Over the past 8 months a committee of involved citizens and professionals has worked collectively to provide the first Marathon south of the loop.  The race will run through Palos Heights on Sunday, May 4^th.
At this time, the committee is looking for Volunteers age 18 & up. Several volunteer opportunities are available such as volunteer check-in, gear check, directional/greeters, course marshals, water station, finish lines and refreshments. Duties will be assigned based on experience and need. Volunteers are needed to start at 5:00am on Sunday, May 4^th.  Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and coffee the morning of the race. Volunteer orientation and dinner will be held Wednesday, April 30^th, at 7:00pm.  All volunteers must be pre-registered and attend orientation.  Attached are volunteer sign-up forms, if interested, complete and fax back.
Hopefully, you are available to volunteer.  If possible, forward this information to your communities’ volunteers.  For more information, contact Mike Baiardo at 708-389-1003 or Lori Chesna at 708-389-9423. 

Save the date!

On September 18 the IPRA Statewide Senior Luncheon will take place at the Carlisle Banquet Hall in Lombard. There will be great entertainment, great food, and opportunities to network with other park district professionals from across the state.

The cost is only $35 per person but a flyer with more details will be available shortly.

If you think your group might be interested, please email Rita Mulholland of the Elmhurst Park District at rmulholland [at] epd [dot] org.

Can anyone recommend an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic easter eggs? They are not biodegradable.

Phyllis Schmidt

Park District of Franklin Park

(847)451-8135

pschmidt@fpparks.org

The Itasca Park District is looking for a new photographer and videographer for our annual dance recital.  Are there any recommendations for who we can contact from surrounding park districts/organizations?

Please contact me with any information.  Thank you!

Abbie Cochran

Aquatics/Recreation Supervisor

Itasca Park District

abbie@itascaparkdistrict.com

630-773-2257 ext. 117

Happy Holidays!!!
During the holiday season, we need to also remember to give back to the parks and recreation field.  As the IPRA/IAPD 2008 Conference draws near, the conference committee is reaching out to professionals to volunteer time at the Professional Connection.  It is an opportunity for students to network with professionals who have experience in their area of interest. We are looking for all levels of professionals; Coordinator, Supervisor, Manager, Superintendent and Director.  Attached is a copy of a flyer, if you are interested please complete the flyer and fax it back to the contact information.
If you are not able to make the event, we hope to have your support by donating giveaways; sweatshirts, t-shirts, bags, mugs, etc…  The goal of the committee is to giveaway one raffle per student.  Therefore, please contact Mike Baiardo at mbaiardo@alsipparks.org to arrange for pick up of any items your agency may be able to donate. 
Thank you for your consideration and time, have a wonderful holiday season. 

professional-connection-flyer.pdf

The Itasca Park District is looking to adopt an Athletic Field Allocation Policy. We are looking for examples of other park districts Field Allocation Policies. If you have a policy and are willing to email a copy of it to me, I would be greatly appreciative. My contact information is as follows:

Thank you,

Ryan Jastrzab

Superintendent of Recreation

Itasca Park District

ryan@itascaparkdistrict.com

630-773-2257

The Itasca Park District is gathering information  on Babysitting Services.  If your agency offers a babysitting service, would you be able to provide the following information?

What is your agency’s babysitting rates?  Hourly?  Daily?  Monthly?

What is your agency’s babysitting hours of operation? 

Does your agency offer evening babysitting?

Does your agency offer discounts to part time staff that utilize your babysitting service? 

Thank you for your help! karyn@itascaparkdistrict.com 

Providing usable info is what we do!  Join the recreation administrators group within the recreation section on November 30 at 1pm at the River Trails Park District (1500 E. Euclid Ave. in Mount Prospect) for a discussion on fees (from swim lessons and aquatic passes and camp fees and dance classes). 

This is a great opportunity to bring program fees and information to share with others.  You will meet some great contacts, share some great information, and learn a thing or two in the process. 

PLEASE RSVP TO: Steven Nagle at the Waukegan Park District (snagle@waukeganparks.org or 847-782-3620) or Steve Muenz at the St. Charles Park District (smuenz@st-charlesparks.org or 630-513-4337).

We are looking to organize an All-Star Basketball Tournament for 5th-6th & 7th-8th grade boys.  Does your agency have a basketball league for these age groups?  Would you be willing to participate in this type of event?  Tournament details are still to be formed based on participation interest.   Please contact Ed Bjes with ideas, questions, or comments.    ebjes@heparks.org

Do not miss your opportunity to recognize members of the Recreation Section. You can nominate an individual for Al Hattendorf Professional of the Year, Young Professional of the Year or the Marcy Adams Spirit Award. All nominations are due September 27 to Debbie Karner. Please read attached nomination form. Recreation Section Award Nomination Form

The awards will be presented at the Joint Section Luncheon and Workshop on November 2 at the Park District of LaGrange . This is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with section members from Facility Management and Recreation as both sections conduct their annual meeting, learn about new ways to get involved with your section during the meet and greet, have a fantastic luncheon (where the awards will be presented), and conclude the day with a workshop on Green Buildings and Programs. The cost for Facility Management and Recreation Section members is $25 for the luncheon and workshop. If you have not utilized your MARC card yet, you can also utilize the MARC card, which would make this fantastic opportunity free.