Association News and Announcements

From IAPD . . .

17th ANNUAL COMMISSIONER EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Don't forget to register for the May Commissioner Training Seminar to be held on May 14th, 1983, at the Arlington Place Hotel in Arlington Heights. The 17th Annual Commissioner; Board Member Educational Seminar will provide an orderly progression of instruction in policy methods, techniques and procedures. Educational sessions will feature Don Bresnan, "So Now You Are A Board Member"; Ron Wietech, "Inter-Personal Relationships with the Board and Staff", Don Jessen, "A New Commissioner's Point of View and Survival Kit", and JoAnne Baker, "Retaining/ Obtaining Positive Communication with the Media." Further information and registration forms will be in the "Communicator" newsletter.

DOC Opposes IAPD On Open Spaces Bill A bill submitted by Representative Alfred Ronan (District 12) to amend the Open Space Lands Acquisition Act was opposed by the Department of Conservation in oral testimony on April 27th in the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee. Although H.B. 995 is not part of the IAPD platform the legislation is almost an exact duplicate of H.B. 1830 which will provide authority to fund capital development projects as well as land acquisition. Both bills permit the DOC to make grants to local governments with monies appropriated from the State Capital Development Board Funds. The "lobbyist" (legislative liaison) for the DOC indicated he would also oppose H.B. 1830. We find this action quite ironic since (1) We thought DOC stood for the acquisition of open spaces; (2) promoted recreation throughout the state; and (3) were identified (in H.B. 1830) to receive a portion of the funds for state projects. It seems we were wrong. Our question then is: WHAT DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION STAND FOR?

"WE CAN'T GO ON MEETING LIKE THIS"

A second session of the Parliamentary Procedures Workshop is scheduled for June 4th, 1983 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program will contain a brief review for those beginners to parliamentary procedures and continue with indepth instruction. This is an exciting, quite informative seminar, not what you might expect with this subject.

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From IPRA .. .

JOINT PURCHASING — A REAL BUY!

Can you imagine purchasing over $390,000 in maintenance supplies or $210,000 in athletic and recreation equipment? That's exactly what the IPRA Joint Purchasing Committee just did. The committee saved the 80+ agencies that participated thousands of dollars by purchasing in large amounts. This project was initiated by the Park Section and the mechanism developed by Steve Plumb who still chairs the maintenance supply portion. He in turn gave his process to the Recreation Section for use in the purchase of athletic supplies and recreation equipment which was coordinated by Denny DeLance. A special thanks is in order for those members and their committees. Any interested agency who has not been involved in the past should contact the IPRA office.

LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN

A special task force was formed to study IPRA's long range financial plan and make recommendations to insure the future stability of the association. Working with the committee, we developed a cost analysis of IPRA's services. The data obtained will be used to determine the cost effectiveness of IPRA's operation and the adequacy of the current dues system.

BOARD POSITIONS OPEN

Every year the nominating committee is charged with soliciting membership input to develop the slate for election of the IPRA officers and the Board of Directors. This is an enormous task considering that we have over 1650 members, 350 of which are actively involved in association and section activities.

The committee is tentatively planning to try something new in its nomination process. In addition to seeking input from the affiliates for potential candidates, the committee is making available candidate interest forms to any voting member who would like to run for a position.

These interest forms would enable all members to show individual interest in becoming a Board member.

This process will also aid the nominating committee in learning more about potential candidates. The candidate interest forms are available from the IPRA office or from Robin Hall, Chairman of the Nominating committee. Please don't be shy. An unknown source once said, "I can't read minds, how do I know what you want, unless you tell me".

NRPA TOUR

Specifics on the IPRA Tour to Kansas City, October 2-6, 1983 for the NRPA Congress are now available. All members should have received the information. If not, please call Chris at the office for details (312) 991-2820.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

All sorts of special events are being planned to promote public awareness of leisure and parks and recreation. See IPRA event column for all the details.

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Illinois Parks and Recreation May/June 1983

FROM IAPD (Cont.)

LEGISLATORS GOLF OUTING

The August 5th Legislators Golf Outing is scheduled for Arrowhead Golf Course in Wheaton. Be sure to extend a special invitation to your legislators) to enjoy a day of fun, activity, and golf.

THANKS, MEMBERS!

A special thanks goes to the following districts who have contributed to the IAPD dues check-off program:

Addison, Arlington Heights, Carbondale, Carol Stream, Champaign, Chicago Ridge, Dixon, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Homewood-Flossmoor, Litchfield, Norridge. Oswegoland, Olympia Fields, Palatine, Park Ridge, River Trails, Rockford, Roselle, Skokie, Sterling, Streamwood, Sumner, Westmont, Wheeling, Zion.

It is through their leadership that the legislative "800" number was established, a computer hook-up with the Capitol Information Service, and the IAPD/IPRA Legislative Directory were purchased. More developments are being considered as agencies continue to contribute.

STUDY ON ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF PARKS & RECREATION IN ILLINOIS INITIATED

Recreation is big business with an annual expenditure of over $244 billion in the United States, an estimated $12 billion of it in Illinois alone. This was the amount spent for recreation on a national level in 1981 compared to $58 billion in 1965, a 47% real-dollar increase.

The economics of recreation touches each community, benefiting both the private and public sectors. People are spending more and more of their disposable income on recreational equipment, entertainment, and a variety of leisure pursuits. It is estimated that Illinoisans allocate 10% to 12% of their salaries for personal recreation/leisure pursuits, spending more for leisure than transportation or medical care.

The impact to retail and wholesale business as well as manufacturers of recreational equipment is extremely significant. "We estimate that public park, forest preserve, and conservation districts supply 70% of all the golf courses, tennis courts, and indoor facilities for the use of recreation equipment produced by industry. Local governments supply many markets for Wilson, Dunlop, MacGregor, and hundreds of other companies which produce recreation products," stated Ted Flickinger, IAPD Executive Director. Furthermore, nationally there are over five million jobs in manufacturing, retailing, and service industries dependent upon recreation. Another half million people are employed by public park and recreation agencies.

The basic premise of this study, being embarked upon by the IAPD, is to document the role of recreation in the state economy and to show that an investment in recreation by local, regional, and state governments is truly an investment in life. Task force members include representatives from IAPD, IPRA, the Illinois Department of Conservation, Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Open Lands Project, Upper Illinois Valley Association, and others not yet appointed.

FROM IPRA (Cont.)

The Run to Springfield will once again kick off the opening of the Illinois State Fair. Runners from northern and southern Illinois will relay the scissors to Springfield presenting them to Governor Thompson to cut the ribbon. The event, which has received tremendous media coverage downstate will be financed in part by Budweiser Light.

Another exciting possibility for public awareness is IPRA sponsorship of a Triatholon along the north shore area of Chicago. The committee is tentatively planning the event for August pending commercial sponsorship. We will need a lot of assistance and any member interested in this project should contact the IPRA office.

Illinois Parks and Recreation   7     May/June 1983