Michael Biedenstein - Membership Engagement Manager for National Recreation Parks Association.
Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is a 17-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.Episode Summary:[1:30] Childhood Memories and Birthdays: The group reminisces about birthdays and how special they can be. The conversation then shifts to personal birthday experiences, including some not-so-great memories. [8:07] Introduction to the Guest: The hosts introduce Michael and discuss their close bond with him, especially through annual conferences. They touch upon their shared love for soccer and craft beer.[19:45] Memorable NRPA Conference Experiences: Michael recalls the NRPA Conference in Las Vegas. He shares the story of meeting some of his closest colleagues at that time and how those relationships have grown over the years.[27:30] Transitioning from Practitioner to NRPA Staff: Michael discusses his transition from working directly in parks and recreation to taking a job working in professional association management with NRPA. He explains how the opportunity came, the process, and his co-worker Hayley Herzing. [37:00] Tales from the Road: Michael shares unique experiences from different state conferences he has attended. He highlights the adaptability and resilience of Parks and Rec professionals, especially during unexpected situations. [41:10] Upcoming State Conferences: Michael expresses his excitement about attending upcoming conferences in Georgia and California. He discusses the value of these conferences and the opportunities they offer for networking and professional growth. [41:51] Career Development Boot Camp: A discussion about a session focused on career development. Michael emphasizes the importance of professional growth and how NRPA supports this. [43:05] Transition from Practitioner to Association: Michael reflects on his transition from being a practitioner to working for an association. He shares what he misses most about the direct service to the community. [54:00] The Woking Genius: The group discusses the Working Genius, where they fall within the model, and the importance of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. Michael emphasizes the need to recognize when one is working in areas of joy or frustration and how to navigate that. [1:17:00] Interview Reflections: Reflection on the interview, their relationship with Michael, and how great of a guest Michael was.
