IPRA Today
Illinois Park and Recreation
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Debbie is a social worker with a drive to grow organizations so they can better serve their mission and their members to do the most good. In the management arena, Debbie’s strongest skills are with financial management and financial growth. With her former organization, she worked with volunteers and staff to build the reserve fund. They are on track to finish with more than $1 million at year's end, an increase of $400k in just one year. Additionally, Debbie’s track record includes record-breaking success with membership growth, conference attendance and abstract submissions. Debbie is experienced in membership recruitment and identifying ways to better serve a multi-tiered audience.
In the advocacy arena, Debbie was successful both in protecting the association constituency from damaging legislation as well as working with legislators to write, introduce and pass laws designed to advance missions. In 2005, Debbie led the passage of a law in Illinois which spread to 15 states in the following two years. Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from MacMurray College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work. She is a graduate of several advanced learning programs, including the Dunn Fellowship program for future government leaders and the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership, which trains women to run for political office. Debbie also graduated from the Institute for Organization Management (IOM), a four-year program which granted her a certificate in nonprofit management. She is a certified association executive (CAE). Debbie will build on IPRA’s strong foundation, focusing on advancing the voice of parks and recreation, maintaining fiscal responsibility, improving membership benefits and education programs and working with the leadership to continue to implement the strategic plan toward an even stronger IPRA. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Sandy Manisco Communications & Marketing Superintendent Hoffman Estates Park District 847-781-3672 smanisco@heparks.org Park District Approves Anti-Bullying Policy In its June 26 board meeting, the Hoffman Estates Park District’s Board of Commissioners approved a comprehensive anti-bullying policy to address bullying, harassment and all forms of aggressive and violent behavior. "We feel this is an important step to ensure the health and well-being of our community and our participants," said Dean Bostrom, executive director for the HEPD. "We won’t tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind that might inhibit an individual’s ability to learn and participate." Bullying or harassment is defined as any gesture or written, verbal, graphic or physical act (including cyberbullying via the Internet, cell phone or personal digital assistant) that is dehumanizing, intimidating, hostile, humiliating, threatening or otherwise likely to evoke fear of physical harm or emotional distress. This also includes forms of retaliation against individuals who report or cooperate in an investigation under this policy. All employees and volunteers will be required to complete a training course each year and will be expected to refuse to tolerate bullying and harassment and to demonstrate behavior that is respectful and civil. Please visit heparks.org (or click http://bit.ly/OCRns9) to view the complete Anti-Bullying Policy. About the Hoffman Estates Park District The Hoffman Estates Park District (HEPD) provides first-class parks, facilities, programs and services for a dynamic community of more than 50,000 in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The HEPD operates two community centers, a premier 18-hole golf course, state-of-the-art fitness center, twin ice arena, family aquatic center and 69 parks. Notable sites include the Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center, Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club, Triphahn Community Center & Ice Arena, Willow Recreation Center and Vogelei Park. The HEPD is a winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks & Recreation Management, the highest national honor in the public recreation category. For more information: heparks.org, 847-885-7500. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WEBINAR: All Natural Fun - Bringing the Outdoors Into Your Programs - 7/25
online 10 - 11:30AM Certified Park & Recreation Executive (CPRE) Exam Prep Course - 8/17 La Grange Park District 9AM - 4PM WEBINAR: Key Revenue Drivers - 9/12 online 10 - 11:30AM Therapeutic Recreation Section Leadership Summit - 9/6/12
The TR Leadership Summit is designed for individuals working in a community therapeutic recreation setting. The setting supports the exchange of ideas and best practices that leads to advancement of the field and of its professionals. Topics are geared to all levels ranging from program/recreation specialist to executive directors. All sessions meet at least one critical area of APIE (Assessment Planning Implementation Evaluation). Supervisor Symposium: Branching Towards Excellence - 9/25-9/26 Mission: To provide young professionals the skills they need today to become tomorrow’s leaders in the field of parks and recreation. To accomplish this mission, three goals have been developed: • To offer educational and networking opportunities to young professionals in the core areas needed most at this stage in their career. • To offer an event that produces positive results after its conclusion - either by changing a participant’s attitude or behavior or by making an impact on the agency or its programs, facilities, or staff. • To offer an event that provides value for the participants and their agencies with a focus on making the event as accessible as possible to the largest number of people - financially, geographically, and logistically (date and time). Professional Development School - 11/11/12-11/14/12 Professional Development School (PDS) is the longest standing educational and networking opportunity offered by IPRA. The tradition of Illinois park and recreation professionals attending Professional Development School goes back many years creating thousands of PDS graduates. Professional Development School provides park and recreation professionals across Illinois the opportunity to experience high quality education in a small, student-focused atmosphere. PDS is committed to providing Illinois park and recreation professionals the skills, knowledge base and networking opportunities needed for personal development and career advancement so as to sustain and better the agency and community they serve. Graduation from Professional Development School consists of the completion of a two year curriculum requirement. Additionally, PDS offers a unique graduate level annually that allows Illinois park and recreation professionals the opportunity for continued development year after year. Do you directly supervise or does your agency have professionals who would benefit from two and a half days of intensified skill development, increased knowledge base and networking with fellow professionals in areas such as supervision, management, budget, motivation, teamwork, etiquette, communication, presentation skill and self-fulfillment? If the answer is yes, send them to Professional Development School 2012, "Blazing New Trails in Parks & Recreation," November 11-14 at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel in Decatur, IL. Or perhaps, this someone at your agency is you? Should you have any questions or if you would like to be placed on the "PDS Update List" please contact Kevin Romejko, Human Resource Manager & Safety Coordinator at Palatine Park District at kromejko@palatineparks.org (847-496-6256) or any of the other PDS Board of Regents. Professional Development School Year 1: LEARN – The backbone of the profession Year 2: CONNECT – To the professional you are Graduate: INSPIRE – Continue self-development and advancement in your career CALENDAR/UPCOMING EVENTS
Teen Camp Olympics - 7/18
Lisle Park District 10AM - 2PM Lifeguard Games - 8/5 Portage Park Pool 1 - 8PM JOB OPPORTUNITIES
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SECTION/COMMITTEE INFO
Facility Management Section Meeting & Discussion - 7/13
Park Ridge Park District 10AM - 12PM Recreation Section Meeting & Discussion - 7/19 River Trails Park District 11:30AM - 2PM Communications & Marketing Section Social - 7/27 Addison Park District - Putter's Peak Mini Golf Course 12 - 3PM |
