Our last month of summer...

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We all spend so much time in preparation (physical and mental) to provide our community members with amazing opportunities and true leisure experiences. And then it seems it leaves as quickly as it had arrived! The imprint many of you and your colleagues make remains, though.

Often, we get so busy in the mix of routines, we forget to recognize, thank and reward each other for the life-changing tasks that are accomplished. We must do a better job in identifying and recognizing leaders and great programs within our profession. I challenge you this year to take a few moments not only to thank those you work with and for, but to consider nominating them for an award. Then, take a step further and look out into your community for those special people who go above and beyond for your agency; you can nominate them for an IPRA Community Service Award. Express your gratitude to these valued community members, staff and colleagues in the field by nominating them!

The awards are as follows:

• Distinguished Service to Leisure Nomination
• Fellow Award Nomination
• Meritorious Service Nomination
• Professional Recognition Nomination
• Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award
• Young Professional Nomination
• Outstanding Conservation Program Award
• Outstanding Facility and Parks
• Outstanding Program or Special Event Award
• Citizen Volunteer of the Year
• Community Service Award
• No Employee Left Behind Award (NELB)
• Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award

Get more details at http://ilipra.org/awards/.

As we prepare to manage the nomination and selection process, we are in need of new committee members. If you are interested in getting involved in a committee that is short term and has a definite start and finish date, this is the perfect committee for you. We would love to plug you in today. If you would like more information, please contact me at lkpaden@illinois.edu. Please take the time to thank the people, clubs and organizations that allow us to provide quality parks and recreation programming in our communities.

Hope your summer ends with as much enthusiasm and energy as it started with!

LoriKay Paden
Academic Advisor, Recreation Sport Tourism, University of Illinois