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Bringing Home the Gold
Congratulations to the Gurnee Park District and the Pleasure Driveway & Park District of Peoria for winning the gold medal in Minneapolis!  Additionally, I’d like to congratulate the Bartlett, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn and Schaumburg Park districts for being selected as finalists for this prestigious award.  Illinois continues to be considered a national leader in leisure service delivery. We are very proud of our winners and finalists!

Executive Director Search Update
Our consultants from Hazard, Young and Attea (HYA) continue to move the search for a permanent executive director forward.  They will be presenting candidates to a small group of board members on Nov. 10.  Initial interviews will be conducted the week of Nov 15.  The second round of interviews and final selection will be made by the entire board by early December.  We will keep the membership updated as more details become available.

Strategic Plan Update
Our staff, led by Mike Selep and Chuck Balling, has set the timeline for the finalized strategic plan.  This timeline will be presented for approval to the board at its Nov. 18 meeting.  This plan will span a three-year time period and several tasks have already been completed.  Watch for new, emerging services, along with improved ways for the association to conduct business and continue along the path of extreme efficiency and effectiveness!

IPRA Budget/Finance
Thanks to our staff and Finance Committee, chaired by Craig Talsma of the Hoffman Estates Park District, our budget will be presented to the board at Nov. 18 meeting.  Association finances continue to get stronger due to cost-control measures and the creation of education services which will continue to grow with the implementation of the strategic plan.  Our cash position at this time last year was $194,498, compared to this year's $553,570. In addition, we expect to exceed our full-year net revenue targets again this year. 

Traveling the Great State of Illinois
Over the last year I have had the opportunity to visit with many sections, regions and affiliates throughout the state.  Most recently Mike Selep, Chair-Elect LoriKay Paden and I visited with members from Central Illinois at the Peoria Zoo.   Past Chair Ron Salski, Mike Selep and I are headed to Effingham this week to visit with members from Southern Illinois.   I am inspired by the work our sections, regions and affiliates are doing to advance our profession.  Networking with fellow members from around the state, rather just in your local area, is a great way to learn about different ways to conduct business – without ever having to leave the state!

NRPA Congress – Minneapolis, MN
As many of you may know, NRPA is making the shift from regions to networks.  The Great Lakes network is alive and well with many people from Illinois serving in leadership roles, including Mike Clark, executive director of the Batavia Park District.  If you are an NRPA member, I encourage you to get online and join the Great Lakes network where many resources will be available to you.  Check out www.nrpa.org.

As always, if you have any questions or ideas you would like to share, please feel free to contact me at 630/529-3650 or at carrie@bloomingdaleparks.org. 

-Carrie A. Haupert, CPRP, Executive Director, Bloomingdale Park District