IPRA Today
Illinois Park and Recreation
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
November is a time for thanks. At IPRA, we are thankful for all the ways the members make us stronger and better. One thing we're thankful for if your feedback, like the feedback we received in the communication survey we sent last week.
In the survey, we had well over 500 members responding to our questions about improving our communication and marketing functions. What we learned was not surprising- members feel overwhelmed by the amount of emails they receive from IPRA, but there was no consensus on how members would like to receive the information; with email still ranking as the most preferred form of communication. Some members would prefer this twice monthly newsletter to replace email; while others admit they don't read this. Our analytics show that our newsletter readership is higher than the industry average, but still too low for us to rely on this publication as the only way to communicate with you. Still, we are incredibly grateful for your feedback and we want to take your advice. To that end, we will be sending fewer emails to you, putting more information in this newsletter, and making our newsletter articles shorter and easier to read quickly in your busy schedules. Members also told us with resounding consistency that they were unaware of our Facebook presence. I encourage you to check it out. We keep it updated routinely and like many of you, we use analytics to guide us towards the information that has the strongest positive response. We are always looking for ways to take your advice to make us a better organization.
In the coming weeks and months I will be working with incoming Chairman of the Board, Rick Hanetho, to put together committee appointments for next year. If you are looking to volunteer your time with us, please let me by sending me an email at debbie@ilipra.org along with the committee you are interested in serving on. Our volunteers make us better and we are thankful for your service and dedication to IPRA.
As you take this time to give thanks for the important things in your lives; your families, your homes, your health, your coworkers, and your communities, we hope you are also thankful for your professional community and that you will take this time to renew your dues, register for conference, and renew your dedication to your own personal professional development in your career.
Again, my thanks to you for all you do, for your feedback, your dedication, and for your service to our professional community.
Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director
IPRA
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
"Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive." Wikipedia
According to Psychology Today: "Studies show that we can deliberately cultivate gratitude and can increase our well-being and happiness. In addition, grateful thinking – and especially expression of it to others – is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism and empathy."
In this month of Thanksgiving it is fitting to reflect on the things for which we are thankful. In our field we have talked about the benefits of a quality parks and recreation program, but when is the last time you talked about what you are grateful for? This past weekend I did just that. After all, even when things are not as good as we’d like, isn’t it amazing to think that expressing gratitude could make things better?
Your challenge is to come up with ten things. Here’s my list:
I am grateful that...
1. I was born to blue-collar parents who never stopped reaching to make things better for our family. . They taught me the importance of having a good work ethic, the necessity to do something I love and to always do it well.
2. My childhood life was split between a big city (Rockford) and a small town (Whitewater, WI). It helped me to realize that there is value in both.
3. I was raised in the Rockford Park District and learned early on the importance of recreation, parks and the wise use of my leisure time (in spite of the fact that I didn’t get a trophy for participating).
4. I receive unconditional love and support from my husband and kids.
5. I attended University of Wisconsin – La Crosse....a great recreation curriculum and a beautiful city with incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation.
6. I was raised with a strong faith. It helps me to realize that there is something bigger than all of us out there. This allows me to gain perspective and feel support when I face challenges.
7. Even after getting offered an internship with the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, I chose to accept the internship with IPRA. The rest is history!
8. I am surrounded by people in this field that I trust, respect and admire.
9. I work in a community that supports parks and recreation and is willing to fund its growth.
10. I have had the opportunity to serve as IPRA Chair this year. I don’t take this responsibility lightly and I am walking away in January with an experience I will never forget!
On behalf of the IPRA Board, I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Our association is certainly grateful to have so many dedicated volunteers, supporters, and passionate professionals within our membership.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." Melody Beattie
Jan Peterson Hincapie, CPRP
Director of Parks and Recreation
Village of Lincolnwood
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Here are some of our latest job posts - to view the complete listing, click here!
- Special Recreation/Special Recreation Coordinator, Chicago Park District
- Horticulture/Arbor Specialist, Vernon Hills Park District
- Youth and Teen Supervisor, Bensenville Park District
- Athletics and Fitness Supervisor, Bensenville Park District
Have a job to post? It's easy and affordable with IPRA - click here!
SECTION/COMMITTEE INFO
The Facility Management Section is looking for session moderators for IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference. Session moderators are responsible for managing the session, speaker and attendee CEU’s onsite for the session to which he/she is assigned. If interested, please contact Jenny Porrevecchio, jporrevecchio@lisleparkdistrict.org.
- Next IPRA – Parks and Natural Resource Management Meeting on November 13 - will be offering Certified Arborist CEUs. (access the meeting agenda by click here)
- Please complete the Outdoor Ice Rink Survey
- We are in need of Conference Room Hosts! Please sign up by clicking here!
- IPRA/IAPD Conference – Parkie Button: Every year we ask for our member’s input on the Parkie button for the 2015 IAPD/IPRA Conference. This year, we are seeking suggestions for a "saying" for consideration. Click here for a list of those suggestions we have received in the past and the buttons we have done in the past as well. Remember our goal is to be fun and light hearted (not too serious). We are requesting replies for comments on existing ones or new ideas by December 1. Please respond to rschram@winpark.org. Also, voters can be anyone, not just Parkies.
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