Don't Let Change Pass You By
Just like the Chicago weather, parks and recreation is changing. The big change is retirement. In the United States the Boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 per day and plenty of those Boomers are in the field of parks and recreation. At this writing there are 5 Executive Director positions open in the metropolitan Chicago area all due to retirements. That is a major loss of experience in our profession.
The big question, do we have the educational opportunities to properly train professionals to fill this void? The answer is a big Yes. The just completed 2012 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference provided a wide variety of educational sessions, workshops, and hands on learning opportunities to advance the profession.
The opportunities for continuing education are plentiful. The 2012 IPRA education calendar is available on the IPRA website and now is the time to begin to set the dates aside and register for the programs that will help advance your career.
On April 20th IPRA will offer an IPRA Education Institute at the Doubletree Chicago-Oakbrook. Craig Hickman, co-author of the "Oz Principle" will be the featured speaker. He will focus on getting results through individual and organizational accountability. The registration fee is only $40 and includes lunch and .4 CEU’s.
In October IPRA will launch a newly created Leadership Academy. The Academy is an intensive six month program that can benefit you regardless of what stage you are in your career. This program will meet one full day per month for 6 months providing the skills for professionals to become top administrators in our field.
These are just two of the many educational offerings provided by IPRA in 2012. Professional development is a personal commitment to lifelong learning. Are you ready to make that commitment? If you want to be part of that change that is coming and prepare yourself for a successful future don’t miss these educational opportunities. Don’t let change pass you by. Become part of the leadership in parks and recreation.
John Curran, IPRA Chairman of the Board
Director, Tinley Park Park District