Building Web Sites that Work
September 8
Location: Woodridge Park District Community Center
Cost: $45/IPRA members - $60/nonmembers
CEUs: 0.3
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the Communications and Marketing Section of IPRA

When you think about it, there are a great many parallels between what happens on the Internet and what takes place in real life. In both, people tend to return most often to places they have reason to enjoy. In this interactive, high energy workshop, you will learn how to turn your Web site users into loyal customers by allowing them to find the answers they want from your site.

If you plan to rebuild your Web site or add a new content management system, you need to do it right. You will take away the following from this workshop:

• Review what you have, what you need, and how to get there;
• Design your site for usability which in turn drums up customer satisfaction;
• Create online marketing strategies to draw users to your site;
• Learn the Top 10 tips for a successful Web site.

This workshop is presented by the professionals from DUO Consulting. With a focus in the government and nonprofit sectors, DUO's client base includes: the Chicago Park District, Lake County Forest Preserve, Park District of Highland Park as well as the Chicago Public Library and American Library Association.

National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) Certification Course
September 12-14
Location: Lemont Park District
Cost: $415 for IPRA members
1.2 CEUs offered for the 3-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the IPRA

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 205,000 children are treated for playground accidents annually, with approximately 15 resulting in death. Of these, 70% occurred at public parks and schoolyards. Does your equipment measure up? How many preventable injuries occurred in your parks?

Sponsored by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), this course is the most comprehensive training program offered on playground hazard identification and risk management methods. Advanced reading and ten hours of training will prepare you to take the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Exam, which will take place on the last day.

"Oh...I Wish I Had Said..." - A Powerful Communication Workshop
September 16
Location: Fox Valley Park District
Cost: $18 for IPRA members
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the School Age and Daycamp Committee of the Recreation Section of IPRA

Send your Frontline Staff and Supervisors for a fun and informative morning with Gail Johnson from Face to Face Communications.

This workshop will be conducted by the School Age and Day Camp Committee of the Recreation Section. We will be discussing different ways to say what we mean and not regret it. You will
leave this workshop with the tools you need to have successful conversations.

Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification Course
September 19-20
Location: Oakbrook Park District
Cost: $290 for IPRA members registered before August 29
1.5 CEUs offered for the 2-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the IPRA

The Aquatic Facility Operator course is an 18-hour training program specifically designed to meet the needs of those working in public and semi-public recreational pool or water park facilities. The AFO program offers a unique risk management approach, rarely offered to operations personnel.

The course provides information and training for both supervisory and operations personnel. In-depth instruction will be given on filtration, disinfections, water testing and treatment, design consideration, facility management, risk management, facility trouble-shooting and much more.

The AFO certification course is the most comprehensive program available for those responsible for operating clean, safe, and efficient aquatic facilities.

Supervisor Symposium 2006 - Piecing Professionals Together
October 3-4
Location: Wheaton Park District
Cost: $105 for IPRA members for both days
1.0 CEUs offered for the 2-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the Recreation and Facility Management Sections of IPRA

Make sure to save the date of October 3-4 to attend this important two-day workshop, hosted by the Recreation section and Facility Management section.

The Supervisor Symposium utilizes two different tracts to provide park and recreation professionals with the tools and resources to grow as professionals. One is geared toward professionals that have recently started in their roles as supervisors, and the other is for individuals that have experience and are searching for new tools to take them to the next level.

Several areas of discipline will be covered in the curriculum including topics on recreation, facility management, self improvement/job enhancement, finance/business and marketing.

Professional Development School
The PDS Code: Unlocking Creativity, Passion & Innovation in Parks and Recreation
November 5-8
Location: Eagle Creek Resort
Cost: from $550 for IPRA members sharing a double room
1.5 CEUs offered for the 3-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.
Presented by the Administration & Finance Section of IPRA

Do you have what it takes to unlock the PDS Code? This year's program is filled with great learning opportunities and networking experiences. Here are some of the classes you won't want to miss:

• Decoding Your Learning Style
  Speaker: Ruby Newell-Legner
• Living with Passion and Compassion - The Secret to Your Professional Success!
  Speakers: Robin Hall and LoriKay Paden
• Eight Keys to Unlocking Leadership
  Speaker: Kurt Podeszwa
• Supervision, Leadership and Communication: Unlocking the Keys to Your Success
  Speaker: Jane Turrentine

Don't forget to guess the mystery face on page 4 of the registration information for a chance to get 50% taken off your PDS registration fees! Guesses must be made on the Registration Form at the time of registration.

Got Ideas?
Dina Kartch, Education & Conference Director, is looking for some great educational ideas for this Fall and Winter. Email Dina with any ideas you have for workshops. It's your membership...get the training YOU want!

Give Someone the Recognition They Deserve
by Joe Pollina, Glenview Park District
As professionals in the parks and recreation field, our success is measured by the quality of our staff, volunteers and sponsoring agencies.  Sometimes we take them for granted or send them a "thank you" note but rarely do we truly give them the recognition they deserve.

Through the IPRA Awards and Recognition program you have the opportunity to finally recognize all of those individuals or sponsors who have helped make your area of responsibility a success.  By visiting the IPRA website and downloading a simple application form, you can honor anyone who you feel is deserving of the honor.  By sending in the application along with a $30 fee per award, you will bestow an award to those deserving as a token of appreciation from your agency and IPRA.

The process of recognizing someone for the Community Service Award is quick and simple but the lasting effect this will have to the recipient is endless.

Go to the Awards & Recognition page online to view all of the award descriptions and to download the necessary forms.

All nominations must be delivered to the IPRA office no later than October 31, 2006.

People With Opinions Wanted
Have you ever read something online or in the paper and wanted to give your opinion on the subject matter? IPRA members and parks and recreation professional as a whole are vocal, passionate people. Sharing your thoughts and experiences with others will give them another perspective on topics and provide valuable learning opportunities.

IPRA's weblog, The Blog Spot, is the online news source for park and recreation professionals. The Blog Spot has been around for over a year now and improvements and modifications are being made all the time to better serve our readers. But we need your comments to truly interact and learn from one another.

Continually check out The Blog Spot or subscribe to receive an email alert each day a new post had been written. It's amazing how awesome and educational a weblog can be when interaction occurs between readers.

Here are some of the recent posts:

Crystal Lake Daycamper Throws Out First Pitch
Marion to play ball in Frontier League
EAB Found in Evanston
T-Ball at Wrigley Gets Washed Out
Emerald Ash Borer Summit
Results of Hershey's Track & Field State Meet
Buyer's Guide Now Online
Special Recreation Day at the Schaumburg Flyers
Nominate Your Favorite Team Name
Glenview Lifeguard is Hero

How Marketable Are You?
Trying for that promotion and not getting it? Getting in a rut with your current position? Looking for more money?

Park and recreation professionals have been turning to the park & rec JOBS page on IPRA's website to look for jobs...isn't it time you did too?

So you found a job posting online...now what are you going to do? Park and recreation professionals are marketing themselves by uploading their resumes for hiring agencies to view.

Don't let your resume sit in a pile on someone's desk. Post your resume online and apply for jobs you want with your saved resume! Stand out...get that job you've wanted!

Go to the park & rec JOBS today!

Save Time and Money with Co-Op Buying
Each year, IPRA coordinates a Cooperative Purchase Program on behalf of park districts, municipal recreation agencies, forest preserves, conservation districts, special recreation associations and private agencies throughout Illinois. The program, the only one of its kind in the field of parks and recreation, is an excellent way for your agency to save staff time and valuable tax dollars by purchasing with other park and recreation agencies in bulk.

The savings is an obvious benefit of the program, however, the Co-op program offers other benefits as well. You save time comparing quotes and products. Freight and delivery charges are included in vendor’s bids, so there are no surprises when it’s time for delivery, and Vendors abide by the “Local Government Prompt Payment Act” allowing agencies 30 days from receipt of invoice to have it approved and 30 days after approval to have it paid.

Listen to Heather Weishaar, IPRA Development & Project Director, talk about the Co-Op Program on IPRA's podcast, WIPRA-The Voice. Learn about the benefits your agency will see by participating.

Online registration and ordering will begin August 14. Check out the Co-op Program page.

Showcase Your Creative Work - Get Recognized - Get Ideas!
The Agency Showcase Competition is the premier communication and marketing competition for park and recreation agencies. Submit your best communication and marketing work used during the 2006 calendar year for judging by professionals in the fields of public relations, printing, marketing and communications. 

This year there will be nine categories judged: Single Catalog Cover, Catalog Cover Series, Single Catalog Content, Annual Report Content, Specific Facility/Program/Event Brochure, Logo Design, Website Design, Printed Newsletter and Electronic Newsletter. 

Winners of each category will be recognized at the Friday Award’s Luncheon at the Conference as well as online at ILipra.org. More information and entry forms will be available on the Agency Showcase Competition page beginning September 1. All entries must be received by December 1 so start thinking about creative pieces you'd like to submit.

Help us provide you with the best possible Agency Showcase Competition by completing an online survey - click here to access the survey. One lucky person who completes the survey will win a copy of "Podcasting: The Do It YOurself Guide" by Todd Cochrane!

Recently Certified Professionals!
Click here to learn more about becoming certified!

Certified Park & Recreation Professionals (CPRP)
Matthew Barber, WSSRA

Associate Park & Recreation Professionals (APRP)
N/A

Provisional Park & Recreation Professionals (PPRP)
N/A