IPRA Today - Make a Difference This Year

Make a Difference This Year

Robert Parker, the father of six-year-old Emilie Parker who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, said his daughter’s heart was full of love and kindness and he made an emotional plea for that spirit to be the legacy of this tragedy. "Let it not turn into something that defines us but something that inspires us to be better, to be more compassionate and more humble people," Parker said.

I am sure many of you have heard about NBC News Anchor Ann Curry who urged Americans over national television and Twitter to do "26 Acts of Kindness" in memory of the victims. I am jumping on that bandwagon and asking you to join me in spreading acts of kindness in our daily lives. Simple things like holding the door open for someone, letting a person go in line ahead of you, or picking up an object someone has dropped can put a smile on a person’s face. Kindness does not have to come with an expense, but it does come with a reward.

On a local level 2012 has been a very memorable year for me. Serving as IPRA Chairman has been a remarkable experience. I have had the opportunity to meet so many hard-working, dedicated professionals who continue to impress me with their passion for our profession. I want to thank the IPRA Board for their commitment and support throughout the year. I applaud their willingness to make themselves available for extra meetings and their dedication to make sure IPRA is headed in the right direction. Thank you to our IPRA staff and their professionalism and time commitment to the members. They have taken on many additional responsibilities in the past few years as we have reduced our staff from 13 full-time employees to four full-time and two part-time employees. Please let them know you appreciate their efforts.

A big thank you to the Tinley Park-Park District Board of Commissioners for allowing me to be involved in IPRA at this level, and the staff for supporting me and filling in when necessary. Thank you to my wife Lynn and my children Tom and Kathy for their encouragement, support and acceptance of my hectic schedule this past year.

As a member of IPRA I encourage you to be active in your organization. A wise man once said "Life is not about what you are getting. It’s about what you’re giving." While being involved in IPRA you will be giving of your time, but you will gain in friendships, knowledge and appreciation for your profession. We work in a profession that allows us to improve the quality of life in our communities. We make a difference.

A few days after the Newtown tragedy Robert Parker issued another statement: "May we focus our energy on those who were taken from us and let their memories inspire us to do good. May we look for opportunities to give service and work toward bettering our communities. I feel that we can do these things, we will again feel empowered, and we will make a difference." Go do something nice for someone and have a happy New Year to all.

- John Curran, IPRA Chairman of the Board

536 East Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525 | Phone: 708-588-2280 | Fax : 708-354-0535