IPRA Today

So, as you begin to dig your way out of your summer time priorities, and start thinking about fall, I wanted to remind you of all the programs and events that you might not have been thinking about coming up on the calendar. So that as you can refocus on the bigger picture, your professional development, networking, education, your career, you can see all the opportunities you have soon.

First, IPRA rolled out our new mentoring program, ProConnect, and applications and brochures are available on the website. This is a unique three-tiered mentoring program for early career, advanced career, and seasoned professionals and retirees. It has a clear start and end date. It is limited to a small number of people this first year, and acceptance will be based on applications. So, I encourage you to submit your application soon before the September 3 deadline. This program is only $50 and has five events provided over six months. It is an excellent way to advance your career and give back by helping others. ProConnect is in partnership with the University of St Francis. I am grateful for all the hard work the Mentoring Task Force continues to do to ensure this will be a successful program in its inaugural year. Our first event is October 22 in Wood Dale.

Further, just like the kids, fall is when IPRA goes back to school. Listed below are all four of our upcoming fall schools: 

1.    Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Leadership Summit is September 11 in Bartlett.
2.    Supervisor Symposium is September 23 and 24 in Elk Grove.
3.    Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) is October 21-23 in St Charles.
4.    Professional Development School (PDS) is November 9-12 in Decatur.

More information and registration for these and other IPRA upcoming events is available online.

Further, we are proud partners of the Illinois Youth Sport Summit, hosted by the University of Illinois. This event is by invitation only on September 23-24. More information can be found online.

If you are a new member or looking to re-engage in IPRA, we have two upcoming events. We have a free Open House and Association Update on August 27 at 5:30 PM in La Grange  and a New Member Webinar on September 26 at 10:00 AM. Registration for both events is available online.

The IPRA Board and I will be volunteering at Park District and Conservation Day at the State Fair on August 16 in Springfield  I’m sure they will still accept additional volunteers if you are interested.

IRPA has a social at NRPA’s conference again this year. It will be Wednesday night of conference, October 15 at 6:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time at Cosmos Cafe, 300 N. College St, Charlotte, NC. If you're going to NRPA, please put this on your calendar. It’s a great event, you whole team are welcome. The event is free with a business card entry, appetizers provided and drinks are self-pay.
 
Finally, I also want to congratulate IPRA’s Senior Committee of the Recreation Section on another successful year in the Six County Senior Games. Over 500 seniors came out to recreate over ten days. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to check out the photos on our Facebook page. I visited the billiard event and the seniors were having a great time! A big congratulations to everyone who made that event possible.

Good luck everyone as you wrap up your summer programs. We can’t wait for fall education season right around the corner.

-Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director, IPRA

 

Rod Aiken, the former Executive Director of the Glencoe Park District left this world expressing his love for IPRA and the field of parks and recreation in Illinois.  His legacy is to support a program that enriches the professional lives of IPRA members at all levels of their careers.  On behalf of our members I would like to thank Rod, his wife, Lynn, and his family for these gifts.

The Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation, an arm of IPRA, is currently under the leadership of Mike Clark of the Palatine Park District, who is working with a passionate group of volunteer professionals to support parks and recreation in Illinois.  Both the Foundation and IPRA have 501(c)3 status according to the Department of Revenue, but the Foundation has a role that reaches beyond the daily operations of the association.  It supports education and serves, literally, as the foundation for who we are and what we do in parks and recreation in the state.

Some of you may ask, "Why would I give money to a foundation when I already pay dues to IPRA?  What’s the difference? Why do we need both?" Those are great questions to ponder. The IPRA Board and Foundation Board have been doing just that.  While we all agree that the ultimate goal is to raise funds that will support broad initiatives, education and the promotion of our field into the future, it is difficult to determine what will motivate you, our members, to give.

Overall foundation giving is estimated to have reached nearly $55 billion in 2013, $8 billion more than in 2008, and the peak year for giving prior to the economic downturn, according to The Foundation Center.  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was at the top of the list for awarding grants in 2011 with 1,374 grants totaling $4,394,055,135.  Over the past decade, the National Recreation Foundation has distributed $14.3 million to 256 grantees across the country. In 2012, NRF granted more than twice as much than in 2003.

Over the past few months there have been a number of discussions between the Board leadership and the members of the Foundation.  We needed to talk about the needs and purpose of the Foundation of today versus the Foundation of years gone by.  Now that IPRA has become more active in soliciting sponsorships and partnerships, we need to redefine the roles of our Association and Foundation as it relates to raising funds.  We need to dissect the Strategic Plan and make sure the two groups work side-by-side for the benefit of our field.  A special IPRA Board meeting was held in July with Foundation Board members present to start this discussion. The IPRA Board will deliberate on this and other Foundation topics at their August 15, 2014 meeting in Springfield.   Everyone is welcome to attend.

An indicator of any foundation is dollars and cents, but the overall vision must be clear and shared by its leaders.  There are many places asking for your donations.  It might be your church, temple or any one of the charitable events happening every weekend.  The IPRA Board supports the efforts of the Foundation and asks you, our members to consider supporting them in any way you can.  As we grow, we work through transition and change.  I am confident that we will establish a structure that will more effectively serve our members and strengthen the bond between IPRA and the Foundation as we move into the future.

-Jan Hincapie, Director of Parks and Recreation
Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation