IPRA helps you help others

Print this article | Send to Colleague

Equally powerful has been the consistent message from members that we need to build future leaders and enhance professional development opportunities so that we as Illinois Park and Recreation professionals grow as individuals, community leaders and national park and recreation leaders.

One of the six strategic initiatives from the IPRA Strategic Plan is to develop dynamic professionals and future leaders.  We will do this by providing high-quality leadership development training to all levels of leaders in the parks and recreation profession. Whether you are a seasoned executive director, a supervisor or a young professional, IPRA will strive to provide tools you need to develop skills for the challenges and opportunities of parks and recreation today and in the future. 

Rick Hanetho, executive director of the Northbrook Park District and Recreation Section IPRA board representative, has been selected to chair the Education Committee.  Rick and I are meeting with IPRA members to determine training needs as well as format preferences.  It is our goal to build an educational program that will meet your needs and expectations.

When I contemplate professional development, I realize it comes in many shapes and sizes.  IPRA will be working with members to identify and provide workshops, webinars, schools or mentoring sessions to best fit needs and expectations.  I ask you to remember that at the heart of professional development is a personal commitment to lifelong learning and increasing one’s skills and knowledge.  IPRA will provide the training and you must make the commitment and take the initiative to participate.

Lastly, it is my goal to build an IPRA that grows future leaders and enhances the skills of current leaders so you can continue to offer quality programs, run state-of-the-art facilities, offer spectacular parks and provide life-changing experiences to improve quality of life for all Illinois citizens. I would love to hear your suggestions as we build our calendar for 2011 and 2012, and I look forward to seeing you as a participant in one of our upcoming sessions.

Best,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association