It takes hard work and lots of practice to become a world champion baseball team...the same is true when advancing your career. Join us for the Spring Training series of workshops geared to make YOU a world champ!

Train-the-Trainer Workshop with Ruby Newell-Legner
March 22-24 - White Pines Golf Club, Bensenville Park District
Cost: $375 for IPRA members registered before March 10
1.5 CEUs offered for the 3-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.

To stay competitive, productive and profitable, successful organizations must recognize the need for ongoing, results-driven training programs. Don’t leave your staff development to chance. Send your leaders to this powerful training so they can help your organization grow and prosper with newfound skills.

A well thought-out, well-delivered employee training program can make a substantial difference in your future. Are you ready to bring on new staff and develop the ones who are already part of your team?

Come learn how to design, deliver, and evaluate your training program for maximum effectiveness. Leave with a complete training outline that can be used immediately for a new employee orientation program.

Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification Course
April 18-19 - Wheaton Park District
Cost: $290 for IPRA members registered before March 28
1.5 CEUs offered for the 2-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.

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.

National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) Certification Course
May 9-11 at the Elk Grove Park District
Cost: $385 for IPRA members registered before April 18
1.2 CEUs offered for the 3-day workshop.
Click here for registration information.

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.

Revenue Diversification: Sponsorships To Charitable Contributions
Tentatively scheduled for one day during the week of May 15-19 at the
Oakbrook Terrace Park District

As agencies compete for sponsorships and other revenue generating resources there becomes a need to find a competitive edge. Learn how to diversify your revenue sources through foundation events, sponsorships and charitable contributions.

This workshop is hosted by Jerry Handlon, who brings over 30 years of experience in the field of parks and recreation. Jerry is known for his ability to find creative ways of generating revenue through unique sponsorships and events. Paul Amundsen, a foundation consultant, is experienced in all realms of foundation development, governance and helping agencies move forward.

Look for more information on this workshop on the IPRA website in the near future.

"What's New In Office 2003" Training Session
March 8 from 10am-Noon at MicroTrain Technologies in Lombard
Click here to learn more.
Contact Inell Lawrence at 630-981-0213

IPRA has secured a valuable partnership with MicroTrain Technologies to assist in the training of our members. This two-hour session will help you better understand Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

IPRA Unveils Its 2006/2007 Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan and Work Plan for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) covers the two-year period of 2006 and 2007 and is a basic working document to direct the association for the future.

The Strategic Plan is a continuous working document that provides a clear direction for the work of the association as a unified, future developing organization. Its direction is also to support the Board of Directors in a positive decision making process regarding organizational direction, budget and program priorities.

Its core direction follows the mission and values of the association with working towards enhancing and improving programs and services for the members. Staff worked to develop this initial working document to provide clear internal direction of the association with the approval of the Board of Directors.

The Strategic Plan covers the following areas: Association Mission and Values, SWOT Analysis, Critical Issues facing the Association, Goals and Outcomes (Goal I: Education, Goal II: Membership, Goal III: Communications and Marketing, Goal IV: Programs and Services, Goal V: Financial Management, Goal VI: Technology and Goal VII: Operations).

Click here to view the 2006/2007 IPRA Strategic Plan.

It's Time To Renew Your IPRA Membership
2006 is going to be an exciting year for IPRA! The value and benefit of membership in IPRA is increasing and expanding as more and more great resources become available to you online. Our educational workshops and certification program is tops in the nation. We are here to help you advance in your professional career.

Renewal notices have been sent out and the deadline for renewing is March 31. Please contact Polly McKee, Membership/Certification Assistant, if you have any questions.

Nowhere else will you be able to find the type of education, resources, networking and certification opportunities that are here at IPRA. Advance with IPRA!

Chairman Bill McAdam Sits Down With WIPRA The Voice
Listen to IPRA Chairman, Bill McAdam, talk about the plans he has for IPRA this year, the changes he's seen over the years in parks and recreation and the nitty-gritty on IPRA this Friday, February 24.

The show will be taped in the morning and should be ready to air later in the afternoon...pending any major editing that needs to be done.

If you or someone you know is interested in talking on The Voice let us know and we'd be happy to schedule a date. Contact Matt White, Marketing & Communication Director, with your ideas.

Listen to previous show by clicking the logo to the right.
Sit back, relax, and advance with IPRA.

48 Professionals Were Certified Through IPRA In 2005
Certified Park & Recreation Professionals (CPRP)
Caryll Applegate, Charleston Parks & Recreation Dept. Barbara Bassett, NWSRA Angela M. Brown, Channahon Park District Carolyn A. Chambers, SRACLC Kristi L. Chirempes, Hoffman Estates Park District Margaret Dohr, Round Lake Area Park District Brian Dumas, Waukegan Park District Sarah M. Gabel, Batrum Springs, Jacksonville, FL Jenna Gilbertson, SRSNLC Carrie M. Henry, NEDSRA Karla Kelley, Galesburg, IL Toby M. Koontz, Savoy Dept. Of Public Works Rebecca Korzyniewski, Gurnee Park District Angela C. Lee, NWSRA Maryfran Leno, Itasca Park District Nicole M. Martin, Arlington Heights Park District Elizabeth Martinez, Roselle Park District Scott McClaskey, Mt. Prospect Park District Rocco Merlo, Lisle Park District Stephen Neill, Arlington Heights Park District Robert Newport, Round Lake Area Park District Gregory Ney, Buffalo Grove Park District Joseph Patterson, Mt. Prospect Park District Amy Piper, Champaign Park District Shawn Powers, Pleasure Driveway & Park District of Peoria Carrie A. Roelf, Rock Island Parks & Recreation Brad Sabdo, Naperville Park District Tom H. Schelling, Bourbonnais Twp. Park District Joann Snyder, NWSRA Karen Spandikow, Bartlett Park District Kelly Stoeber, Vernon Hills Park District Carrie Stralow, Byron Park District Gregory Vitale, Homewood-Flossmor Park District Max Warner, Park District of Oak Park Marti Whitehouse, Hampshire Park District Anna Wollin, Schaumburg, IL

Associate Park & Recreation Professionals (APRP)
Dean Bissias, Park District of LaGrange Linda Colon, Park District of Highland Park Tracy Ermon, Hazel Crest Park District Claudia Galla, Park District of LaGrange Dayna Heitz, Butterfield Park District LaRon Jones, Peoria Park District Sue A. Kuzmuk, New Lenox Community Park District Pattie Lunkenheimer, McHenry Parks & Recreation Dept. Elaine Mehilos, Wheeling Park District Annette Nocek, Elmhurst Park District Jill Olson, Golf Maine Park District Karl Rosenberg, Cary Park District