IPRA continues to evolve

IPRA continues to evolve. A year ago, I was able to stand in front of you and share that IPRA was growing, healthy, and strong. I told you that we were financially healthy and able to invest in new programs which better serve our members, I shared that both student and professional member numbers were the highest they had been in years, and that member satisfaction was at an all-time high. Can you imagine, how lucky I feel to be able to share with you today that in all those benchmarks, we’re doing even better now? Member satisfaction has increased from 95% to 97% satisfied, with those members saying they were "extremely satisfied" climbing from 14% two years ago to 21% last year, to 27% this year.

 

Our membership continues to grow in size. Since 2011, six years ago, we have experienced a net growth of about 500 members, about half of that growth being in professional members and the other half in student members.

 

While we have grown, we have added more and more ways to serve you. Our Unplug Illinois campaign has connected researchers all over the state with the agencies who see the public every day so that we can bridge the gap and better tell our story about why the work we do in parks and recreation has positive effects on everyone in Illinois. Our campaign will continue to build as we roll out our new public service announcement video about the value of parks and recreation.

 

Our ProConnect mentoring program has received national attention. Over the past year, I have shared with other associations all over the country, about this unique mentoring program to support you at every stage of your career. ProConnect’s Regents met with a mentoring expert who literally wrote the text book on designing mentoring programs and not only did she say we were doing everything right, she wants to feature our case study in her next book! IPRA has been featured in national publications three times because of this nationally award winning program. Within ProConnect, participants find value in their relationships with their mentors and mentees and they have experienced proven results in their careers. In a recent survey, 100% of current participants said they would recommend this program to a friend or colleague.

 

As IPRA has grown, we have been the beneficiaries of the support of hundreds of volunteers who have given their time and energy to this professional community. In a study completed this summer, IPRA was able, maybe for the first time, to compile a comprehensive list of all of our committees. Ultimately, we have 91 committees. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we absolutely could not do what we do without you. We are, however, trying to make it easier for you to engage with us. The board and I have been focused on streamlining those committees. In 2017, we hope to create more standardization and be able to better direct new people to these important leadership volunteer positions. Our new 2017 Chair Rita Fletcher and I will be presenting an IPRA Town Hall session tomorrow afternoon to share with you more about volunteer opportunities in IPRA.

 

IPRA’s staff continued our own professional development this year too. Barry, our CFO, represented us as the Treasurer of the American Camp Association of Illinois. Sheila and Heather attended a conference on marketing and membership. Jessica took classes in graphic design. Leesa attended a conference on meeting planning technology. Matt represented us on the NRPA committee related to the CPRP exam and Matt received the "Forty Under 40" award this year from Association Forum. Further, we have grown the staff with the addition of Duane Smith, our new Education and Events Coordinator. Duane is a CPRP who comes to us from ten years of service with the Mokena Park District. To each of them on the IPRA team, I want to again thank you for all that you do. I have the utmost confidence in each and every one of you.

 

As we have grown, so too has our foundation. As you heard from Mike Clark, we have had great successes this year with the foundation. This has included partnerships with the sections, Playcore, the Wilson Family, and next year the Western Golf Association.

Speaking of partnerships, in 2017, we will be starting a new partnership with a group called the Management Association. They are a well-known HR company that many of our members already work with. We will be working with them on a new version of our salary survey which will be published in book form, annually. The Management Association has extensive experience in this area. We will keep the current database on Public Salary live until the end of 2017 while we also gather data for the publication which will come out in early 2018.

 

I want to again thank the members of the 2016 IPRA Board of Directors. It is a huge commitment to serve on the IPRA board. This year we met in O’Fallon, Vernon Hills, Champaign, Oregon, and Collinsville. I have greatly enjoyed working with each of you. Mary Jeanne, I always smile at your direct approach and the way you just "tell it like it is". It has been a real joy getting to know you better.

 

In summary, IPRA is healthy and strong. Finances are strong, membership is growing, and our quality programs are expanding. We are gaining national recognition as an association who is innovative. Our staff are being recognized in the field. Our member satisfaction ratings are climbing. It is truly an incredible time to be together, with you as volunteers and leaders, with the staff who are committed to you, with the board who give their energy for you, and with our partners who, like us, want to see Illinois as the best place for parks and recreation in the nation. We've had a great year and I look forward to all we plan to accomplish in 2017 as we Learn, Connect, and Inspire together!

 

Debbie Trueblood, CAE
Executive Director