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Click Here for IPRA Calendar or Submit an IPRA meeting or event APRIL 4/18-19 Aquatic Facility Operator Certification Course 4/20 Ethnic Minority Section Meeting 4/20 School Age-Day Camp Committee Meeting 4/21 Senior Committee Meeting 4/26 Environmental Committee Meeting MAY 5/4 Participant Services Division of ITRS Meeting 5/4 IPRA Teacher Appreciation Award Dinner 5/4 Local Parks & Recreation Development: Useful Tools and Information for your Community 5/9 Teen Committee Meeting 5/9-11 National Playground Safety Institute Certification Course 5/11 School Age-Day Camp Committee Meeting 5/12 Facility Management Section Meeting 5/12 Promotion Positive Change Through Staff Training 5/17 Revenue Diversification: From Sponsorships to Contributions 5/18 Recreation Section Meeting 5/19 Basic Leadership Training - Aquatics 5/19 Senior Committee Meeting 5/19 Racquet Sports Roundtable 5/19 Facility Management Section Social 5/23 HR Manager's Luncheon JUNE 6/1 ITRS Meeting 6/1 Basic Leadership Training - Aquatics 6/15 IPRA Board of Directors Business Meeting 6/16 Senior Committee Meeting 6/23 Facility Management Section Meeting 6/24 Camp Counselor Challenge 6/27 & 29 IPRA Day at Six Flags Great America JULY 7/3-7/9 Western Open Volunteering 7/5 Kane County Cougars vs. Dayton Dragons 7/7 Senior Committee Meeting 7/12 & 13 & 15 IPRA Day at Six Flags Great America 7/13 Schaumburg Flyers vs. Gary Railcats 7/17 Kane County Cougars vs. Lansing Lugnuts 7/20 Recreation Section Meeting 7/20 Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros 7/26 Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins AUGUST 8/3 & 5 IPRA Day at Six Flags Great America 8/5 IPRA Lifeguard Games 8/9 IPRA Overnight Teen Canoe Trip 8/18 Senior Committee Meeting 8/18 Facility Management Section Meeting 8/19 Park District Conservation Day 8/24 ITRS Lunch Meeting SEPTEMBER 9/7 IPRA Board of Directors Business Meeting 9/12 C&M Section Board Meeting and Roundtable Discussion 9/14 School Age - Day Camp Committee Meeting 9/15 Senior Committee Meeting 9/19 Aquatic Facility Operators Certification Course 9/19 CPRP Study Night 9/21 Recreation Section Meeting 9/23 2nd Annual Park Pursuit 9/26 HR Manager's Luncheon 9/29 Sprecher 5,000 Golf Classic Read These Articles and More Online or Submit your news releases to IPRA APRIL 4/13 Scholten Elected IPRA Secretary of the Board 4/10 OSLAD Online Grant Application 4/07 Get Illinois Senate & House Updates 4/05 Annual Ski Trip - Still Attracting Teens & Adults Alike 4/05 Bloom-o-Meter makes chasing the blooms easy 4/05 IPRA Announces Summer Interns 4/05 Curtis Gentry Recognized as Influential African-American MARCH 3/29 Secretary Interior Gale Norton Resigns 3/29 Advocates for LWCF State Assistance Program Wrap up House Dear Colleague Letter 3/29 Bloom-o-Meter makes chasing the blooms easy 3/23 Congrats to The White Family!! 3/23 IPRA Replaces Phone System Order your plate TODAY Advertise Here 2005 March April May May extra June June extra July August August extra September October November December December extra 2006 January February February extra March	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: From Sponsorships to Contributions May 17 at the Oakbrook Park District Cost: $99 for IPRA members registered before May 3 0.4 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop Click here for registration information. Park districts around the state and across the country are looking for ways to off-set costs and diversify revenue. When revenue discussions arise, the topics of sponsorships, charitable contributions, and foundations are not far behind. Is your agency really ready to raise money, or are there more productive options that are right for your district and your community? Join the IPRA for a four-hour workshop and networking luncheon designed to help attendees assess their options and learn how to get money in the door. Who should attend? This innovative workshop is designed for those professionals (Foundation Board Members or Officers, Commissioners, Financial Officers, Development Personnel) responsible for securing funds through foundations, sponsorships, and special events. 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. Thank you to our 2006 Spring Training sponsors: Local Parks & Recreation Development: Useful Tools and Information for your Community May 4 at the Bureau County Metro Center, Princeton, IL Cost: $20 for IPRA members registered before April 25 0.3 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop Click here for registration information. Regardless of size, communities are valuable and deserve recreation and leisure opportunities. What is standing in your way to provide or enhance the benefits of parks and recreation to your community. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Office of Recreation and Park Services through the University of Illinois and the Illinois Park & Recreation Association. It will provide you with practical tools to take your services to the next level. It will feature guest speakers Robin Hall, Dr. Laura Payne, and LoriKay Paden. Promoting Positive Change Through Staff Training May 4 at the Lisle Park District (Meadows Center) Cost: $10 for Facility Management section members, $30 for IPRA members 0.3 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop Click here for registration information. This workshop is presented by Juliene Hefter, Deputy Director of Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, and hosted by the Facility Management Section. Learn how to discuss sexual harassment training with your staff in understandable or laymen terms. In addition participants will actively learn about team building activities that they can implement at their own part-time staff trainings. Basic Leadership Training - Aquatics May 19 at the Wheaton Park District (Community Center) Cost: $30 for IPRA members Contact Karen Spandikow at the Bartlett Park District for more information, (630) 540-4828 This training course is designed for pool managerial staff to help teach the fundamentals of running an Aquatic Facility. Participants will gain valuable training on dealing with issues pertaining to staff, patrons, facilities, emergency action planning and training, etc. Though this training will satisfy the Ellis and Associates requirement for “Basic Leadership Training,” it is designed to benefit pool managers of all other certifications including Red Cross and Starfish Aquatics. Enhancements Being Made to Job Opportunities Website The IPRA job opportunities page on ILipra.org is already the #1 source for searching jobs in the parks and recreation field...but coming soon landing those jobs will be made a lot easier! Coming in May, you will now be able to easily upload resume and cover letter information for hiring agencies to view! The new resume builder functionality is perfect for graduating college students looking to break into the parks and recreation field as well as current members looking to make a career move. Agencies looking to fill positions will now be able to view the resumes of prospective candidates and actually be able to seek out people they want for jobs! Look for more information in May on the IPRA website. Need CEUs? Rent a Video from our Library The May 31 date for renewing your certification is quickly approaching and over 500 professionals need to renew their certification (renewal period June 1,2004 - June 1, 2006). Recognized as a leader in parks and recreation, Illinois is also a leader in certifying its professionals. A CEU is NOT just a number…being certified is an acknowledgement of your personal commitment to the field. Becoming and remaining certified is the key to unlocking doors on your way to the top of the field. To renew, you must have earned a total of 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) or equivalent academic credit. Invoices are being sent out April 13 and payment must to be received at IPRA no later than September 1. This grace period of 90 days is allowed to provide verification of 2.0 CEUs and remit payment. Remember that CEUs must be obtained by May 31 to qualify for renewal if your certification date is June 1, 2006. Did you know that IPRA has over 20 helpful videos you can rent to earn some CEUs? Don't get caught scrambling at the last minute...rent some videos today. Click here for the video rental form. Click here to login and check your CEUs online. IPRA's Recreation Section Lends a Helping Hand Kudos to the Recreation Section who will be donating $1,000 to the NRPA Hurricane Relief Fund. This donation, which provides relief to NRPA members that have been displaced, will be split evenly between the Gulf Coast Park & Relief Fund and the Sports Illustrated Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund. The Gulf Coast Park & Relief Fund will help in the reconstruction of park and recreation facilities as well as programs and services such as senior centers, child care centers, therapeutic recreation services, fine and performing art programs. The Sports Illustrated Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund will help to rebuild facilities and services such as fields (soccer, baseball, softball, football, etc), tennis and basketball courts, pool and aquatic facilities and skateparks. Recently Certified Professionals! Certified Park & Recreation Professionals (CPRP) N/A Associate Park & Recreation Professionals (APRP) Patrick Berry, Gurnee Park District Camp Counselor Challenge June 24 at the Bensenville Park District Cost: $65 for IPRA members Registration deadline is June 9 Click here for registration information. Do you have great camp counselors? Do you want to motivate them to do their best? Camp counselors will have the opportunity to compete against other teams of counselors throughout the area to be the “Best team of counselors.” A team is comprised of 4 counselors. Hurry and get your team ready for some fun! Volunteer For The 2006 Western Open IPRA is pleased to announce that there are already over 260 people signed up to volunteer for the Western Open! Be apart of the Western Open tradition and volunteer your time this summer. IPRA coordinates to the only free volunteering program at the Western Open. Not only will you get to hang out with your friends and contribute to the largest group of volunteers at the golf tournament, you will also get a free golf shirt, a free hat/visor, free food and drinks and free admission for the days you aren't volunteering! Volunteers are needed to help with the Wee Western, the childcare program for the players' children. If you are in the recreation section and work primarily with young kids this is the perfect opportunity for you! Play basketball, swim, hang out, go on day-trips...helping out with the Wee Western is a really fun time. Register to volunteer with our online application. Register to volunteer with our mail-in application form. "Category 5" Fun at Hurrican Harbor The new Hurricane Harbor water park at Six Flags Great America is making waves this summer! Join us on June 27, June 29, July 12, July 13, July 15, August 3 or August 5 for IPRA Days. Plan a group outing for your day camps this summer and have a ton of fun. Tickets are purchased on consignment and your agency will not be billed until a final count is determined on August 17. Tickets are only $28 versus the regular gate price of $56. Click here to get registered. Park Pursuit Champs Say "Bring It On !" Think you have what it takes to defeat the reigning Park Pursuit champions, the Manhattan Park District? Julie Kurczewski, Executive Director of MPD, wants everyone out there to know, "We run to win; so watch our dust; we can't be beat; try if you must. Bring it on!!!" Other team members on the mighty Manhattan squad said, "Lose the title? Won't happen. We're #1 and nothing but." Remember to save the date of Friday, September 22 for the 2nd annual Park Pursuit. This year's event will take place in the beautiful Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Registration will begin May 1 so begin thinking about your team of four. The Park Pursuit is a great team building excercise...it promotes healthy competition...and of course it makes you recreate! Look for more information in upcoming eNewsletters and on the IPRA website.
Copyright © 2006 Illinois Park & Recreation Assoc. IPRA Website

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: From Sponsorships to Contributions
May 17 at the Oakbrook Park District
Cost: $99 for IPRA members registered before May 3
0.4 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop
Click here for registration information.

Park districts around the state and across the country are looking for ways to off-set costs and diversify revenue. When revenue discussions arise, the topics of sponsorships, charitable contributions, and foundations are not far behind.

Is your agency really ready to raise money, or are there more productive options that are right for your district and your community? Join the IPRA for a four-hour workshop and networking luncheon designed to help attendees assess their options and learn how to get money in the door.

Who should attend?
This innovative workshop is designed for those professionals (Foundation Board Members or Officers, Commissioners, Financial Officers, Development Personnel) responsible for securing funds through foundations, sponsorships, and special events.

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.

Thank you to our 2006 Spring Training sponsors:

Local Parks & Recreation Development:
Useful Tools and Information for your Community
May 4 at the Bureau County Metro Center, Princeton, IL
Cost: $20 for IPRA members registered before April 25
0.3 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop
Click here for registration information.

Regardless of size, communities are valuable and deserve recreation and leisure opportunities. What is standing in your way to provide or enhance the benefits of parks and recreation to your community. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Office of Recreation and Park Services through the University of Illinois and the Illinois Park & Recreation Association. It will provide you with practical tools to take your services to the next level. It will feature guest speakers Robin Hall, Dr. Laura Payne, and LoriKay Paden.

Promoting Positive Change Through Staff Training
May 4 at the Lisle Park District (Meadows Center)
Cost: $10 for Facility Management section members, $30 for IPRA members
0.3 CEUs offered for the 1-day workshop
Click here for registration information.

This workshop is presented by Juliene Hefter, Deputy Director of Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, and hosted by the Facility Management Section. Learn how to discuss sexual harassment training with your staff in understandable or laymen terms. In addition participants will actively learn about team building activities that they can implement at their own part-time staff trainings.

Basic Leadership Training - Aquatics
May 19 at the Wheaton Park District (Community Center)
Cost: $30 for IPRA members
Contact Karen Spandikow at the Bartlett Park District for more information, (630) 540-4828

This training course is designed for pool managerial staff to help teach the fundamentals of running an Aquatic Facility. Participants will gain valuable training on dealing with issues pertaining to staff, patrons, facilities, emergency action planning and training, etc.

Though this training will satisfy the Ellis and Associates requirement for “Basic Leadership Training,” it is designed to benefit pool managers of all other certifications including Red Cross and Starfish Aquatics.

Enhancements Being Made to Job Opportunities Website
The IPRA job opportunities page on ILipra.org is already the #1 source for searching jobs in the parks and recreation field...but coming soon landing those jobs will be made a lot easier!

Coming in May, you will now be able to easily upload resume and cover letter information for hiring agencies to view!

The new resume builder functionality is perfect for graduating college students looking to break into the parks and recreation field as well as current members looking to make a career move. Agencies looking to fill positions will now be able to view the resumes of prospective candidates and actually be able to seek out people they want for jobs!

Look for more information in May on the IPRA website.

Need CEUs? Rent a Video from our Library
The May 31 date for renewing your certification is quickly approaching and over 500 professionals need to renew their certification (renewal period June 1,2004 - June 1, 2006).

Recognized as a leader in parks and recreation, Illinois is also a leader in certifying its professionals. A CEU is NOT just a number…being certified is an acknowledgement of your personal commitment to the field. Becoming and remaining certified is the key to unlocking doors on your way to the top of the field.

To renew, you must have earned a total of 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) or equivalent academic credit. Invoices are being sent out April 13 and payment must to be received at IPRA no later than September 1. This grace period of 90 days is allowed to provide verification of 2.0 CEUs and remit payment. Remember that CEUs must be obtained by May 31 to qualify for renewal if your certification date is June 1, 2006.

Did you know that IPRA has over 20 helpful videos you can rent to earn some CEUs? Don't get caught scrambling at the last minute...rent some videos today.

Click here for the video rental form.
Click here to login and check your CEUs online.

IPRA's Recreation Section Lends a Helping Hand
Kudos to the Recreation Section who will be donating $1,000 to the NRPA Hurricane Relief Fund. This donation, which provides relief to NRPA members that have been displaced, will be split evenly between the Gulf Coast Park & Relief Fund and the Sports Illustrated Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund.

The Gulf Coast Park & Relief Fund will help in the reconstruction of park and recreation facilities as well as programs and services such as senior centers, child care centers, therapeutic recreation services, fine and performing art programs.

The Sports Illustrated Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund will help to rebuild facilities and services such as fields (soccer, baseball, softball, football, etc), tennis and basketball courts, pool and aquatic facilities and skateparks.

Recently Certified Professionals!
Certified Park & Recreation Professionals (CPRP)
N/A

Associate Park & Recreation Professionals (APRP)
Patrick Berry, Gurnee Park District

Camp Counselor Challenge
June 24 at the Bensenville Park District
Cost: $65 for IPRA members
Registration deadline is June 9
Click here for registration information.

Do you have great camp counselors? Do you want to motivate them to do their best? Camp counselors will have the opportunity to compete against other teams of counselors throughout the area to be the “Best team of counselors.”

A team is comprised of 4 counselors. Hurry and get your team ready for some fun!

Volunteer For The 2006 Western Open
IPRA is pleased to announce that there are already over 260 people signed up to volunteer for the Western Open! Be apart of the Western Open tradition and volunteer your time this summer.

IPRA coordinates to the only free volunteering program at the Western Open. Not only will you get to hang out with your friends and contribute to the largest group of volunteers at the golf tournament, you will also get a free golf shirt, a free hat/visor, free food and drinks and free admission for the days you aren't volunteering!

Volunteers are needed to help with the Wee Western, the childcare program for the players' children. If you are in the recreation section and work primarily with young kids this is the perfect opportunity for you! Play basketball, swim, hang out, go on day-trips...helping out with the Wee Western is a really fun time.

"Category 5" Fun at Hurrican Harbor

The new Hurricane Harbor water park at Six Flags Great America is making waves this summer! Join us on June 27, June 29, July 12, July 13, July 15, August 3 or August 5 for IPRA Days.

Plan a group outing for your day camps this summer and have a ton of fun. Tickets are purchased on consignment and your agency will not be billed until a final count is determined on August 17.

Tickets are only $28 versus the regular gate price of $56.

Click here to get registered.

Park Pursuit Champs Say "Bring It On !"

Think you have what it takes to defeat the reigning Park Pursuit champions, the Manhattan Park District?

Julie Kurczewski, Executive Director of MPD, wants everyone out there to know, "We run to win; so watch our dust; we can't be beat; try if you must. Bring it on!!!"

Other team members on the mighty Manhattan squad said, "Lose the title? Won't happen. We're #1 and nothing but."

Remember to save the date of Friday, September 22 for the 2nd annual Park Pursuit. This year's event will take place in the beautiful Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Registration will begin May 1 so begin thinking about your team of four. The Park Pursuit is a great team building excercise...it promotes healthy competition...and of course it makes you recreate! Look for more information in upcoming eNewsletters and on the IPRA website.