Demonstrate the power of parks and recreation through NRPA’s 2011 “Rock Your Park” Flash Mob Contest.  Questions?  E-mail july@nrpa.org.

 

What is a Flash Mob? 

A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, and perform an unusual act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment and/or satire.  First attempted in 2003, Flash Mobs have become an internet phenomenon.  Combined with social media, Flash Mobs can send a powerful message. 

Here is a great example of flash mob goes “green,” which took place in Canada in 2011.

          Watch the Flash Mob Video 

Contest Categories

NRPA will choose one winner in each of the following categories:

1. Public Park and Recreation Agency (local/county/state/Special District, etc.)
2. Citizen/Non-Agency/Community Group

Contest Rules

1. Gather a group together (from 10 to thousands) and visit any local park or recreation facility.  Please make sure you are following the rules of the park and that your activities are legal!  
2. “Show the power of parks” together in Flash Mob form through any of the following:  music, exercise, dance, chanting, hiking, aerobics, biking, group driving range, calisthenics, etc.  The official 2011 Rock Your Park poster must be visible for a minimum of 5 seconds.
3. Post a video of your Flash Mob on YouTube. Participating individual organizers and agencies will need to have an active YouTube account (accounts are free).  Be sure to note the link for your YouTube video, as it will need to be provided in the contest entry form.  To register for a YouTube account, go to www.youtube.com.  
4. Fill out and submit our online entry form.  **Submission deadline was originally Aug. 1, but has been extended to Friday, Aug. 5, to allow for post production. 

Terms and Conditions 

NRPA reserves the right to disqualify any submissions that do not adhere to the guidelines below.  The individual who submits the entry form must be at least 18 years of age on or before May 2, 2011.

1. The video must not contain material that infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity, or intellectual property. 
2. The video must not include brand names or trademarks.
3. The video must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, slanderous, or libelous.
4. The video must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred, or harm against any group or individual, or promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age.
5. The video must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state where video is created.
6. Please follow all YouTube rules and regulations when creating and posting your material.
7. NRPA is not responsible for any bodily injury or harm, destruction or loss of property, or monetary loss that may result from participation.

Entry Requirements

Length:  Event can be any length, but please keep your video entry to approximately 1:30 minutes.
Visuals:  The official 2011 Rock Your Park poster must be visible for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Format:  Please make sure the quality of your video is sufficient for general viewing.  NRPA may request a copy for public viewing at the 2011 NRPA Congress.

Eligibility

You do not need to be a member of NRPA to be eligible.  The individual who signs the online entry form must be a U.S. Resident and at least 18 years of age on or before July 31, 2011. 

Judging Criteria 

Winners will be chosen for creativity and approach, focusing specifically on how the activity brought people together in the place or space, and how well the activity embraces an aspect of parks and recreation.  The winner will be announced online, and via e-mail on Aug. 12, 2011. 

The Glory

One winning agency* and one winning non-agency** group will receive the following: 

1. Feature in the September digital and print editions of Parks & Recreation Magazine.
2. Featured on the NRPA website and linked from NRPA’s YouTube page.
3. Public showing of video at NRPA’s 2011 Congress & Exposition in Atlanta, Ga.

*Winning agency will receive one free full Congress Package for the 2011 Congress & Exposition in Atlanta, Ga. 

**Winning non-agency/citizen group will be featured in the America’s Backyard Facebook page and website. 

PSA Terms of Use 

All participants are encouraged to post their videos on social media, and use the videos in whatever ways they see fit to generate as wide an audience as possible.  Spread the word!  In turn, by submitting your entry, you also grant NRPA full rights to use the videos in whatever ways the association chooses in relation to promotions, programs, and events, now and in the future.