Thanks to Those Who Serve

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September was a busy month at IPRA with the BMW Championship, TR’s Fall Leadership Summit and Supervisor Symposium. I would like to thank our key volunteers and their agencies for their assistance. Without the commitment and hard work, these events would not have been possible:

• BMW Championship
  Kevin Ramejko – Palatine Park District
  Tim Jaskiewiez – Arlington Heights Park District
  Kelly Smith – Morton Grove Park District
  Mose Ricky – Roselle Park District
  Ron Oestreich – Bolingbrook Park District
  Craig Culp – NSSRA
  Kelly Damron – M-NASRA
  Dave Dauphin – NISRA
  Greg Bruggeman - Elgin Parks and Recreation Department
  Steven Thomas – Clarendon Hills Park District
  Mary Crout – Oak Lawn Park District
  Steve Neill – Arlington Heights Park District
  Dana Seehafer – NISRA
  Paul Bafia – Genoa Park District
  Thomas Bower – Winfield Park District
• TR Section Fall Leadership Summit
  Matt Barber – WSSRA
  Anne Cosentino – SEASPAR
  Peter Pope – Bartlett Park District
  Jim Wiseman – NISRA
  Breanne Cory – Rockford Park District
  Lisa Drzewiecki – SSSRA
  Kara Repsys – NISRA
• Supervisor Symposium
  Jackie Gonzalez – Park Ridge Recreation & Park District
  Steve Muenz – St Charles Park District
  Bobbie Nance – Park District of Oak Park
  Laura Clark – Bartlett Park District
  Scott McClaskey – Round Lake Area Park District
  Mike Gianatasio – Lisle Park District
  Justin Narter – Carol Stream Park District
  Greg Bruggeman – Elgin Parks and Recreation Department
  Steve Thomas – Clarendon Hills Park District
  Joey Cullen – Elmhurst Park District
  Janet Cherbak – Fox Valley Park District
  Gwen Strombeck – Schaumburg Park District

Speaking of recognition, the deadline to nominate individuals for 2011 awards is Friday, Oct. 28. As you know, the Awards and Recognition Program is a wonderful way to recognize leaders in the field and outstanding projects accomplished over the past year. The process has been streamlined to make nominating easier than ever. For many individual awards, once you check some basic criteria (i.e.: years of service) all you need to do is e-mail or fax the name of someone who you know is deserving of this recognition. IPRA awards committee will coordinate the rest. It cannot be any easier! I encourage you to nominate individuals that you believe are deserving of recognition.

I also want to thank each of you for your support of IPRA over the past year. It has been a busy eight months, as I have had the opportunity to meet with many members across the state to better understand their expectations of IPRA and how they wish to be involved and kept informed. As a result, in 2012 you will see additional educational opportunities focusing on the skills that you, our member, want and need. We're also announcing an updated purchasing solution to offer upfront pricing and just-in-time delivery at no cost to our members - read more later in this issue. Additionally, you will receive your 2012 membership renewal notices in the next few weeks. I want to let you know that there is no increase to the 2012 membership dues and if you rejoin by Dec. 9, you will receive $15 off the annual rate.

Lastly, I want to remind everyone that IPRA Headquarters is moving to the LaGrange Park District on Friday, Oct. 7. Our office will be closed Friday, but we will reopen Monday, Oct. 10, ready to serve you. I look forward to having you stop by in the near future.

Best,
Jan