A membership in GAHPERD gives practicing health and physical education educators and professionals in the fields of recreation and dance a distinct advantage by providing them with numerous opportunities for enhancing professional development, increasing advocacy efforts, and networking with peers.

GAHPERD also gives its members the opportunity to receive professional recognition, obtain financial assistance, acquire pertinent literature, and collaborate with other health related organizations
 
 
 
What does GAHPERD do to help me as a professional?
 
Professional Growth and Training Opportunities
 

• Hosts annual State Convention and sponsors the GAHPERD Summer Institute providing a number of learning opportunities in all areas relating to health and physical education
• Sponsors and endorses workshops, clinics, mini-conferences, and professional meetings
• Makes available opportunities to present information at workshops and conventions
• Provides opportunities to publish and present papers
• Offers elected positions for those that would like to represent the Executive Board and make decisions on issues that affect health and physical education in our state

Advocacy, Professional Support and Promotion
 

• Pushed to establish and maintain the State Coordination position for Health and Physical Education at the Georgia Board of Education
• Advocated for the new Student Health and Physical Education Act being put into law in the Spring of 2009
• Provides members with updated advocacy information
• Pushes to have your opinion count in Atlanta and Washington, DC by providing continuous legislative efforts using a unified voice

• Provides teachers and schools with promotional ideas and information for health and physical education
• Supports quality daily physical education
• Provides PLU/SDU credits through workshops and conventions
• Promotes State and National Physical Education and Sport Month

 
Networking and Peer Communication
 

• Brings together a network of professionals with common interests
• Developed a new, updated GAHPERD Web Site (up and running in April, 2009), with the ability to distribute email and communicate with other GAHPERD members 
• Establishes a support network of your peers
• Helps to develop friendships and long-lasting peer relationships

 
Professional Recognition
 

• Presents Honor Awards to GAHPERD members who have demonstrated distinguished professional accomplishments.
• Presents awards to outstanding professionals in the areas of Elementary Physical Education, Middle School Physical Education, Secondary Physical Education, Dance Education, Health Education and Recreation, and participates in the District and National Educators of the Year programs.
• Presents Distinguished Service Awards to non-GAHPERD members who make significant contributions to any or all aspects of GAHPERD.
• Supports student members and presents an award to the Outstanding Student Majors Club.

 
Professional Literature
 

• Publishes and distributes the GAHPERD Journal. The GAHPERD Journal is published 3 times a year and includes news, editorials, teaching tips, GAHPERD information, peer-reviewed (refereed) articles, columns, invited articles and more.
• Publishes and distributes the newsletter the GAHPERD newsletter, THE GAME, which is published 4 times a year.

 
Financial Assistance
 

• Awards grants and scholarships to enhance your programs at your school
• Provides financial assistance to selected professionals for research through a research grant program.
• Provides financial assistance to selected college students, who are prospective future professionals, through a scholarship program.

 
Collaboration and Coordination with other Organizations
 

• Collaborates and communicates with the State Coordinator of Health and Physical Education in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Education
• Sponsors “Jump Rope for Heart” with the American Heart Association.
• Coordinates activities between the National, Southern District and State Associations

 
It is clear that the benefits of becoming a member of GAHPERD are many, including opportunities for professional development and getting the chance to meet and share with others within our professional field. GAHPERD shares our national organization AAPHERD’s purpose in bringing together educators, administrators, researchers, students and others with career interests in its specialized fields. With the new Georgia Student Health and Physical Education Act being put into law in the spring of 2009, the stage is set for us to boost the membership rate for GAHPERD this year and truly enhance the programs that currently exist. If you are a current member, please become an advocate for GAHPERD and help guide others to become members this year and encourage them to come to the convention this fall in Marietta.

Why Should you join GAHPERD ……because the benefits are valuable and your membership helps makes a difference for us all!
 
 
Pete Charrette
GAHPERD Public Relations Coordinator