Our overall definition of leisure is an activity that helps people escape from their daily troubles and is intrinsically selected. All of our organizations support this definition.
Cochrane Enterprise
- simutis1
My agency’s primary goal/objective is definitely to generate a profit, which most closely relates it to 6 Flags Great America (as far as agencies discussed by our group go). While both agencies deliver their respective leisure services to the public in very different forms, the bottom-line is the same: both agencies offer different kinds of leisure services to those desiring and able to utilize those services (whether for recreation, stress relief, general thrill-seeking, etc.).
The most substantial contrast between my agency and another on this blog can be seen with ‘Common Threads’, a non-profit, volunteer-work-supported agency. While both are leisure service providers, there is a clear division because of the fact that my agency (like 6 Flags) is much more commercial. Patron spending financially fuels the operation of Cochrane Enterprise. To some degree, this is a weakness of my agency because should the student body suddenly decide that it no longer has use for the campus bars or is unwilling to spend its money at them, Cochrane Enterprise has no additional form(s) of leisure service provision.
Just like the ARC (another agency discussed on our group’s blog), this agency is out to meet the demands of those on campus, which I believe it definitely can and does. For example, after a long and stressful exam-filled week, a student may want nothing more than to just kick-back with some friends, have a few drinks, and let loose out on a Friday night. Cochrane Enterprise certainly makes this possible by operating campus establishments such as Firehaus, the Clybourne, and more. In contrast to going out, spending money, and drinking with friends, that very same student may want to get up the next morning and workout which they can go and do at the ARC. While all of the different agencies provide their own individual forms of leisure, they are all networked together as society’s leisure service deliverer since so many varying forms of leisure can be desired by a society.
U.S. Army MWR: Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command
nmatwij2
The objective of U.S. Army MWR: Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) is to provide soldiers with the same quality of life as is afforded the society they are pledged to defend. Thus, this agency primarily serves soldiers in the U.S. army and their families. The agency fulfills it purpose by providing a variety of recreational services that encourage activity, creativity and skill development. The agency improves soldier morale by considering the experiences soldiers go through overseas and how they must adjust to life when they return. For instance, the agency incorporated a bungee jumping activity to provide the soldiers with the adrenaline rush they experienced overseas on a daily basis. The key program elements include fitness programs, outdoor recreation, family recreation, libraries and information services, leisure travel, and child and youth programs. FMWRC has two types of funding: appropriated funds and non-appropriated funds. Appropriated funs are tax funds approved by Congress, whereas non-appropriated funds are generated on the military base. One method FMWRC uses to obtain non-appropriated funds is by charging its soldiers a subscription fee to use the Internet. This subscription is very flexible and can be purchased on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
FMWRC is differentiated from other organizations in the fact that it not only provides recreational activities for soldiers, but it is also focused on providing recreational services for children and families of the soldiers. Furthermore, FMWRC maintains “First Choice” MWR products and services. In addition, the organization is international, while the other organizations our group analyzed are more local. For instance, the ARC is a local agency and Common Thread is concentrated in the Chicagoland area. One of FMWRC’s strength is that it offers a wide variety of recreational services to the people it serves. Similar to the ARC, FMWRC goes beyond offering fitness programs by providing its target audience with clubs, restaurants, leisure travel, automotive skill development, and camping. Although the target audience of the two organizations’ differs (students vs. soldiers and family), both do a great job accommodating their services to their audiences. In contrast, Common Threads offers few, very specific programs to help educate kids on proper nutrition and overall wellbeing.
Although FMWRC has several strengths, it also possesses weaknesses. One of the organization’s weaknesses is that not all of its services are free to the people it serves. Unlike Common Threads, which is nearly free to all of its participants, FMWRC participants are sometimes charged fees and rentals to receive access to certain services, such as the Internet or lodging. In addition, the application for employment at the organization is very competitive and most positions require the applicant to have prior experience. The ARC and Common Thread are less restrictive in applicants having prior experience, although it does help to differentiate oneself. However, FMWRC positions are paid while Common Thread seems to be more of a voluntary position. Based on our group’s definition of leisure, FMWRC fits into the Leisure Delivery System because it provides soldiers and their families with numerous activities to help them escape from their daily troubles. More specifically, the organization helps soldiers cope with returning home. Moreover, participants choose to do certain activities that FMWRC has to offer. The organization does not force participants to perform activities they do not want to.
The DIA
Qureshi3
In researching different leisure service providers I found that there were three providers within our group that had a lot in common, these three were the Activities and Recreation Center on campus, the I-Hotel, and the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. All three of these agencies help make the University of Illinois and the surrounding Champaign-Urbana community a better place for students, residents of the area, and alumni of the university. Each agency has a different goal or objective however all correlate back to the same thing, making the University of Illinois a better place for everyone associated with it. For example, the goal of the ARC is to provide a place for students and other members to experience leisure on campus. In contrast, the I Hotel offers a home away from home for guests and also helps showcase the University of Illinois to people who are visiting or are on business trips. In addition, since it has a joint relationship with the University of Illinois they host many on campus events for students and faculty as well. Finally, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics tries to provide a great experience for University of Illinois students as well as those in the surrounding community with the athletic events that take place on campus. In many of their events they try to incorporate the entire Champaign-Urbana community in order to give them an escape from their everyday hassles. As you can see these three agencies are very similar in that they all try to help promote the positive lifestyle here on the campus of the University of Illinois.
Although these organizations all try to impact the University of Illinois in a positive manner, they all have to go about doing so in different ways. First, all of these agencies are funded in a slightly different manner. The ARC is for the majority is student run as well as student operated; however since it is operated by a public institution the majority of the funding would come from either tuition, state funding, or donations. Second, although the I Hotel has a close relationship with the university for the most part it is funded on its own through the conferences it hosts and the guests who stay there. Finally, the University of Illinois DIA is operated by funding from ticket and merchandise sales, as well as sponsorships and donations. The key element that sets the University of Illinois DIA apart from the others is that they create an atmosphere on campus that none of the other agencies can create. For example, a football Saturday in Champaign is incredible. Thousands of people come from around the state to support their Fighting Illini football team. Neither the I Hotel nor the Arc can say that they put on events like this six times a year. However, the ARC and I Hotel do have a strength in that they are used year around and not just on specific days of the year. Also, a variety of people use their facilities, not just those interested in athletics.
Finally, there are many strengths and weakness that set each separate agency apart from the others as a leisure service provider. One strength the University of Illinois DIA has is that it is able to incorporate students, alumni, fans, and people in the Champaign Urbana area into its activities. When there is an athletic event going on the University of Illinois DIA is able to provide an escape from the real world for those attending the event. A weakness of the DIA would be that not everyone on campus is always involved. There are many students on campus that would do many other things than attend a sporting event. However, in that time many students may go workout at the ARC or attend a conference or a career fair at the I Hotel. One strength is the ARC has the ability to provide a variety of events and activities for students throughout the year. Finally the I Hotel is able to provide an escape for the business professionals who may not be in college anymore, but want to find a place to unwind after a long day of meetings. As one can see each of these organizations, the University of Illinois DIA, the I Hotel, and the ARC have a niche here on the campus of the University of Illinois and each is able to fulfill its goal or purpose. The ARC is able to provide a place for students to workout, or attend different activities or meetings. The University of Illinois DIA is able to provide events that enhance campus life as well as the lives of those in the surrounding community, and last but not least the I Hotel is able to provide a place for business professionals to meet as well as unwind. As you can see each of these agencies are able to help enhance the University of Illinois campus, each in their own unique way. This leads to our group definition of leisure which is, leisure is an activity that helps people escape from their daily troubles and is intrinsically selected. It is obvious that all three of these leisure service providers are able to help their clients achieve this in the services that they provide.
Nisar Qureshi
The I-hotel and Conference Center
zhao44@illinois.edu
The objective of I hotel and conference center is providing a homey environment for guests to relax and feel happy. I hotel is a private hospitality institution but because of its special location, I hotel also has a cooperation with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The majority of its customers are come here for business, academic conferences. These super busy professionals can easily escape from work and family pressure, relax themselves as they want though the leisure services I hotel provides.
In I Hotel, people can enjoy a variety of leisure. Having a relaxing massage in the SPA center after a super long meeting; playing chess in the main lounge when waiting for visitors or bus; Sitting at the balcony to bath the sunshine and taste some sweet cookies during the afternoon tea time. In addition, I hotel offers some unique services with the help of U of I. Guests can take I hotel shuttle to have a campus tour. They can take off the suits, just lying on the quad, recalling their past college life. Also, they can watch a Fighting Illini football game within five minutes walking distance. Enjoy the intense game, cheer and shout to release their pressure. Moreover, they can go to the ARC by shuttle. They can completely relax themselves in the Olympic standard swimming pool or gain some excitement in rock climbing. With the help of I hotel and U of I, people can completely get away from the miserable meeting and countless tasks, and follow their hearts to enjoy life.
In all, one of the strengths of I hotel is it builds a multi-functional leisure service system, guests can have spa, play games, hang out with friends in the bar provided by inside hotel leisure services, I hotel also fully uses its advantage in position and great neighbor U of I, it expands leisure services outside hotel, provides services like Olympic-standard swimming pool which even a five-diamond hotel may not able to provide. Each coin has two sides. Some guests may only have a short time to work out and feel working out in ARC takes so much time in waiting for the shuttle. Then they give up. If I hotel has its own small swimming pool and gym, those people can work out whenever they want to. Providing more accessible and flexible leisure service is what I hotel need to seriously consider and improve. In short, I hotel, although just opens for one year, it has already set an excellent leisure service system, does its best to fulfill the needs of the guests. Guests in I hotel will not be forced by work, family, money or fame, as well as play for a specific social role. They are just themselves. Temporarily forget their duties in family and career, escape form the real world, and enjoy the world of leisure which I hotel creates for them.
Related to other team cinco assignments 2:
Kelly’s Arc: “The main benefit of the facility is it gives students and members a place to go to relieve stress and stay healthy through exercise or playing sports.” —Kelly Gilloffo, Campus recreation program: the ARC
I hotel guests can take shuttle provided by the hotel to work out in Arc, this is a highlight in I hotel’s leisure service. As mentioned in Kelly’s article, guests can release their pressure and have fun in swimming, climbing, playing ball games. etc
Nisar’s DIA: “It seems as though the University Of Illinois Division Of Intercollegiate Athletics’ definition of leisure is a great atmosphere in which the students and public can cheer on their beloved university while being able to focus on the event at hand without any distraction.”—Nisar Qureshi, The sport management organization: the University of Illinois DIA
During their living in I hotel, guests can go to the assembly hall or memorial stadium to enjoy the most exciting basketball and football game. They can cheer for the team together with U of I students, enjoy the great atmosphere DIA creates for them, as the definition of DIA Nisar mentioned in his article.
Six Flags
Alexis Aguilar
Six Flags:
The goals of this agency is to provide a safe, clean, entertainment park. It is funded by investors and the money of hard-working middle class Americans. This agency reaches every demographic and almost every age group. The key element that separates this agency from the next is that its the largest regional theme park in the nation and has different and unique things to do there. Its strength is that it is a fun place to go when you are looking for a good thrill but its major weakness is that it's too expensive, especially in this economy. I think it does fulfill its objective because it is clean and fun, people go back year after year and its a business that has made money and stayed afloat in these tough times.
Common Threads:
The goal of this agency is to teach kids the importance and fundamentals of nutrition, teach them about physical well being and to help kids make smart and healthy food choices. Common Threads is funded through fundraising and by donations from restaurants who believe in the cause. They serve children ages 8 to 12 years old from lower income families. The key element that separates this agency from the rest is that its nonprofit and meant to teach kids about making healthful choices and gives them a hands-on leisure experience they can learn from. The strength of this agency is that its expanding to other cities, which ultimately means they are still successful through this economy and that they are able to reach more kids. Every year there are thousands of participants, so yes, this agency has fulfilled its objective.
Connections with the ARC:
The goal for this agency is to provide a safe place for students to play, work out, relieve stress and help college students to get on the right path for healthy living. The ARC is funded by the students through fees included in the tuition and I'm sure through donations by patrons and alumni. This agency is primarily for the students since it was because of their input/opinions/ideas that it has everything it has today. The key element that separates the ARC from other recreational facilities is that it is one of the largest in the nation that is not shared with Athletics and they offer so much variety designed for your health and well being. I think the agency definitely fulfills its purpose because thousands of students use the facilities every day and that was its intended purpose. Overall each agency has different means of staying afloat financially, but they are all successful in what they offer in recreation.
Common Threads
mille191@illinois.edu
Common Threads and non-profit organizations in general are very important leisure service providers in American society. Common Threads was created to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being. They do this by getting kids involved in cooking and teaching them how to live a healthy lifestyle. The organization has succeeded in their mission as children involved with Common Threads have reported significant changes in their lifestyle choices due to the organizations involvement. Common Threads is much like all other non-profit organizations in that it is funded exclusively by the people. Common Threads host many fundraising events, and also receive personal donations to help fund the agency.
The influence of Common Threads is felt by the children, as well as the community as a whole. Serving the community both directly and indirectly is one of the main strengths of Common Threads as a leisure service provider. This allows Common Threads to expand its influence beyond the classroom and into the homes of many people that are living unhealthy lifestyles. A potential weakness of Common Threads as a leisure service provider is that they strictly teach children. However, Common Threads believes that the children involved with the organization will influence future generations by setting an example for them. What really sets this agency apart from other non-profit organizations is the active involvement and motivation from the staff. Volunteers and guest chef’s go well beyond the norm to help stress the importance of cooking and living healthy to the children. These volunteers make the experience for the children both educational and fun.
The definition of leisure for Common Threads and non-profit organizations alike is very similar to the definition discussed by other leisure service delivery systems. The definition for Common Threads is most similar to that of the one provided for Campus Recreation. Both leisure service agencies promote healthy living and lifelong benefits to the public. This definition also goes hand in hand with what the U.S. army leisure program promotes. The U.S. army program helps to increase quality of life, while also providing stress free living for the participants. Leisure delivery systems are all structured differently, but the benefits of their services remain the same. Leisure delivery systems provide people the opportunity to live a happy and a healthy life free of stress.
The ARC
gilloff1@illinois.edu
The main objective of this agency is to create a place that students and faculty can go to stay fit and to create a healthy lifestyle. The ARC is funded through membership fees and part of a student’s tuition at U of I goes towards funding the ARC. Students, faculty, and members are served by this agency. The ARC is the third largest gym on a college campus in the country. It gives students a pool, cardio equipment, weights, fitness classes, intramurals, and so much more. This is known as one of the best work out facilities for students at a university. The ARC does fulfill its purposes because there is so much offered to students and members. From the pool to classes to gyms and places to play sports, you will never be bored. This one building provides students with a place to go to release stress and provides them with a place to escape from their busy school life, while they can still have fun.
There are some strengths that the ARC has as a leisure provider. For example, they provide a place for students to go and get fit and release stress. It is good because students are stressed from classes and this is a safe place to go to release their stress, while getting healthy in the process. This is also like the DIA, which is the division of intercollegiate athletes, because their goal is to help keep students healthy too. They also want to provide a place for students to go through playing sports or watching sports that will give them memories for a lifetime. The only weakness of the ARC is that the fitness classes are not free, which could make students not want to participate in these classes.
The ARC is connected to a lot of the other organizations because a lot of them deal with students and people. For example, the ARC and the DIA both deal with students and providing leisure activities for them. They offer a place that helps with releasing stress and providing memories that the students will always remember. The ARC is also connected with Six Flags because they both provide safe places for students to go and have fun and enjoy their leisure activities. Overall, all of these organizations help back up our definition of leisure because they all provide activities that help people escape from their daily troubles and these activities are intrinsically selected.
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