What to Expect in 2016

The following is a transcript of my speech at the IPRA Annual Business Meeting on January 29, 2015 for those of you who may have missed this year’s big announcements.

 

This year we saw so many of our great leaders retiring, not just the few names mentioned here today, but so many others too. But these changes mean opportunities for others to progress in their careers and take on new roles. Further, we are seeing an increase in jobs in parks and recreation in Illinois- our job board has doubled in size in two years. Opportunities abound and our industry is booming. As members take on new opportunities, IPRA will be there to serve you in your new roles and we welcome the new faces in our field.

 

As our industry changes, our own financial security is the cornerstone which allows us to be nimble, to take risks, and to invest in our members’ changing needs.

 

As Finance Committee Chair Marla stated earlier, our total assets crossed the two million dollar mark in November. With the Finance Committee’s careful and diligent oversight, we have managed our income, our expenses, and our investments and we are financially strong and healthy.

 

While we have secured our financial base, we have spent money giving back to members. We invest in Leadership Academy- IPRA supplements about 50 percent of the gross cost for each attendee. We invest in ProConnect, in which IPRA supplements 80 percent of the gross cost for each attendee. We invest in the new IPRAConnect online communities where members can learn from each other. We invest in the new community campaign, Unplug Illinois, which will help us educate the public about our value. We invest in scholarships for students and professionals- with the board allocating nearly $20,000 and sections allocating an additional nearly $12,000 to the foundation scholarship programs in 2015 alone. We invest in partnerships with regional affiliates to host educational events. We constantly upgrade technology, looking for new ways to serve the members. We have grown financially strong, but we have done so with carefully watched and deliberate spending on programs which move our mission and serve our members through innovation.

 

At year end, our annual membership satisfaction survey was completed by over 500 members, and our overall member satisfaction stands at 96 percent satisfied, the highest it has been since we began these surveys three years ago. Further, our "extremely satisfied" rating is also the highest it has been with 21 percent extremely satisfied.

 

Not only are our members more satisfied than they have been, the membership is growing. Membership numbers are the highest they have been in at least five years.

 

We won a national award for innovation for our ProConnect program, in partnership with the University of St. Francis. After its first year had a 97 percent satisfaction rating. With that momentum, we extended the program to southern Illinois as ProConnect South in partnership with the Southern Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

 

We continue to build our relationships with colleges and universities in Illinois. Further, this year we began giving students free membership dues and our student member numbers are the highest they have been in recent history.

 

The foundation has successfully streamlined all the scholarships into one process with one application for students and one for professionals, including a handbook to answer questions, and ensure standardization and transparency.

 

So, let me tell you what to expect in 2016.

 

First, we plan to focus on streamlining our organization, so that we can ensure the organization is functioning like a well-oiled machine.

 

Second, we will also work with consultants to do a member analysis to ensure that on a few specific topic areas, that we are still meeting our members’ needs effectively.

 

We have contracted with U of I to expand our graduate student program there to include two students instead of one, including research to support our field as well as adding grant writing.

 

We will host a Leadership Summit, inviting the park and rec state association boards and top staff from our border states to come together and learn from each other.

 

In 2016, we will visit all the collegiate park and rec programs in the state to meet with the students and faculty and reconnect with them.

 

We will host a day long educational event which will be held in person in three locations- north, central, and southern Illinois to ensure that all our members have an opportunity for the same high quality education.

 

We are moving the popular Professional Development School from Decatur to Galena, offering a fresh experience to our growing attendees.

 

We will continue to host the Leadership Academy Breakfasts or "LAB" which is specifically designed to serve Executive Directors and high level professionals- the three sessions we have held so far are growing in attendance and have received rave reviews for their unique approach.

 

All these accomplishments are the result of the hard work of the staff and the volunteers who work together. I want to thank the IPRA staff- Heather, Jess, Barry, Sheila, Matt, and Leesa, as well as all the volunteers who support IPRA’s efforts. I am especially grateful to the IPRA Board, who once again traveled the state this year, meeting in Northbrook, Geneseo, Springfield, and Mt. Vernon. It has been a pleasure to work with Rick and get to know him better.

 

In summary, IPRA is healthy and strong. Student and professional member numbers are the highest they have been in years. Our member satisfaction rating is the highest it has been in years. Our financial health has been secured. The money we make is carefully watched by a team of member experts and strategically spent on member services and mission driven programs. Our industry is booming and jobs abound. We have a great future. We've had a great year and I look forward to all we plan to accomplish in 2016.

 

Thank you.

Debbie Trueblood, CAE, Executive Director

Illinois Park & Recreation Association