Dear Editor:

This letter is for all those who debated attending the School of Arts Management this year and, for one reason or another, did not.

The week spent in beautiful Ogleby park, Wheeling, West Virginia, provided those attending the school the opportunity to learn from the expertise of the speakers and to explore and gather information on subjects such as programming, funding, team building, public relations, facility planning, and fiscal management.

But... best of all, the blend of Park and Recreational professionals and Cultural Arts specialists provided the perfect atmosphere for the gathering and sharing of creative ideas. Plus the comprehensive resources list complied from all those who attended will provide a valuable tool for years to come.

We would like to thank the National Park and Recreation Association, the Board of Regents of the School of Arts Management, and the North Carolina State University Department of Recreation Resources Administration for their commitment to cultural arts management by providing this program.

For those who were not able to attend, we urge you to do so in 1980.

Gayle Binder, Deer field Park District

Mary J. Straus Park District of Highland Park

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Dear Editor:

The recent adoption and implementation of the Guidelines for Continuing Education by IPRA should be generally recognized by the membership as a positive step in the further development of professionalism in Illinois.

There are some concerns that I have, however, which may be shared by others. All of the opportunities listed are offered at a fee. Some professionals have most expenses incurred during professional development paid by the employing agency. Usually the persons receiving these benefits are in senior level management positions. I wonder what effect these requirements are going to have on low and middle management personnel who do not receive these kinds of benefits.

When expenses for professional membership, registration for conferences, hotel bills, food, travel, etc. are all totaled for a year, the resulting figures are startling. As most people belong to the state and national P & R Associations and many belong to additional organizations, it is not unrealistic to spend $500.00 annually for basic professional activites which do not include the additional requirements of the Continuing Education program.

The jeopardy would seem to be the number of people that might be reverted to associate status because of the inability to comply with earning seven points each year. These comments may be academic at this point as the program is new. I think, however, a close watch should be kept on membership status changes to determine what effect the new requirements might have on membership. If individuals revert from professional to associate membership through financial inability to earn the necessary points, what effect will this have on their continued participation in IPRA?

In conclusion, I strongly support the concept of continuing education. I am hopeful that the program is successful in either its present form or if necessary, a modified form which will meet both member needs and the need for continued professional development in Illinois.

Dr. Owen Smith, Asst. Prof. Department of Recreation Southern Illinois University

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 September/October, 1979