Congrats Pro Connect & Pro Connect South

As we celebrate another great year with a fabulous mentoring program completion, I thought I would take a moment and hit the highlights of my speech at the IPRA Annual Business Meeting at conference. I did tell a few great stories about my lifeguarding staff making a couple hundred Jell-O shots in our concession stand. If you want to hear how that turned out, just shoot me an email. Remember, it pays to just pop in on any program, anytime.

Thinking back to the days when I came to O’Fallon. I saw the post on IPRA Site, thought, this sounds interesting. So I came, I interviewed and left on Friday night, driving to St. Louis talking to my husband, saying, "Oh my gosh... so much to do!  They need a lot of help." A couple of months later, I took a $10,000 pay cut, and packed up my family and moved. 

It was a tough couple years with replacing every staff position and pushing hard to add more programs, more staff, and more parks. I took a chance. 

Professionals come from many paths into this career. We are fortunate enough to have such a tremendous association to provide educational resources.  We have many professionals with all types of degrees. That makes us unique and diverse.  Pro Connect can provide a great resource for our many members. 

I am a believer in mentors, taking chances and looking down that long road into the future.  If you ever have an opportunity to have a Superboss or mentor - thank them. If you haven’t had that chance, seek out one. Learn to become that mentor, and you will grow to become a Superboss.  

That type of leadership afforded me a chance to grow; it has afford me the skill to make big changes. So I ask, "Are you a Superboss"? Do you know a Superboss?  Do you have the skills? 

 Here are some 'Secrets of the Superbosses' from Harvard Review. It says Superbosses have the following qualities... 

• Confident
• Competitive
• Imaginative
• Act with Integrity
• Aren’t afraid to say, "I am who I am"
• But most of all Superbosses have the ability to hire people that can!

SUPERBOSSES...

• Handle surprises
• Problem solve from new angles
• Learn quickly
• Can play any base, not just first-base
• Can tailor the job to the talent
• Are effective delegators

Stay connected & offer advice

1. IPRA provides education & leadership
2. Provides Networking
3. Provides Pro Connect

We are all professionals from many different backgrounds. And what a great time to be a professional in our business. Never have parks been in so much demand by our citizens. The sky is the limit. I am asking you become a volunteer, become a mentor, strive to become a Superboss someday. Again, congrats Pro Connect participants! 

Mary Jeanne Hutchison, Director

O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Department