From award winning LERN members, here are three Best Practices this year.
Best Staffing Practice
Recruitment and retention of staff, including part-time and temporary summer staff, is now one of the top issues in the field. A Recruitment Fair is one key element in a new initiative by the most innovative programs to nurture and retain staff.
The City of Concord, California, Recreation Services won the LERN International Award for 2025 for best staffing practice. Barbie Gary and Torey Scott received the award for the program.
A two minute video with images and more on the award is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/2rR3z4QI3SA
Best Brochure and Website
Brochures and websites are the two most visible and important ways programs represent themselves to the community. This program has advanced the best practices in both brochures and websites to a new level programs.
Main Line School Night in Radnor, Pennsylvania, won the LERN International Award for 2025 for the best brochure and website. Jane Rutman received the award for the program.
A two minute video with images and more on the award is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4txMLR2zm1U
Best Operations Restructuring
Every organization needs to centralize operations and streamline processes and procedures to become more efficient, especially with limited staff. Even with staff cutbacks and adding the whole transition with overworked staff, Parkland College Community Education did it.
As a result, they saved valuable staff time and boosted effectiveness.
Parkland College Community Education in Champaign, Illinois, won the LERN International Award for the best restructuring of operations and staffing. Amy Fleshner received the award for the program.
A two minute video with images and more on the award is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/OquVpX91W10
