IPRA Today
Illinois Park and Recreation
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I don’t think that it is too late, or is it? Is there a statute of limitations on setting resolutions? I just spent the past 20 minutes searching for anything within state or federal law preventing me from doing New Year’s resolutions a couple of days late. Since I could not find anything and it does not appear to be a crime to not set resolutions, I am going to set mine today. If you have not set any, allow yourself a day or two to think about yours as well.
Where should I start in regards to resolutions? I realized during the past year that I have picked up a few pounds that other people have lost. Usually I would say finders keepers if I find something, but I would rather say goodbye to these extra pounds. In addition, there have been some friends that I have not spent as much time with as I would like to.
As a result, one of my resolutions will be to spend more time with my friends doing fun things that are physically active. I think I already told one friend I would run in a 5K race with him in June. I guess that means I am already on my way. I also remember telling somebody I was interested in running a marathon with them this year as well. Wow, I guess I will have to do a lot of running to get myself prepared for these two races.
Professionally, there are a number of things I always strive to accomplish. Most importantly, my resolution this year will be to demonstrate my thankfulness for the wonderful opportunity to work with dedicated great people at IPRA and an amazing membership. I am not sure I have always taken enough time to show my appreciation for everybody and the amazing efforts they make at their agencies and in their communities. I cannot delay on this one, so thank you IPRA team members and thank you IPRA members! You are fantastic to work with on our mission to improve the quality of life for the people we serve!
I wish each of you the best of luck in setting and reaching your resolutions. May this year bring great opportunities to reach your personal and professional goals.
-Mike Selep, IPRA Interim CEO
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
The IPRA Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has selected Ms. Jan Arnold to serve as executive director. Jan is tentatively scheduled to start Jan. 24.
The board engaged in a comprehensive process led by the consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA). The search was conducted by Keith Frankland, Ray Morrill, Steve Persinger and Fred Hall of HYA. The process included focus group interviews conducted with past and present leadership of IPRA over two days to determine the qualities and skills we needed in our new executive director. HYA presented several pre-screened candidates to the board that met those qualities and skill sets. Throughout the process the HYA consultants provided direction to ensure the integrity and equity of the process. The board went through two rounds of interviews to determine the best candidate for the position.
Jan comes to us with a diversified leadership background, including past experience as a superintendent at the Wheeling Park District, as a vice president at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, as a recreation specialist for the United States Air Force, as an official for the city of Chicago in the area of aviation and more! Her most recent position was with Jumpstart for Young Children, where she served as executive director.
Jan holds a BS in therapeutic recreation from Murray State University, an MS in sports administration from Indiana University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Please join us on a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 am to hear an interview with Jan so you can learn more about her and her vision for our association. You will receive an IPRA e-blast as we get closer to the date with directions on how to listen in on the webinar.
With Gratitude
On behalf of the IPRA Board of Directors, I’d like to thank Michael Selep for his excellent work as our interim CEO. Mike put in countless hours in to ensure the stabilization and continued success of our association.
The IPRA board is very grateful to Mike for his leadership, dedication and "can-do" attitude. He is without question to be credited for helping to get the association back on track. Thank you to Mike and our IPRA staff for all of their continued efforts.
Looking Forward
Please join me in welcoming and supporting our incoming chair, Ms. LoriKay Paden from the University of Illinois. LoriKay is an energetic, strong and positive leader who is charged and ready to see IPRA into its next chapter. She will assume this role at the end of conference in January.
As my term comes to a close, I’d like to thank the IPRA Board of Directors, IPRA staff and our membership for your amazing strength, support and guidance. It took the efforts of many to get our finances in order, our new strategic plan set and our new executive director at the helm. Our association is set to stand once again as the premier state association in the country serving the leisure service professionals of Illinois!
- Carrie Haupert, Executive Director, Bloomingdale Park District
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Go! Program gives IPRA members the choice of where to recreate as another benefit of their IPRA membership. With your involvement, we’d like to encourage IPRA members to visit other park and recreation agency facilities and to help them lead healthy lifestyles!
Access
The IPRA Go! Program is a shared use program which allows IPRA professional members to access participating park and recreation agency facilities (fitness centers, aquatic facilities) for a reduced cost or for free.
Terms
Park and recreation agencies set their own "terms", i.e. allow an IPRA member to use fitness facilities or classes at half the rate or at the employee rate. It’s completely up to you!
Feedback
We'll encourage members to complete Feedback Forms based off their experiences at the participating facilities. See what other professionals have to say about your facilities and services!
Please get your park and recreation agency involved! Fill out a participation form and return it to IPRA - we’ll add you to the list of participating agencies. You’ll receive an instruction packet, which will include an example of the IPRA Membership Verification Form (which IPRA Members will use as their proof of membership) and reiteration of your terms of participation. Your agency will be identified as a participating member on the IPRA website.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
YMCA Camp Algonquin, Algonquin, IL Feb. 5-6, 2011
Learn how to teach an archery class
- No archery experience necessary
- All equipment provided
- Course covers safety protocols, basic shooting form, intermediate shooting form, recreational archery equipment, teaching an archery class, recreational program management, and more.
Click here for more information & to register
Feb. 10, 10-11 AM
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
Speaker: Barbara Heller, President Heller & Heller Consulting
Why this is important: Having a documented approach to pricing and more sophisticated approaches to pricing results in more program registrations and revenue. Too many agencies leave money on the table with inadequate pricing approaches. Learning Outcomes: Participants will review a pricing template for use in developing a process & will review the nonmonetary opportunities in pricing.
Registration deadline is one week prior to webinar. Webinar access codes and instructions will be emailed one week prior to event.
Click here to register!
May 12, 10-11 AM
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
Speaker: Barbara Heller, President Heller & Heller Consulting
Why this is important: Leadership development is the most critical competency for senior managers. The best agencies devote time and resources to ensure continuity. Learning Outcomes: Participants will identify the most important leadership competencies and will review how to develop a succession management plan.
Registration deadline is one week prior to webinar. Webinar access codes and instructions will be emailed one week prior to event.
Click here to register!
CALENDAR/UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 4, 9 PM - Feb. 5, 5 AM
Location: Chestnut Mountain, 8700 West Chestnut Road, Galena, IL
Contact: Sarah O'Donnell, 847-658-2700
Groups may bring participants between the ages of 11-19. At midnight, Chestnut Mountain is closed to the public and the 140 acres overlooking the Mississippi River are only available to IPRA participants. The terrain is geared for all levels of skiers and boarders.
Click here to download printable form!
Feb. 9, 10 AM - 12 PM
Location: Schaumburg PD Maintenance Facility, 601 Morse Ave, Schaumburg IL 60193
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
CONFERENCE
HOUSING DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Executive Level rooms at the Hilton Chicago are still available - the deadline for reserving those rooms at the group rate is Tuesday, Jan. 11. The deadline for reserving rooms at the Palmer House has also been extended to Tuesday, Jan. 11. After that date, reservations will be made on a space and rate available basis. Housing information is available online by clicking here.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Registration will shut down at midnight on Friday, Jan. 21; registrations not received by Friday, Jan. 21 will be returned. However, onsite registration begins at 7:30 am on Thursday, Jan. 27.
TABLE RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR THE ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS LUNCHEON(Now includes Legislator Tables!)If you have reserved a table(s) for the all-conference awards luncheon, the person who was designated the table contact/coordinator was sent an email with detailed instructions on the table registration process. The table contact/coordinator will assign registered delegates to their reserved table and received their table assignment during the week of Jan. 17; all table assignments are final. Please note that legislator tables are now reserved through this process as well. Also, there will be no onsite table reservations taken.
QUESTIONS, CHANGES, ADDITIONS TO YOUR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION?
Please contact a representative at CTE, our registration company, at either ilparks2-reg@cteusa.com or 847/759-4258.
Students, you won't want to miss this great opportunity to network with professionals in the field. A relaxed, social atmosphere will provide an informal setting to inquire and talk with professionals in your area of interest. Professionals, you were a student at one time with quite a few questions. These students are the future professionals in the field, and you can help by sharing your knowledge and experience.
Click here to download the participation form!
Questions? Please contact:
Wendy M. Craven, CTRS, CPRP
Manager of Support Services
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
Phone: 630/ 681-0962 x 117
Fax: 630/ 681-1262
E-Mail: wendyc@wdsra.com
All you need to do is bring those old, not-so-smart phones to the conference registration area and we will take care of the rest.
SECTION/COMMITTEE INFO
Jan. 19, 2-3:30 PM
Location: Woodridge Park District,2600 Center Drive, Woodridge 60517
Contact: Dan Peboontom, 630-353-3344
Jan. 20, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Location: Jewish Community Centers for Chicago
Contact: Steve Nagle, 847-205-9480
Your body needs to move - exercise is crucial for our health. 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week is enough to keep your body in good shape!
RESOURCES/SURVEYS
The contact information for US Marketing, Inc. was incorrect in the last issue of the magazine - the correct contact information is:
Mr. Jim Bilello
US Marketing, Inc.
875 N Michigan Ave Ste 3100
Chicago, IL 60611
jimbilello@usmarketing.bz
Phone: (312) 794-7901
Website: www.usmarketing.bz
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