IPRA Today

Illinois Park and Recreation

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Recently, IPRA has experienced very high numbers of new members joining us and we look forward to bringing all these new people into our community.  I look forward to meeting so many of you at conference in January.

In the meantime, IPRA continues to be busy with many new activities and ongoing mission driven improvements. I am so excited about the latest change in the sections. The Ethnic Minority Section has become the Diversity Section. This change was initiated by the section and approved by the IPRA Board along with a new direction for the section. Per the proposal submitted by Section Director Keely Lewis-Childress, "The Diversity Section plans on being the leading source for all aspects of diversity in the park and recreation profession in Illinois and serve as a resource to IPRA members. We would like to tackle topics that face our profession ranging from women in park and recreation, the glass ceiling, same sex households, cultural issues that may affect programs and services, the multi generation work force, employing individuals with disabilities, celebrating holidays while honoring different religions and ethnicities, changing demographics and diversifying the workforce to name a few. It is time for a change and this section is excited to recruit new members and address the hot topics that face us all in our professional lives under the new name of the Diversity Section!"

After extensive recruitment by the section leadership, the Diversity Section is now at almost 70 members - up from just over twenty not too long ago. Congratulations to the section leaders who have created such strong positive momentum and built such strength for this section. The section has scheduled their educational events for 2013, and are working hard to continue in this new direction. As a reminder, IPRA members may belong to as many of the seven sections as they choose for no extra charge. If you would like to join this section, please sign up by adjusting your profile when you login to the website. If other sections want to share their latest news, please let me know!

Another topic I want to address is the IPRA staff team. I often meet with members who tell me they just don’t know who to call at the IPRA office, or they didn’t know that some of our staff are only with us part-time. So, allow me to run down the basic list of who does what:

  • Debbie Trueblood, Executive Director. I manage the board, budget, foundation, strategic planning, and other high level leadership and oversight. My schedule is Monday-Friday. My phone number is 708-588-2285 and my email address is debbie@ilipra.org.
  • Matt Fairbanks is the Membership and Education Director. He manages sections, committees, ambassadors, educational offerings, Leadership Academy, and CEUs. His schedule is Monday-Friday. His phone number is 708-588-2286 and his email address is matt@ilipra.org.
  • Dina Kartch is the Meeting and Conference Director. She manages the conference in conjunction with her counterpart at IAPD and is primarily responsible for programming, speaker and logistics. She also handles meeting planning logistics for IPRA events and schools such as PDS, Supervisor Symposium and the TR Leadership Summit. Her schedule is Monday-Friday. Her phone number is 708-588-2287. Her email address is dina@ilipra.org.
  • Barry Franks is the Financial Services Director. He handles IPRA’s finances, section financial reports, and the foundation financials. His schedule is Monday-Friday. His phone number is 708-588-2284 and his email address is barry@ilipra.org.
  • Heather Weishaar is the Communications & Development Manager. She handles commercial membership, the IPRA job board, the IPRA newsletter, silent auction, member communication, section communication, and webinars. Her schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Her phone number is 708-588-2282 and her email address is heather@ilipra.org.
  • Sheila Mulvey-Tatoris is the Education and Membership Services Manager. She handles the IPRA website, membership/customer service, and education registration. Sheila’s schedule is Monday-Thursday. Her phone number is 708-588-2283 and her email address is sheila@ilipra.org.
Please note, conference registration questions are handled by our registration company, CTE at ilparks2013@cteusa.com or 847-759-4279. If you’re not sure who to talk to, feel free to call our main line at 708-588-2280.

Thank you. Hopefully this list will help members to feel more comfortable with the entire staff team as we all work together to best serve our members, our mission, and parks and recreation in Illinois.

-Debbie Trueblood, CAE, Executive Director
 
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
The parks and recreation field may have endured better than other professions because in bad times people turn to their local recreation agencies for relief from the stresses of their daily lives.  Maybe a person is forced to cancel their private health club membership, but is able to exercise in their local park.  Private lessons are no longer affordable, but the local recreation center provides group lessons. Vacations may have to be cancelled, but "staycations" at your local pool or water park provide relief from the hot summer sun.  

You, the park and recreation professional, have helped many families get through these difficult times. You have enhanced their quality of life. You have been a big part of the economic turnaround that is occurring right now, albeit slow things are beginning to improve.  

I was recently thinking how grateful I am that I chose the field of parks and recreation as my profession. I would like to take time to say Thank You to a person who was instrumental in my career choice. Before attending Western Illinois University (Harvard of the Midwest), I attended Triton Jr. College and thought I would take a recreation class to see what it was all about. 

Henry Diehl was my first instructor in a recreational leadership class. Mr. Diehl taught more than just parks and recreation. He spoke about life and its challenges, decision making, the future, and the impact of parks and recreation has on the economy and the local community. He taught me to appreciate the profession before I even joined it. He was a great teacher. Thank you, Henry Diehl for launching me on my career in parks and recreation.

We all have someone in our lives that has had a big impact on our careers.  Now would be a good time to reach out and send them a thank you note. Let them know how you appreciate their efforts and how they have helped you in your career. I am sure they will appreciate it.  

Now I would like to address paying it forward. Recently you received a letter from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Foundation requesting a donation to be used for the education fund. This is another way you can give thanks and help the future generations in the park and recreation profession. We have a great profession and we have the responsibility to make sure it remains great for years to come. It is your opportunity to pay it forward.  

IPRA does an outstanding job providing educational opportunities for our profession, and the foundation will continue to provide funding for those educational opportunities. Your donation is tax deductible and will help the profession that has been good to you. Please join me and other foundation members as we demonstrate our gratitude and pay it forward to ensure a bright future for the park and recreation profession.  Happy Holidays to all.  

-John Curran, IPRA Chairman of the Board
 
NEWS YOU CAN USE

If you have not already renewed, please renew today!

If you renew before December 15th, Professional members will receive a $15 discount on membership, bringing the cost of renewal down to $244. Also, Professional members that renew online will be entered to win an Apple iPad!

Don’t forget, you may join as many Section memberships as you’d like, simply use the Ctrl key to select more than one (when renewing online.)

IPRA is excited to offer online renewals to our members this year, and we hope you find it convenient and simple. This year IPRA is offering three ways to renew your membership. You can renew your own membership online, you can renew your staff memberships online, or you can print the invoice and send the payment via fax or mail.

• Begin by logging into the IPRA website at http://www.ilipra.org  if you have never logged on to the website, your user name is your email address all lower case, and your password is ipra all lower case.

• On your profile page, you can view your contact information, pay open invoices, view our events calendar and read news updates. Scroll to the bottom of the screen under Accounting Information. In the Accounting information section you can view your renewal quote for membership renewal (or any open purchase orders). You can click on the invoice and proceed to the payment screen.

• If you want to pay renewals or invoices for additional staff, click on the view organization icon which is located under your name and photo. From your agency profile, scroll to the bottom of the screen to the Accounting Information section. Click on the box that reads show related invoices. You can select to pay all renewals or select specific memberships to renew.  

• In order to view and pay agency invoices, you must be logged into the site as a member.  If you have an employee who will be managing online renewals and he is not a member, we suggest that he login under a member’s account and from their profile, view and pay the agency open invoices.

 
CONFERENCE
Volunteers are needed at Conference Headquarters – if you’re interested, please contact Heather Weishaar for a list of available shifts.

All session chairs and hosts must check in here prior to their scheduled session. Resource persons will be available throughout the entire conference to answer questions.

Conference Headquarters Hours
    • Thursday, January 24 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
    • Friday, January 25 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, January 26 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

  • Conference Headquarters will be located in the Grand Ballroom Foyer, East Tower, Gold Level.
  • Volunteers must be members of either IPRA or IAPD, and must be registered to attend the conference.
 

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Registrations will not be accepted after January 18, 2013; registrations not postmarked or faxed by January 18, 2013 will be returned. However, onsite registration begins at 7:30 am on January 24, 2013. Visit the conference Web site at www.ilparksconference.com to register.
  • THE DEADLINE FOR RESERVING A TABLE AT THE AWARDS LUNCHEON IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013. This is done in conjunction with your conference registration. After this date, no more table reservations will be accepted. Reserve your table early as tables are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All reserved tables will be tables of 12. You must have a full table or your agency may be combined with another. There will be no onsite table reservations taken. 
  • Each registered delegate will receive their name badge, event tickets and CEU coupons (if applicable) onsite at conference.
  • After registering you will receive an email confirmation with a bar code – please bring this with you to conference. This confirmation as well as a photo ID will be required to pick up your registration materials.
  • Once onsite there will be a $5 charge to reprint your name badge and EVENT TICKETS WILL NOT BE REPRINTED. You must purchase new tickets at the current onsite price in order to attend any ticketed events.
  • You will not be permitted into the exhibit hall, conference sessions or workshops without the proper name badge.
  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing and received by December 7, 2012 in order to receive a refund less a processing fee of $25. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after December 7, 2012.
  • ADA Compliance: Please contact Dina at IPRA at dina@ILipra.org, no later than December 7, 2012, if you have any special accessibility/meal requirements.
  • The cut-off date for room reservations is January 2, 2013. Reservations made after this date may pay a higher rate and are subject to availability. Visit the conference Web site at www.ilparksconference.com to make your room reservation.
  • One (1) night’s room and tax advance deposit by check or credit card must accompany each reservation. This deposit is fully refundable before December 17, 2012. After December 17, 2012 there will be no refunds for cancelled rooms. The Joint Conference Committee implemented this policy in 1999 due to the high rate of rooms cancelled at the last minute.

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:

Email your question to ilparks2013@cteusa.com or call 847-759-4279. Be sure to reference the IAPD/IPRA Conference.

 
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Here are some of the most recent job posts. To view the complete listing, click here!

  • Director, Office of Information Technology - #1055,  Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (EOE)
  • Recreation Supervisor - Aquatics, Youth and Cultural Arts,  Deerfield Park District
  • Superintendent of Parks and Facilities, York Center Park District
  • Superintendent of Recreation, Geneva Park District
  • Executive Director, Lake County Forest Preserves
 
NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   
Ray McGury, Executive Director, 630-848-3500, rmcgury@napervilleparks.org
Sameera Luthman, Director of Marketing and Communications, 630-848-3570,   sluthman@napervilleparks.org

Date:        November 20, 2012

At its annual meeting on November 19, the Illinois Distinguished Park and Recreation Accreditation Committee voted unanimously to confirm the Naperville Park District as an Illinois Distinguished Park and Recreation Accredited Agency.

The committee’s announcement at the November 19 meeting was the final step in a nine-month evaluation process that involved staff in all areas of operations.

"We are extremely pleased to have achieved state accreditation as well as national accreditation," said Executive Director Ray McGury. Approximately one year ago, the Naperville Park District became one of only two park districts in Illinois to have earned national accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). 
The state accreditation process is a joint initiative of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Less than 1% of the park districts and city park departments in Illinois have earned state accreditation, and approximately 1% of park districts across the country have achieved CAPRA accreditation.

"Achieving both state and national accreditation brings benefits to the District and the community," said McGury.

"Comparing ourselves to industry standards and inviting outside review by experts from other leading agencies helps us to bring more excellent programs and facilities to our residents," he said.

Additionally, the Naperville Park District’s experience with both state and national accreditation has prompted a new cooperative effort between the Illinois Distinguished Park and Recreation Accreditation Review Committee and CAPRA to streamline the process for other agencies who participate in both evaluations. The Naperville Park District helped pilot a new process in which agencies can be exempted from some of the state standards if they have fulfilled similar national standards and vice versa.

The District will be recognized along with other newly accredited agencies at the state conference in Chicago in January 2013.

For further information about the Naperville Park District, please visit www.naperviillparks.org.

About the Naperville Park District: Created in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent, municipal agency serving the recreation needs of its residents. An Illinois Distinguished Park and Recreation Accredited Agency, the District is one of only 1% of park districts across the country to be nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The Naperville Park District’s mission is to provide recreation and park experiences that enhance the quality of life for our community, including benefits such as community health, environmental education, social connections, and personal growth. The District maintains and operates more than 2,500 acres with 140 parks and facilities and provides more than 1,400 recreational, arts and environmental programs and special events annually. Included within the District’s operations are two championship golf courses, a multitude of playgrounds, trails, athletic courts and sports fields, two inline skating and skateboarding facilities, the Millennium Carillon, a paddle boat quarry, historic Centennial Beach, and the beautiful Riverwalk.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   
Ray McGury, Executive Director, 630-848-3500, rmcgury@napervilleparks.org
Sameera Luthman, Director of Marketing and Communications, 630-848-3570,
sluthman@napervilleparks.org

Date:        November 14, 2012

Naperville Park District receives 2012 Governor’s Sustainability Award
Agency cited for leadership in green initiatives

On Friday, November 9, at a ceremony in Oak Brook, the Naperville Park District was honored by receiving the 2012 Governor’s Sustainability Award in recognition of the District’s leadership in environmental practices. The District is among 17 Illinois businesses, local governments and organizations that received the award.

As stated on its website (www.istc.illinois.edu), the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) has presented Governor's awards since 1987 to organizations in Illinois "that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices."

"This award confirms the value of our ongoing efforts to conserve energy and natural resources, while saving taxpayer dollars at the same time," said Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury.

Guided by an environmental policy and core values which emphasize stewardship and environmental education, the Park District continues to move forward with green initiatives. The District constructed the first LEED Silver building in Naperville in 2007, the South Maintenance Facility, and in recent years, completed the Seager Park Interpretive Center, pervious paver parking lots at Winding Creek Park, Weigand Riverfront Park, and Seager Park, prairie and woodland restoration at Pioneer Park, and many other projects. Its state award winning nature preschool Toadstools and Pollywogs has grown in enrollment each year, and helps instill an appreciation for nature in young children, whose attitudes toward the environment will influence their families and communities well into the future.

The Naperville Park District was the first park district to earn the DuPage County Earth Flag in 2010, was a runner up for the 2010 Illinois Association of Park District’s Best Green Practices Award, and was recognized in 2011 by The Conservation Foundation for maintaining three Conservation at Home sites.

About the Naperville Park District: Created in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent, municipal agency serving the recreation needs of its residents. An Illinois Distinguished Agency since 1994, the District is one of only 1% of park districts across the country to be nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The Naperville Park District’s mission is to provide recreation and park experiences that enhance the quality of life for our community, including benefits such as community health, environmental education, social connections, and personal growth. The District maintains and operates more than 2,500 acres with 140 parks and facilities and provides more than 1,400 recreational, arts and environmental programs and special events annually. Included within the District’s operations are two championship golf courses, a multitude of playgrounds, trails, athletic courts and sports fields, two inline skating and skateboarding facilities, the Millennium Carillon, a paddle boat quarry, historic Centennial Beach, and the beautiful Riverwalk.
 
PRESS RELEASE
November 12, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ray Ochromowicz, Director of Parks & Recreation, 630-584-1055

Park District Changes Policy to Match Current Living Arrangements
 
In an effort to be more reflective of the true makeup of American households today, the St. Charles Park District has changed its policy to match current living arrangements. Now, occupants residing under the same roof, regardless of their relationship to each other, will be allowed a discount once afforded only to families.

"We have changed focus to be proactive about how society is living today," said Ray Ochromowicz, Director of the St. Charles Park District.  "For example, it used to be that a family pool pass was available for a mother and father and their kids living under the same roof. That same option was not available for two college roommates who might have been living together. They would have to buy two individual passes. Now, these two people can get the two-person household rate versus getting two individual passes. And that goes the same for any group of individuals living permanently in the same home," he explained.  

A recent article in USA Today, entitled "Couples of all Kinds are Cohabitating," examined the evolving picture of today’s household composition.  The article states Americans who live together are increasingly more diverse than a decade ago.  No longer is it just young couples testing the waters before heading to the altar.  Now, "nearly 30% are divorced, nearly half are 35 and older, and there is a growing number of parents with children at home."  In addition, the article investigates the increasing amount of baby boomers who choose to live together.  "Research from Bowling Green State University in Ohio found that from 2000 to 2010, the share of cohabiters over age 50 increased from 25% to 37%."

"We want to let people know we are changing with the times and treating residents fairly.  A home’s tenant’s, whether they are a family or friends, pay the mortgage or rent that ultimately pays the property taxes," explained Ochromowicz.  "We don’t want their living situations to be a reason why they are not participating in programs or purchasing facility memberships."   

Effective immediately, Park District registration fees now encompass everyone living in a household, regardless of their relationship status.
 
PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION    
Laura Rudow, Superintendent of Parks & Planning     630-513-4344

St. Charles Park District Donates Two Playgrounds to Help Children in Need

The St. Charles Park District has donated two playgrounds to Kids Around the World (KIDS).

These playgrounds, which were removed by KIDS volunteers earlier this week, will be refurbished and sent to a place where they will have a new life giving joy to children in need for many years to come.

The District has plans to install new playground equipment at Moody Park at Moody and South Third Streets and at the Kane/Woodlawn Playground at Kane and Maple Avenues.

Rather that removing the existing playgrounds and destroying them, the District instead opted to donate the playgrounds for the benefit of children in other countries who are living in difficult circumstances, and for whom the gift of a playground will mean so much.

"We are so thankful to the St. Charles Park District for understanding the importance of play for children and for their commitment to making a difference in our global communities," said Jim Rosene, President of Kids Around the World.
 
Kids Around the world will work with its international partners around the world to find a home for the playgrounds where they will help children to develop physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills that will help them grow. More importantly, these playgrounds will provide children who have known nothing but poverty, disease and war a safe place to simply "be a kid."

Founded in Rockford, Illinois in 1994, Kids Around the World has built playgrounds for children in more than 50 countries. KIDS also provides nutritious meals and teacher training throughout the world. Reaching its 100th playground in 2008, it has achieved playground #250 in only four years.
 
With a passion for the special recreation field, DeSantis is looking forward to providing meaningful recreation experiences to all WDSRA participants.
 
DeSantis’s experience includes working with adult specialty and day programs, special events and outreach. She has a Bachelors in Kinesiology from Western Illinois University and is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist
 
DeSantis enjoys being outdoors, movies, and hanging out with family and friends. She currently resides in Lake in the Hills.
 
Kirstyn DeSantis can be reached at 630-681-0962 ext1114.
 
SECTION/COMMITTEE INFO
January 03, 2013, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Therapeutic Recreation Section PSD Meeting - TBD

January 17, 2013, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Recreation Section Meeting and Discussion, Elmhurst Park District, Wilder Mansion



 
Franczek Radelet
Wintrust Financial
Naylor, LLC