About Us

 

ORC Board Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00pm in the Goppert Building Multi-purpose Room located at 705 W. 15th Street. 

 

 

 

Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available following Board approval. To request a copy of the agenda and/or minutes, please contact Office Manager Glenda Guge at 785-242-1939 or by email at Gguge@orcks.org

 

 

 

The Ottawa Recreation Commission is an autonomous governmental body comprised of a 5-member volunteer Board of Commissioners. Board Members are responsible for representing the interests of the agencies in which they are appointed. The City of Ottawa Commission appoints two members, the USD 290 Board of Education appoints two members, and the four previously mentioned elect a single member-at-large to represent the interests of the local community as a whole. ORC Board Members, by law, are not paid, and volunteer their time to represent the community. The ORC Board of Commissioners meet monthly, and are responsible for establishing the written policies, rules and regulations which govern ORC property, operations, programs, and safety. 

 

The Commission has the authority to hire an Executive Director to oversee the daily operations and functions of the organization on their behalf. The Executive Director assumes full responsibility for overseeing staff, programs, facilities, and the finances of the organization as well as upholding the policies and procedures established by the Board.  

 

 

• Scott Vink - City of Ottawa (Term expires 5/1/2024)
• Casey Chapman (Chair) - At-Large (Term expires 5/1/2026)
• Matt Schurman - USD 290 (Term expires 5/1/2027)
• Bruce Tate - City of Ottawa (Term expires 5/1/2025)
• Ashley Gillaspie (Vice-Chair) - USD 290 (Term expires 5/1/2026)

Individuals who wish to contact the Board are encouraged to email - BoardChair@orcks.org 

 

 

 

Glenda has been with ORC since 2003.  She is a lifelong resident of Franklin County and attended Ottawa schools.  She is a graduate of Johnson County Community College.  Glenda has always been active in the community, and enjoys meeting the public and volunteering.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with family, taking motorcycle trips, and canning.  Glenda and her husband, Scott, have been married for more than 30 years, and have four children. Glenda also has 3 grandkids. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mparenti@orcks.org

 

Matt has been a Kansas resident since second grade in Emporia, Kansas. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1977, and moved to Ottawa in 1985 to work for the Franklin County ambulance service. Matt met and married his wife Theresa in Ottawa. They have three sons, Elias, Caleb and Jared, all of whom have been involved with sports in school and through the ORC all of their lives. Matt has coached all three boys in baseball and wrestling. He has also coached wrestling and baseball in Ottawa for more than 20 years with Mat Masters and the ORC, as well as coaching wrestling for East Kansas at St. James Academy in Shawnee where his youngest son practices. Matt enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, camping and has enjoyed Tech climbing and orienteering competitions. He received his Bachelor’s degree in education from Emporia State University and went on to teach for years in the Olathe school district and in the West Franklin school district. Matt also is a bow tech for Bass Pro in Olathe on an as-needed basis. According to Matt, “My work here at the ORC is as personally rewarding as any job I have ever had, and I feel fortunate to have been selected for this position.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ldiel@orcks.org 

 

Lanny was born and raised in Kiowa, Kansas. He graduated from high school in 1983. Lanny played college football for two years at Garden City Community College and majored in Industrial Arts. He and his wife of 25 years, Chris, have 3 children, Jake, Riley and Cooper. He has worked for Gardner Parks and Recreation for the past 9 years. Lanny is happy to be employed by the ORC in Ottawa. He enjoys his family, fishing and barbecuing.

Ottawa, KS 66067