IPRA Today

Illinois Park and Recreation

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

During these meetings, I am always excited to hear how IPRA has helped you grow as a professional as well as discuss ways that IPRA can add value to your membership. But my travels are not over. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with each of you and the members of your team, so give me a call and we can schedule a visit.

Based on the feedback that I have received from members, IPRA has renewed its commitment to helping our members improve their skills and to learn new techniques and approaches, which will allow them to perform their job with a higher level of confidence and efficiency. We have launched our updated 2011 training calendar, which includes new training offerings as well as updated classics. I do hope that you take a look at the training calendar and identify one or more trainings that you can benefit from over the next several months. IPRA will continue to create additional training opportunities and add to the training calendar as we secure presenters and locations. If there is a topic that you would like to see added, please let me know. We want to offer professional development opportunities that meet your needs and desires!

We are also in the midst of planning for the 2012 IAPD/IPRA State Conference. We have reviewed the evaluation comments and are looking at ways to create an even better conference for you. If there are specific topics or speakers that you would like to see at conference, please make sure that you provide IPRA with your suggestions. IPRA staff will be working with members over the next few months to identify topics and speakers that will enhance the quality of offerings in 2012.

Lastly, IPRA staff are looking at ways to improve communications with our members. We have started sending out targeted emails to promote trainings and seek feedback. Please help us make IPRA a member-focused organization by providing suggestions and helping shape our member services.

Thanks again for your suggestions and support. I look forward to continuing to partner with each of you to create a successful IPRA.

Best,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association

 
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

We have four committees currently working or creating the plan to move forward: Governance Task Force, Education Committee, Administrative Policy Committee and Member Communication Committee. This past month we have made our biggest strides in our area of governance.

1.Governance Task Force – This task force, chaired by John Curran of the Tinley Park Park District, includes John Wilson, John Hecker, Mary Fran Leno, Bill Clevenger and IPRA staff. The team is diligently combing through our by-laws to update and modify them to assure we are operating legally and most efficiently as an association. While another team: Gary Balling, Chuck Szoke, Steve Neil, Mary Jean Hutchinson and IPRA Staff, are carefully creating a model to better connect our members and sections in efforts to provide a more streamlined and integrated IPRA. Section leaders will be meeting with the task force to unveil the plan for our new vision, and how we will unite for a stronger

2.Education Committee – Led by Rick Hanetho, the Education Committee is currently being carefully crafted with a diverse, interdisciplinary group of professionals to assure we are developing a well-rounded, meaningful and powerful education system. We are currently interviewing members, evaluating other agencies and our past successes and struggles. As we build our base and our team, we will keep you posted on the plan to provide you with the best educational opportunities within the state and nationally.

3.Administrative Policy Committee - Led by Mike Sletten, the Administrative Policy Committee also includes Nancy Aldrich, Rhonda Brewer, Joe DeLuce, Sue Rini, Amy Riva and Craig Talsma. They will be meeting this month to provide recommendations to bring this training and procedural information up to date.

4.Member Communication Committee – Allison Niemela is leading the charge of pulling together this team to recommend a better communication system for IPRA, including information distribution, awareness, logo and the website. Initial steps involve the implementation of focus groups and interviews to assess and obtain user information. A progress report will be available next month.

It’s not too late – if you want to get involved this year, we still have plenty of opportunities! Please let us know. As always, your input and support is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me
at anytime – lkpaden@illinois.edu.

-LoriKay Paden, Academic Advisor - Recreation Sport Tourism & IPRA Chairman of the Board

 
NEWS YOU CAN USE

Last year, facilities who used the PGA Family Course Grant realized an average of $8,200 in additional revenue.

To be eligible to receive the NRPA/PGA Family Course Grant, your organization must agree to:
• Offer Get Golf Ready programs, both group lessons and beginner outings, and promote these as recreational opportunities for your community;
• Utilize PGA Performance Trak on a monthly basis to report and track rounds played and other key performance indicators (KPI) data for your organizations' golf course;
• Complete and return a short post program participation survey supplied by NRPA.

The application deadline is April 22, 2011.  Recipients of the grant will be notified by May 6, 2011.

For additional information on NRPA’s partnership with PGA, click here.

Questions?  Contact Colleen Pittard at 703.858.4741

 

How did you learn about the field of parks & recreation? Were you a lifeguard or a camp counselor as a high school student? Did you work part time in the summers and have a great boss who told you about parks & recreation as a college major? Did you "fall into" this career?

The IPRA College & University Relations Committee has launched a campaign to recruit young people into the field of Parks & Recreation. Acknowledging that this is often a "discovery" career - many high school & college aged students often do not realize that it is a planned course of study - the CURC partnered with Greg Bizarro of Jaffe Films to produce an informational iCD that can be shown to agency staff (lifeguards, day camp counselors, etc.)

The video is also available online.  Be sure to check out the "Day in the Life" videos!

Click here for an iCD request form!

Questions? Please contact Heather Weishaar

Audience: High school/college age
Purpose: To promote careers that are park and recreation specific, as well as careers in parks and recreation that involve other disciplines. Educate young adults about the viability of Parks & Recreation as a career path. Provide accurate and compelling information about Parks & Recreation as a career and direct them to additional resources.

 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Event Date: April 12, 2011 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911

Speaker: Mike Gianatasio, Recreation Supervisor at the Lisle Park District

Why this is important: Teen camps can be a great experience for the participants. This age group is often neglected in this field and this webinar is a good starting point for anyone interested in starting a teen camp.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will gain a better understanding of how to start and maintain a camp for middle school aged teens. Participants will also learn activities and field trip ideas, how to hire the right staff and how to figure out what type of teen camp will work for your agency.

Contact Heather Weishaar in order to register.  Webinar access codes and instructions will be emailed 1 week prior to event.

 

Event Date: April 18, 2011 8:00 AM - April 20, 2011 5:00 PM
Location: South Barrington Park District, Community Center, 3 Tennis Club Lane, Barrington
Contact: Sheila Mulvey-Tatoris

 

Event Date: April 19, 2011 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911

Speaker: John Engh, CEO of the National Alliance for Youth Sports

This webinar, geared toward recreation professionals, analyzes a proactive 4-step approach to managing your program’s volunteer youth sports coaches through 1. Screening 2. Training 3. Evaluation 4. Accountability. What procedures do you have in place to ensure coaches are well-prepared for their role? Even more, are they representing your program’s philosophies?

Learning Outcomes: Participants will discuss obstacles that relate to youth sports coach management. Participants will gain insight on developing policies for evaluation and accountability of volunteer youth sports coaches.

Registration deadline is 1 week prior to webinar (April 12, 2011). Webinar access codes and instructions will be emailed 1 week prior to event.

Click here to register!

 

Event Date: April 19, 2011 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill St. Huntley, IL 60142
Contact: Mike Selep, 630-376-1911

Click here to download printable form!

Click here to register!

 

Event Date: April 21, 2011 9:00 AM -  4:00 PM
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign
Contact: LoriKay Paden, 217.244.2695

Topics discussed this year will include:

  1. Student section networking and professional development opportunities for 2011 and 2012 Soaring to New Heights Conference.
  2. Internships and the Law - how programs can develop better internship programs to meet the needs of students and agencies and stay current with laws regarding internships.
  3. Recruitment and Retention - provide information regarding resources available to help better recruit potential students into university programs throughout the state of Illinois to better prepare tomorrow's work force.
  4. Sports Management Impact - explore the impacts of increased numbers in sports management programs. What is available for graduates in this program?


For information on the IPRA CURC Committee, please contact Lee Ann Fisk or Laura Payne

Click here to download printable form!

 

Event Date: April 28, 2011 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911

Speaker: Colleen Lammel-Harmon, RD, LDN, CPRP, ACE PT, Wellness Manager at the Chicago Park District

Learning Outcomes: Participants will understand methods to partner with outside organizations to efficiently expand programs and will learn to join forces to provide more physical activities and healthy food choices in an attempt to change policy and prevent obesity.

Registration deadline is 1 week prior to webinar (April 21, 2011). Webinar access codes and instructions will be emailed 1 week prior to event.

Click here to register!

 
CALENDAR/UPCOMING EVENTS

Date: May 5, 2011 - 9:30 AM
Location: Berens Park, 493 Oaklawn Ave, Elmhurst, IL
Contact: Bret Fahnstrom, 847-297-3000

Click here to download printable form!

 

Date: July 20, 2011 - 1:20 PM
Location: Wrigley Field
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911

Order Deadline: June 3, 2011

Tickets will be mailed directly from the Chicago Cubs approx. 7-10 days prior to the game date. If anyone in your group requires wheelchair accessible seats, you must notify IPRA in writing prior to the June 3, 2011 deadline date. There will be no changes to ticket orders after June 3, 2011.

T-Ball Event: Teams MUST pre-register. Instructions & match-ups will be mailed after June 3 registration deadline.

For all teams participating in t-ball, be aware that the Chicago Cubs and/or the Illinois Park & Recreation Association has the authority to cancel the event due to conditions that might affect the well being of the participants. By registering for the t-ball exhibition, you agree to abide by this policy.

Click here to register!

 

Date: July 27, 2011 - 1:10 PM
Location: US Cellular Field
Contact: Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911

Order Deadline: June 13, 2011

Tickets will be mailed directly from the Chicago White Sox approx. 7-10 days prior to the game date. If anyone in your group requires wheelchair accessible seats, you must notify IPRA in writing prior to the June 13, 2011 deadline date. There will be no changes to ticket orders after June 13, 2011.

Click here to register!

 
JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Job Title:  Superintendent of Parks
Closing Date:  Open until filled
Agency:  Naperville Park District

Job Title:  Museum Supervisor
Closing Date:  Open until filled
Agency:  Downers Grove Park District

Job Title:  Recreation Supervisor
Closing Date:  04/17/2011
Agency:  Rockwood School District

Job Title:  Trades Assistant Manager
Closing Date:  4/22/2011
Agency:  Northbrook Park District

Job Title:  Aquatics Maintenance Supervisor
Closing Date:  04/30/2011
Agency:  Fox Valley Park District

Job Title:  BMW Championship Tickets FORE! Charity Intern Administrator
Closing Date:  Open
Agency:  BMW Championship

Job Title:  BMW Championship Tournament Sales & Marketing Intern
Closing Date:  Open
Agency:  Western Golf Association

 
SECTION/COMMITTEE INFO
Avoid sunburns - whenever you go out, carry your sunblock with you. It has been proven that sunburns are directly connected to skin cancer.
 

Date: April 8, 2011 - 1:00 PM
Location: Rolling Meadows Park District,3705 Pheasant Dr, Rolling Meadows
Contact: Alisa Kapusinski, 847-781-3631

Please contact Alisa if you're interested in attending.

 

Date: April14, 2011 - 11:00 AM
Location: Midlothian Park District, Raday Lodge, 145th & Kedzie Avenue, Midlothian
Contact: Erin Lymch,  708-389-9423

 

 

Date: April 15, 2011 - 9:30 AM
Location: Conference Call
Contact: Lori Neubauer

Please contact Lori Neubauer for conference call information.

 

Date: April 15, 2011 - 1:00 PM
Location: Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West
Contact: Jessica Alexenko

Back to brochures is the topic. Please bring samples of your brochures, bid specs, and printer recommendations. If you have specific discussion requests on this topic, please email them to jalexenko@obparks.org by Friday, April 8.

 

Date: April 20, 2011 - 2:00 PM
Location: Lisle Park Disrtict,1825 Short Street, Lisle
Contact: Dan Peboontom, 630-353-3344

 

 

Date: April 21, 2011 - 11:00 AM
Location: TBA
Contact: Keely Childress

Dates for 2011: Feb 17, April 21, June 16, Aug 18, Oct 20 and Dec 15.

 

Date: April 21, 2011 -11:00 AM
Location: Crystal Lake Park District, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL
Contact: Cathi Fabjance, 847-818-3220

 

 
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