From the desk of:
Executive Vice President

By Eugene Berghoff

Our recent May Drive-ins were well attended by new park board members. From the communications received in the office, the topics were very informative and generally set a pattern for orienting new members.

Realizing that a great number of newly elected commissioners were unable to attend the meetings, I urge incumbents of park boards to work with the new board members in explaining the various duties, responsibilities and policies of their district.

Some districts have compiled a booklet explaining such items as staff duties and responsibilities, budget and finance, park policies, how the meetings are conducted, a sample agenda and a brief history of the district.

A new commissioner must learn as much as possible about his duties and responsibilities and to cooperate and work with the rest of the board in maintaining and improving its parks and recreation programs.

In addition, a new commissioner must be interested and dedicated to the office to which he was elected, be willing to educate himself concerning all policies, problems, realizing he is an elected representative of the people and to think about their wants and needs rather than his personal interest. He must spend as much time as possible in the field reviewing park district properties, programs and to spend much time with staff personnel, so that this self-education can be applied in establishing new policies or to revise existing ones.

In summation, we want all the newly elected commissioners to participate in their association by attending meetings, and to feel free, at any time, to contact the office requesting assistance or information with any problem they may have.

IAPD and IPRS believe that the democratic process functions best through frank and open discussion. Material published in this magazine, therefore often presents divergent and controversial points of view which do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the two sponsoring organizations.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 3 September/October, 1975