IPRA Today

My thanks to the volunteers on the hard working Joint Conference Committee, Program Committee, and Exhibits Committee for your hard work making the conference a quality experience for everyone.

This year’s conference will be January 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  The renovations that created the construction zone last year are completed and the hotel is beautiful!  The most exciting part of the conference is the Closing Social Saturday, January 25, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the House of Blues featuring entertainment by Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond cover band.  This is a ticketed event that you won't want to miss.

I am also excited about the Welcome Social Thursday, January 23, 9:00 p.m. - midnight with entertainment by "Spoken Four."  Spoken Four brings together four of the best musicians in Chicago.  A complete modern band with depth and talent to cover any style and era.  No matter what the venue Spoken Four delivers a fun, high energy show.

And, be sure not to miss the Closing General Session on Saturday, January 25, 5:00-6:00 p.m. This event called, "Uncrapify Your Life!" with Jeff Havens is unique; he encourages his audiences to do the opposite of everything he recommends.   Uncrapify Your Life!  is a study in exactly what not to do.  By highlighting and then poking fun of practices we’re all guilty of, Uncrapify Your Life!  offers a unique and delightful twist on the traditional motivational model.

After the conference, our new board year will begin with Jan Hincapie as the 2014 IPRA Chair of the Board of Directors.  Additionally, we will have four new board members in 2014: Central Region Representative: Dawn Schaefer from Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Association; North West Region Rep: Molly Hamer from Geneseo Park District;  Membership Council Rep: Matt Corso, South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR), and At-Large Director: Mike Kies, Hoffman Estates Park District. I look forward to working with our new Chair and our new leaders.

My thanks also to Allison Niemela, our outgoing Chair for 2013.  During her year as chair, we focused on completing our last strategic plan and drafting our new five year plan.  This took many long hours of travel all over the state, focus groups, and many strategy meetings.  Allison was a strong leader for us and IPRA is better today than when she started.  Thank you, Allison!

The 2013 Board had many meetings this year and showed a constant commitment to the field and the organization as they too worked on the new strategic plan.  I thank them for their efforts: Allison Niemela, Batavia Park District; Jan Hincapie, Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation Dept.; John Curran, Tinley Park Park District; Nancy McCaul, Fox Valley Park District; Joe DeLuce, Champaign Park District; Rita Fletcher, Bartlett Park District; Patrick Kloss, Belvidere Park District; Mary Jeanne Hutchison, O'Fallon Parks and Recreation; and Rick Hanetho, Northbrook Park District.

We are working on two statewide projects right now which will give members the opportunities to meet the board.  First, our board meetings in 2014 will be held regionally and in each region, the board of the local affiliate group will be invited to join the IPRA board for a meal, and wherever possible, the IPRA board will participate in local activities such as attending a SIPRA meeting in southern Illinois and volunteering at the IPRA/IAPD Park District and Conservation Day at the State Fair in Springfield.  Secondly, we are also planning regional meetings in February and March to present the strategic plan locally so that everyone has a chance to hear more about it.

IPRA is thriving today because of the continued dedication and commitment of our volunteers.  Again, my thanks and congratulations to the Joint Conference Committee, Program Committee, and Exhibit Committee on a successful conference.  All your work is going to culminate in a successful and memorable conference that we will all remember.  I look forward to seeing you all there.

-Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director