IPRA Today

As you know, IPRA’s First Annual Education Institute will be held on April 20th with Craig Hickman, co-author of the Oz Principle.  I just noticed a solicitation for a session in the Chicagoland area where Craig is speaking. Their price is $399 for one person or two for $299 each and that is without lunch.  As a member of IPRA you have the opportunity to attend our training with Craig for $40 and that includes continental breakfast, lunch and an opportunity to network with your peers.  This is an opportunity that you can’t afford to miss.  I hope to see you in Oak Brook on April 20th!

The 2011 Member Satisfaction results are in. A special thanks to Robin Hall, ChungSup Lee and Jarrod Scheunemann of The Office of Recreation and Park Resources for the University of Illinois.  Click here to view the results-here are the highlights:

Survey was conducted in December 2011. 

960 IPRA members responded resulting in a 45% response rate
Top five most used IPRA services:  
1) Conference;
2) Education Workshops and Seminars;
3) Job Announcement;
4) Website;  
5) Magazine

Top five most important services offered by IPRA:
1) Conference;
2) Education Workshops and Seminars;
3) Certification;
4) Job Announcement;
5) Networking Opportunities

Top five most important reasons for joining IPRA:  
1) Developing professional contact: meeting others in the field;
2) Continuing education through workshops and seminars;
3) Showing support of the profession;
4) Building reputation/credentials in the field;
5) TIE - Keeping informed through association publications: magazine, e-newsletters, websites, etc.
5) TIE – Employers pay the dues

I encourage you to read the full report.  The IPRA Board and staff are discussing ways to strengthen the services that are members utilized.  Based on the 2012 IAPD/IPRA Conference results, we are off to a good start.

Lastly, the members of the Membership Council met on February 9th and are meeting again on March 8th to continue discussions on consistent operating guidelines for all IPRA sections and other collaborative initiatives.  Remember to contact one of the members of the Council if you have suggestions.

Thanks again for all you do!

Jan Arnold, Executive Director
IPRA

 

After one of my earlier experiences with the board of commissioners I was lucky to be promoted to Director.  I was working on my first brochure for the spring and the center of the brochure was always a calendar listing the events and highlights for the spring.  The board liked to see the brochure before it went out to the public.  Being Irish I thought it would be funny to mark the calendar on March 17th "Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Park Closed for the Holiday".  This was only printed in the 5 copies the commissioners received, but they did not know this when I passed the brochure out at a board meeting.  Quickly they came upon the calendar and quickly my job was in jeopardy.  I was scrambling to explain it was just a joke.  My lesson learned; there is a time and a place for practical jokes and the board meeting was definitely not the time or the place.

Being thrown into the position of Director and totally unprepared forced me to rely on others for advice.  I quickly learned in the field of parks and recreation there are always people out there willing to share their wisdom.  People like Jerry Handlon, Fred Hall, Keith Frankland and others answered my many questions.  Lessons learned; don’t be afraid to ask and always be willing to share.

The experience I gained in Hickory Hills laid the foundation for my career.  Whenever I had the opportunity to take on more responsibility, I took it.  This helped me to advance and be better prepared for the jobs ahead.  Whether it is within the agency you work for, or organizations like IPRA, when opportunity knocks make sure you answer.  Within your own agency there are times when you need to step outside your area and take on new challenges to show your supervisors what you are capable of doing.  Your involvement in outside organizations allows others to view your talents and possibly open doors in the future.  Lesson learned; more responsibility can mean more opportunities.

Being young and having the title of Director of Parks and Recreation I could have got a big head and thought I was something special, but I had friends like John Wilson and Ray Ochromowicz who would knock me down a peg or two if I ever got too full of myself.  It is important to know your perception of yourself may be different than what others think, and it's good to have friends who will tell you like it is.  Even if you think you are doing a good job, it is good to ask your supervisor’s opinion to make sure you are on the same page.  Lesson learned; perception is not always reality.

I still do like a good practical joke and given the opportunity I will be happy to play one on some unsuspecting friend.  I guess some lessons are only learned the hard way.

John Curran, IPRA Chairman of the Board
Director, Tinley Park Park District