IPRA Today
Illinois Park and Recreation
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
But your accomplishments are more than the state-of-the-art facilities that have been built or the new programs that are being provided. Your accomplishments are reflected in your ability to strengthen and support the communities in which you are located.
Traditionally, parks have been seen as physical places that provide open space, recreation facilities and programming. While these are vital services that parks provide, parks do so much more. Parks increase property values of residents by providing access to green space and safe, communal areas. Parks provide opportunities for youth, not just in the form of physical exercise, but also through access to personal connections, work opportunities, and community supports. Parks provide support to older adults through community connections and engagement as well as quality programming. These examples of the broader role of parks demonstrate how parks and recreation build stronger communities. Whether parks bringing people together to design and build a playground, or planting a community garden; parks create a sense of place by connecting residents to each other and to a greater goal.
You are first a community leader and second a parks and recreation professional. If you keep this idea top of mind, you will be able to build strong partnerships and alliances with other community groups. The resulting connections will allow you to not only improve services to your residents, but also build a strong foundation for your and your agency’s future growth.
I encourage each of you to be active in your communities and to help get the word out regarding the value that you and your agency bring to all of the residents of your community. Thank you for all that you do to make our communities great places to live, work and play!
Best,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
Words cannot even give you a glimpse of the devastation this community is experiencing. We moved debris, tore down walls, sorted, lifted, pulled and pushed. The work was physically grueling. It was difficult to envision how we could make a difference, but we did it one property at a time. The AmeriCorps team leading our efforts were delighted to check one more off their list, as this was the plan: To safely, quickly clear one block at a time. That was our job, to stick to the "plan." While the physical aspects of the community are hard to look at, the inside was beautiful. The residents of Joplin, yoked with volunteers from all over the country, were thankful, strong, working hard and bonding together in full force to restore their beloved town.
While there is no real physical comparison, in 2009 IPRA had its own internal disaster. Those on the inside saw their "walls fall." It would have been easy for board members and staff to flee. Instead we found "alternative" housing and we called in relief workers to help rebuild our foundation. With the IPRA Staff and Board leading the efforts and over 100 volunteers, you, our dedicated, self-less, hard-working volunteers rolled up your sleeves and said "let’s restore IPRA."
While we are looking better, we are still recovering at a strong pace. Recently we have made great strides and as the months progress you will start to see the strategic plan goals being checked off one by one. We are just around the corner from unveiling a new brand for IPRA, including more effective educational opportunities, a new logo and web site, improved communication systems and increased membership value. As a Joplin resident said, "we are out of the news but there is still work to be done." I believe the same is true for IPRA, "there is still work to be done." This is an ideal time to get involved with shaping IPRA's future. If you would like to be a part of the relief team, volunteers still needed! Contact me at: lkpaden@Illinois.edu LoriKay Paden
Academic Advisor - Recreation Sport Tourism, University of Illinois
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
July 14, 2011 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Decatur Indoor Sports Center, 1295 W. Wood Street, Decatur, IL 62522
Contact:Mike Selep 630-376-1911
Click here to register!
This will be a five hour Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Exam Preparation course that will review the requirements for professionals wishing to take the exam as well as fundamentals of administration, programming and operations for those preparing to take the CPRP exam. This session will include a box lunch for participants.
Click here for printable form!
August 4, 2011 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Registration Deadline: 7/28/11
Contact:Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
Click here for more information
Environmental and stormwater regulations increase in scope and complexity each year. This workshop is a primer on federal, state and local regulations and their applicability to parks management in Illinois.Topics include changes to the Army Corps 404 permit process, pending USEPA stormwater rules, Floodway rules, changes to local stormwater ordinances and the IEPA Clean Construction Debris (CCDD) Disposal rules.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn what environmental regulations apply to Park Districts and how to avoid the pitfalls in the multi-agency processes districts are required to use for approval of their projects. Participants will learn how the new Clean Construction Debris Disposal legislation and rules affecting Park District operations.
Speakers: Patrick Kelsey, CPSS/SC, Executive Vice President, Kristine E. Meyer, P.E., CFM, Project Manager, William Donnell CPRP, ASLA, Senior Landscape Architect & Planner Wills Burke Kelsey Associates
August 11, 2011 10:00am-11:00am
Registration deadline: 8/4/11
Contact:Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
Click here to register!
This session reviews the work methods and processes involved in using team based approaches to work. It also includes information about creating good internal customer service among support functions.
Why this is important: Good leaders understand the importance of employee engagement through the use of teams. In addition, leaders need to manage the internal support processes.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will review types of teams, how to make them effective and will review backstage support practices in order to develop good internal customer service.
Speaker: Barbara Heller, President Heller & Heller Consulting
August 11, 201110:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Moline Park & Recreation Department, 3400 5th Ave., Moline
Contact:Mike Selep, 630-376-1911
Click here to register!
This will be a five hour Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Exam Preparation course that will review the requirements for professionals wishing to take the exam as well as fundamentals of administration, programming and operations for those preparing to take the CPRP exam. This session will include a box lunch for participants.
Click here to download printable form!
September 8, 2011 - 10:00 AM
Location: online
Contact:Heather Weishaar, 630-376-1911
Registration Deadline: September 1, 2011
Click here to register!
Speaker: Dennis Snow, Snow & Associates, Inc.
Beyond developing the strategy, however, there is the challenge of executing the plan. It’s in the execution that service excellence strategies become a reality or simply another "flavor-of-the-month" program. Employees watch to see how committed the organization truly is to customer service and take their cues directly from their leaders. In order to effectively implement an organization-wide service excellence strategy, today’s leaders must rely on the skills of a facilitator and idea champion and must walk the talk of service excellence.
Based on the leadership principles Dennis learned, lived, and taught during his 20-years with Walt Disney World, this presentation highlights specific leadership behaviors that bring a service strategy to life and describes how to "hardwire" service excellence into an organization’s culture.
Participants will learn: •The behaviors that will define your organization’s service culture. •Hiring processes that ensure that service-oriented individuals are recruited and selected for employment. •New-hire and ongoing training practices that reinforce your organization’s service culture. •Effective communications strategies that keep employees focused on the customer experience. •Techniques for involving employees in the forward movement of the organization and empowering customer-focused decision making. •Accountability processes that ensure that service excellence is non-negotiable.
NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS
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Jon Beckmann is Deerfield Park District's new Recreation Supervisor for Aquatics, Cultural Arts & Youth programing. Jon is responsible for two outdoor pool facilities –Mitchell Pool and Deerspring Pool, for certain special events and for several programs at Jewett Park Community Center.
Jon began his career working park-time for the Gurnee Park District. He worked for Gurnee Park District for eight years at the Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center as Aquatic Coordinator, managing day-to-day operations. Jon supervised a staff that included three pool managers, 70 lifeguards and 35 attendants. The Aquatic Center handled a 1500 bather load and was an IPRA award-winning facility.
After working at the Gurnee Park District, Jon accepted a full-time position at Anderson Pest Solutions working as a Service Manager. He was responsible for eight full-time service technicians in the greater Chicagoland area managing day-to-day activities at off-site facilities, coaching in the field, conducting skill level training, establishing service standards and conducting performance reviews.
Jon attended Illinois State University, in Normal, IL where he received his Bachelor degrees in Finance and Insurance. Jon is currently working on his MBA through the University of Walden. He now resides in Wadsworth, IL.
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Tony Korzyniewski is the new General Manager for Deerfield Park District's 100,000 sq. ft. recreation and fitness facility, Sachs Recreation Center. The Center encompasses 3 gymnasiums; indoor tennis and racquetball courts, a pool and track; exercise and dance facilities, a café and more.
Tony began his career at the Gurnee Park District and spent nearly seven years heading up the aquatic programs and facilities. As the Aquatics Director, he was involved in all aspects, from working on the referendum to operating the award winning Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center that received the IPRA Outstanding Facility Award in 2002. The Aquatic Center was among the significant reasons, the park district received the NRPA Excellence in Aquatics Award in 2004. Tony also worked as the Athletics & Aquatics Manager at Northbrook Park District, and most recently as General Manager and Owner's Representative of Waves of Fun, Inc. Tony attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and played baseball. He now resides in Deerfield with his wife Beckie and two children. |
Angela Brown has been promoted to the Aquatic and Fitness Manger position & Liz Eldridge is now Program Supervisor.
Congratulations!
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