IPRA Today

The IPRA board, member volunteers and staff are working hard to implement the strategic initiatives for the Association and to find ways to better meet your needs and expectations. A few quick updates:

• IPRA Headquarters has been relocated to the Park District of LaGrange in October. We are very excited about the move to our new offices which will provide a permanent location for IPRA. We look forward to a visit from you.
• Creation of the Membership Council to create a unified voice of the sections and to improve membership services to all IPRA members. The seven section representatives are currently working to develop the Membership Council Charter and their operating guidelines.
• IPRA Board of Directors was reduced from 14 to 9 members with the creation of the Membership Council. A new position of At-Large Representative was created. The election for this position will occur November 7-11. Make sure to cast your vote. The nine (9) members include: Chair, Past-Chair, Chair-Elect, Chicago Metro Rep., Central Rep., Northern Rep. and Southern Rep., Membership Council Rep. and At-Large Rep.
• New website for IPRA that will launch in January. This new website promises to be more user-friendly and packed with resources to help you in your job. IPRA’s focus is to provide our members with the trainings, networking opportunities and resources to assist in your current job and to prepare you for your career goals.
• As part of our efforts to rebrand IPRA, a new logo and tagline have been adopted. You will see the logo starting to appear with a full launch in January 2012. Our tagline reflects what IPRA wants to be to you, our member. A place to "Learn. Connect. Inspire."
• Enhanced educational opportunities have been added for IPRA members in 2012. Including a member’s only event to be held on Friday, April 20th at the DoubleTree in Oak Brook. Craig Hickman, author of The Oz Principle will host the first annual IPRA Education Institute. Mark your calendar today!
• Administrative Updates. Additionally, IPRA has updated a variety of policies and procedures to include the Finance Policy, Administrative Policy, By-laws for both IPRA and the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and much more.

I hope this update provides you with a quick glimpse of the work that your Association is doing to improve the trainings, programs and services offered to you, our member.

Make sure you check out the 2012 Education Calendar and get registered today!

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

 In 2010, Past IPRA Chairman Carrie Haupert and the Strategic Planning Committee researched, planned and developed a road map for future leadership and staff to implement. In case you haven’t been paying close attention, that is exactly what has been happening! Members from all over the state are serving on standing committees, sections and our newly developed strategic planning task forces and committees.

Volunteers are critical to our success. The strategic planning task forces and committees alone are comprised of 60 volunteers who have stepped up to the plate serving an astonishing 1,100 volunteer hours. In addition, over 150 volunteers have kicked it up a notch by serving on new standing committees and task forces. Our volunteers strive to provide the best services within the state and work an immeasurable amount of hours. Their expertise has helped us to create better programs, services and resources for you and your colleagues.

People constantly comment about the great work "we" have accomplished. The "we" is YOU. IPRA simply could not have made the strides we have without the selfless giving of our volunteer members. The great progress we have made in this short time is - simply stated - amazing.

Learn. Connect. Inspire – IPRA’s new tag line is already taking effect! Keep watching, we aren’t finished yet, a stronger IPRA is still emerging.

Get involved in your IPRA as we take it to the next level – contact lkpaden@Illinois.edu

LoriKay Paden
Academic Advisor - Recreation Sport Tourism, University of Illinois