IPRA Today - 2015-16 Leadership Academy Applications Now Available!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the 2014-2015 ProConnect participants! Our inaugural class of ProConnect mentoring teams had their culmination event yesterday, March 4, at Salt Creek Golf Course in Wood Dale. ProConnect participants were presented a certificate of completion from IPRA and our partner, the University of St. Francis in Joliet. We had 74 complete the program. We will be opening applications for the next round of ProConnect later this spring or early summer, with the first event being this fall. This program had rave reviews, and we hope to have another great class of participants next year.

The ProConnect program is a mentoring program in teams of three with a person from each level of experience- early career, mid-level, and advanced professional. Each team has a liaison with the committee to help them with logistical questions along the way. The teams meet once a month in October, November, December, February and March at a mix of educational and networking events, all around the goal of creating a solid foundation in a mentoring relationship that we hope will continue long after this program ends. Many thanks to the extremely hard working Mentoring Task Force who created, designed, and implemented this amazing program: Chair Matthew Ellmann, April Armer, Brian Meyer, Cheryl Deom, Diane Stanke, Joe Modrich, Laura Milkie, LoriKay Paden, Ron Oestreich, University of St. Francis rep Mike Selep, IPRA 2014 Chair Jan Hincapie, and speaker Dennis Ulrey.

Our evaluation at the mid-point of the program in November, 98 percent of respondents said they would recommend this program to a friend or colleague.

Since then, participants have shared these other positive thoughts:

1.    "ProConnect is an outstanding program for professionals in any stage of their career or supervisory level.   The experience was invaluable. I personally came away with new ideas, some great resources, more wonderful contacts (or friends in field as I like to call them) and a fresh outlook on my job and the opportunities it holds."

2.    "What can I say.....both of my teammates are amazing women whom I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and learning from. Our experience together provided motivation, self- awareness and creativity both professionally and personally. I know that our relationship created through ProConnect will last for years to come."

3.    "The ProConnect program has really helped with expanding my professional network in more ways than I ever thought possible. I have now created new relationships that I will carry with my throughout the rest of my career."

4.    "The ProConnect Mentoring program was a great way to meet someone who has an advanced and intelligent perspective of the parks and recreation career. My mentor is knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful; I feel much more confident about my career now that I have gotten to know her."

5.    "The ProConnect Mentoring program provided an opportunity for me to connect with young professional that was energetic and enthusiastic to learn more about the field of Parks & Recreation; the energy motivated me and reminded me why I love working in this field. The activities and educational portion of the program were fun and provided opportunities for personal growth. It was a great experience, and I would consider participating again as a Mentee."

Congratulations again to those who completed the program in our inaugural class. Watch for applications to roll out in the next few months. We can only accept 75 people in the program, so we hope to have you in our next class!

Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director

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