IPRA Today

Since April, we have rolled out several new related programs.  First, we are now doing quarterly webinars for new members so that they are specifically given the opportunity to ask questions and receive orientation to IPRA.  Our second new member webinar will be October 4.  All members are welcome; registration information is on the website in the calendar.

We also hosted an IPRA Open House and Networking Event on July 26 before office hours so that professionals could stop by before their busy work days began.  The event brought in 30 people.  We are especially grateful for so many of IPRA’s leaders for coming out and supporting the event.  We had members of the board, the Foundation board, six of the seven section directors, two section Director-Elects, one member of the Membership Council, and many others joining us.  IPRA’s Chair Allison Niemela reported on what our accomplishments have been during the first half of her term.  IPRA’s Foundation Chair Mike Clark reported on foundation happenings and goals. The IPRA staff team and I reported on upcoming projects, new programs, and events to watch for.

Again, following suggestions from our focus group responses, we are also doing two upcoming networking events for specific audiences.  First, on August 29 from 12:00-5:00 PM is our Agency Leader Networking Event.  This event is for executive directors of park districts, directors of park and rec departments, and anyone else in a top leadership role in parks and recreation.  The event will be held at the Arlington Race Track in Arlington Heights, IL.  The cost is $50 and includes admission, daily racing guides, heavy hors d'oeuvres, water, and soft drinks.  Registration is open on our website in the calendar section.

Additionally, we will be holding a networking event for young professionals and students (those under 40) on September 19, from 3:00-6:00 at Lucky Strike in Lombard.  Registration will be open soon on the website.  We encourage agency directors to encourage their staff to get out for this event. Lucky Strike has bowling, plasma TVs, two bars, and billiards.  This is a fun, recreational environment for young professionals to network and meet others in the field.

I am also so excited that IPRA will also begin a new mentoring program. This program will be a truly unique model for mentoring.  I have found in my professional experience with associations that often a mentoring program does not go far enough in creating the foundation for a mentor/mentee relationship.  We will have a program where people will apply to participate.  It will have a clear start date and end date, so that everyone is clear on the level of commitment. (We may have to limit participation based ensuring a high quality mentor for everyone, hence the application process.)  Those accepted will be matched in a three part "mentoring trio" made up of a person early in his/her career, a person who is a mid-level professional, and finally a seasoned professional or a retiree.  The three of them will have an ongoing mentoring relationship.  We will have several events where people can attend with their mentoring partners, and we will help them to formulate a foundation for their relationship.  When the program is over, participants will receive a certificate of completion, and we hope, the foundation they need to have an ongoing relationship with their mentor(s) or mentee(s).  We think the three part nature of the relationship will allow for everyone to get the mentoring help they need at all levels of the profession and to create two generations of trained mentors at a time who can continue to utilize these skills in the future, giving back to the profession.  You’ll hear more on this in the coming months.

Thank you, again, to everyone who has attended our first new member webinar, our open house and networking event, and to those who will register for the Agency Leader Networking Event, the Young Professional Networking Event, or the mentoring program.  All these ideas came from you, the IPRA members at the focus groups in April.  We appreciate all your suggestions and we hope to honor your wishes by bringing you what you asked us for.  An association is always about listening to the members and giving back.

If you have questions about any of these items or you have other ideas to share with us, please feel free to email me at debbie@ilipra.org. IPRA has so many exciting events going on,  it’s a great time to be part of IPRA!

-Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director

 

In case it’s been a while since you’ve checked in or feel a little out of the loop, I’ll provide you with a highlight reel of a few major accomplishments:
•    As Debbie Trueblood celebrates her one-year anniversary with IPRA, she has another reason to celebrate - the completion of the current three-year strategic plan six months early. This enormous feat was a collaborative effort between Debbie, staff, the IPRA Board of Directors, Membership Council, Foundation Board, section directors and committee chairs. Thank you to everyone who placed sweat equity into the effort! 

•    A strategic marketing and communications plan was developed and is being implemented by staff. As a C&M Section member, I am thrilled to see this plan in action!

•    The Membership Council has been working diligently under the leadership of Nancy McCaul to ensure all sections are working in alignment with IPRA’s mission and goals. As a result, there are new section guidelines for standardizing the election process and section awards. Even the agendas for meetings are now standardized across the sections!  The section directors and membership council representatives have worked harmoniously on developing descriptions, goals and objectives for each section to streamline them with IPRA’s goals.  

•    The board and staff made a commitment to conduct a membership survey every three years to continue the effort of collecting relevant data to sustain our initiatives. Continually collecting input is critical to member satisfaction. 

•    A communication plan was developed to eliminate duplicative education with other associations. Long gone are the days you’ll see redundancy between our sister agencies and IPRA.

Thank you to all the members who contribute their time, talent, and energy to IPRA. Remember, this is your organization. The more you invest in it, the greater the value you will reap from it. 

Allison Niemela, IPRA Chairman of the Board