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It takes leadership to foster awareness and understanding about the importance of ethics in our lives. That's why IAPD and IPRA have formed a joint task force to study ethical practices for professionals and board members in the field of parks and recreation.

Fairness and equity are paramount when dealing with our constituencies, co-workers and partners in the business of parks and recreation—equity for all, regardless of race, religion, age or gender.

American statesman Adlai Stevenson once said, "It is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

To help boards do more than debate ethical practices, the IAPD has established the following code of ethics.

As a member of the board I will:

• Represent the interests of all people in my community. I will not favor any particular special interests.

• Not use my service on this board for my own personal advantage or for the advantage of my friends or supporters.

• Keep privileged information confidential.

• Approach all board issues with an open mind, prepared to make the best decisions for everyone involved.

• Do nothing to violate the trust of those who elected or appointed me to the board or of those we serve.

• Focus my efforts on the mission of the agency and not on my personal goals.

• Never exercise authority as a board member except when acting in a meeting with the full board or as I am delegated by the board.

We encourage all IAPD members of boards to adopt the above code of ethics, modify it with additional items or substitutions, or develop your own code of ethics.

If you're developing a code of ethics you should at least include the following language:

• Open and honest with dealings of the board and agency

• Equality—every board member abides by the same set of rules (rank has no privilege)

• Personal integrity

• Beyond reproach

• Citizen and staff grievance procedures

• Professional standards

• Respect for professionals and their code of ethics

• Represent the needs and interests of the community to the professional

• Loyalty of the mission and goals of the agency

• High personal standards

Ethical conduct includes moral principles and values. Ethics are personal and just because something is legal (or not illegal) does not make it ethical. Ethics involve judgment.

After adopting your ethics code, you should also conduct annual ethics audits. This gives the board an opportunity to evaluate whether board decisions, conduct and meetings comply with me adopted code. It helps bring the board and agency's core values into focus with the media and the public you serve.

Unless attention (and audits) is given to the code of ethics, it might not be practiced. It might be forgotten. Don't assume it will be followed. An annual or semiannual audit will increase public awareness and remind your fellow board members to practice the code.

Include open discussions on the audit in your annual board retreats. The board that follows a strict code of ethics will more likely be successful in fulfilling its mission to effectively serve the public who elected them to office.

Remember, ethics often include Just being sensitive to how other people would view your actions.

In essence, ethics involves such concepts as trust, duty, honesty, integrity, fairness and professional responsibilities. Unethical conduct is cheating, lying and dishonesty.

Violation of ethical standards is a break of moral duty or principle. Shouldn't we all develop a code of ethics?

6 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

Welcome New Board Members!

YOU ARE A LEADER who has accepted a major civic responsibility. By being elected or appointed to the park, recreation or conservation board, you have made a commitment to give freely of your time and talents to help strengthen and further the park, recreation and conservation mission.

YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for helping to set the goals, formulate policies and establish services that will meet the present and future needs of the citizens in your community. The success of your agency depends greatly on how well you understand your role and how effectively you address your board member responsibilities.

YOU MUST HAVE THE VISION, as a board member, that allows you to see the "big picture" and long-term effects of the decisions you make. You must portray sound judgement by weighing the pros and cons of each issue, and by being open to new ideas.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET ALONG with the chief executive, fellow board members and the public. You should make ethical decisions and have the capacity to "take the heat" when unpopular but necessary decisions are made.

In addition, YOU ARE A PART OF THE STATE AND NATIONAL NETWORK of citizens which represents the public's interest in advancing parks, recreation and conservation.

Our state and national problems are complex, and they require a strong, united voluntary effort of citizen board members.

Some people say parks and recreation are not important, especially during tough economic times. It's true we need fire and police protection and other city services. These are essential for our existence. But parks and recreation give us opportunities to really live and grow, not Just exist.

As a board member you have the opportunity— and the challenge—to use your creativity and resourcefulness for the well-being of the citizens you represent. The need has never been greater to stress clearly and forcefully the importance of parks, recreation and conservation in the lives of all Americans.

AN UNEDUCATED BOARD MEMBER is a dangerous board member. I was once asked by a reporter why commissioners should go to conferences and training programs. I responded by saying, "You elected these officials who are responsible for making decisions about millions of dollars of taxpayer money, and you don't want them educated?" Reporters usually turn around after they understand this.

THE IAPD PROVIDES RESOURCES for you to be knowledgeable about your service to the board and the community. Be sure to take part. Educate yourself and be a better board member. Take advantage of the following services offered by IAPD.

Books and Videos

• The Park Commissioners Handbook
• Are You on Board? A Leadership Guide for Agency Executives and Board Members
• The Park District Code
• The Handbook on Illinois Park District Law
• Will Order Please Come to the Meeting video
• The Grassroots Commitment legislative video
• The Park District Advantage public relations video

Education and Training

• Legislative Conference and Reception (April 29-30 in Springfield)

• Annual Commissioners Seminars (September 6 in Carbondale, September 13 in Wheeling)

• Legal Symposium (October 23 in Oak Brook)

State Conference

Make sure your board includes in its 1998 budget registrations for all board members to attend the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference, held January 22-25 in Chicago.

This is a legitimate park board expense.

The conference is your one-stop source for an array of educational programs designed specifically for board members.

Programs on tap for 1998 include: Boardmanship, The Politics of Parks and Recreation, special sessions for smaller districts. How to Lobby: Is that My Job?, When Being on a Park Board Isn't Fun Any More, Building Partnerships, Dealing with Racism in the Community.

The state conference is also a good time to hold your annual board retreat. Agencies such as the Kankakee Valley Park District do this with great success.

Networking is yet another good reason to attend the conference. You can learn a lot through conversations with board members from around the state.

Look for conference registration info in the September/October Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine. 

- Ted Flickinger, Ph.D.

January/February 1997 / 7