People need to know the commitment it takes to be an effective board member.
ACROSS THE BOARD
Serving on a Park Board Can Change Your Life

Making decisions that affect the lives of thousands of people, which is the work of the board member, can be agonizing or exhilarating. But most of the time serving on a park or forest preserve board is a very rewarding experience.

Take some time to reflect. Think about how your decisions have put smiles on peoples faces. Think of the Easter egg hunts, the festivities of the holidays—recognizing Hanukkah and the expression on a child's face seeing Santa for the first time.

Drive around your community and observe in appreciation the open spaces, parks and recreation areas. Hear the laughter of children and adults enjoying the opportunities to have fun. Listen to the child talking to his or her parents about the base hit, the touchdown they scored or the discovery they made at the nature center.

Can you recall the senior citizen talking about the first painting they ever completed or the fun they had in singing and playing in a rag time band? Take time to visit your recreation programs, areas and facilities and observe the excitement and fun people are experiencing, then take a deep breath and expand your chest with pride; you had a lot to do with mis.

Park district board service can be the most rewarding, uplifting experience of your life. However, board members can experience stress and frustration. Yet these experiences should be minimal. You first must recognize that it is impossible to please everyone—even your friends, relatives and fellow board members. You can serve with pride and the highest ethics by remembering the Golden Rule and making sure that your thought process for every decision considers whether this is right for the residents of the community.

Are you thinking big picture or special interest? Remember to be tough skinned and not take criticism personally. You might be asked for special favors or blamed for almost everything mat goes wrong. Oftentimes, the only people you hear from are those who are irate. When this happens just picture in your mind thousands of smiling faces.

One of the most difficult tasks of being a board member is working harmoniously with fellow board members, especially those who frequendy want to be argumentative. Your relationship with board members that you have developed a close friendship with can be challenged when major differences of opinions become apparent or controversial issues evolve. Again, remember the Golden Rule and work together for the sake of the majority of residents and in spite of personal disagreements.

Advice for Prospective Board Members
People need to know the commitment it takes to be an effective board member. I suggest that each park board develop a brochure describing board responsibilities and duties as well as the pros and cons of serving on the board. This brochure should be made available to all citizens who are thinking about running for election or being appointed to the park board. Make sure potential board members know their service will have a very positive Impact on the community. It's also a patriotic cause and a chance to give back to the community.

Also let them know that serving is a time commitment. There are the monthly board meetings, special meetings, committee meetings, educational seminars and conferences, special events and dedications. In addition, there are phone calls, invitations (some cosly) and volume after volume of reports and information to read. It's necessary to have a very supportive spouse and children due to the time constraints and pressures.

Prospective board members should express:

• a willingness to give time and energy to learn and cany out board duties;

• a willingness to make personal sacrifices, such as time away from family and work;

• respect for varied opinions, points of view and back- grounds;

• the ability to inspire the community's respect and support;

• a willingness to support board decisions, even when the decision conflicts with his or her personal views;

6 ¦ Illinois Parks and Recreation

• an interest in participating in discussions with demonstrated reasoning, good judgement and the courage of personal convictions;

• an ability to handle media criticisms of board decisions;

• support for the executive director in his or her role

as manager of the agency; and

• high ethical standards.

In recruiting the best possible board members for your agency, key questions to ask potential candidates include:

• Why do you want to serve on the board?

• What organizations (local, civic, business or trade) have you served? What were your major accomplishments? (Ask for references from these organizations and follow-up. Determine from these background checks how the individual works with others to resolve issues or differing opinions.)

• What is your overall impression of the park district, its board and staff?

• How will political ties affect your board service?

• What issues do you want to see addressed by the park board?

• How do you see the role of the board member as it relates to the role of the director and staff?

Remember reciprocity during this question/answer period. Candidates should have a chance to ask questions of the board and staff. Supply candidates with ample information about the agency, arrange tours of the district and other orientation programs. (See related sidebar for resources to provide new board members.)

In conclusion, I would wager that most of the 2, 100 board members who are members of the Illinois Association of Park Districts would say that if they had to do it over again, they would. Some have reported to me that serving on a park board has changed their lives. Some have found lifelong friendships with fellow board members. Some have received high honors and recognition in their community. Some report that their spouse, children and relatives are very proud of their service.

Your decision as a park board member can shape the community, a person's life, and the agency's future. The benefits of serving as a park board member are almost endless. 

Take time to visit your recreation programs, areas and facilities and observe the excitement and fun people are experiencing/ then take a deep breath and expand your chest with pride; you had a lot to do with this.

Preparing Your New Board Members With the April 13 elections fast approaching, many boards soon will have new members. Anticipating some turnover is a. good idea. Now's the time to prepare resources for your new and seasoned board members, so the transition is smoother and the learning curve a bit shorter. IAPD suggests the following for new board member orientation packets: • agency brochures and minutes of meetings for the last year • agency operations and policy manual • board policy manual • agency and board code of ethics • parliamentary procedure guidelines Board member resources available from IAPD: • The Park Commissioners Handbook • Are You On Board? A Leadership Guide for Agency Executives and Board Members • The Park District Cede • The Handbook on Illinois Park District Law (3rd edition, fully updated with a CD-Rom for release in early May 1999) • An IAPD Pocket Guide to Park District Financial Procedures • parliamentary procedures laminated card • "IAPD Benefits of Membership" video • "Will Order Please Come to the Meeting?" boardmanship training video commissioner pin Simply contact IAPD for an order form with prices and more resources: IAPD, 211 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1186, 217.523.4554 (phone), 217.523.4273 (fax), iapd@eosinc.com.

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