ILLINOIS PARK AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION DAN NEWPORT, President Elmhurst Park District ROBIN HALL, President-Elect Urbana Park District GERALD M. OAKES, Past-President Winnetka Park District RICK BEMM, Secretary Dundee Twp. Park District FRANK DUIS Sterling Park District DALE HENCH Illinois Dept. of Conservation GEORGE WHITEHEAD Carbondale Park District JOHN JOYCE Park Forest Recr. Dept. PATTI ROTH Glenview Park District TOM RICHARDSON Glencoe Park/Recr. District BARB POWELL Downers Grove Park District DEBBIE CARLSON Wheeling Park District TIM FUREY Northern Ill. Spec. Recr. Assn. GARY BAKER Canton Park District CHUCK HOSCHEIT Fox Valley Park District CHUCK BALLING Naperville Park District MICHAEL MULDOON Northern Sub. Spec. Recr. Assn. DAN SCHIMMEL Elmhurst Park District LISA FORAN Western Illinois University IPRA HEADQUARTERS 250 East Wood Palatine, IL 60067 phone (312)991-2820 KAY KASTEL FOREST Executive Director CHRISTINE ORZECH Secretary

I hope all members will take time to review the 1981 Illinois Park and Recreation conference program. Under the leadership of Patti Roth (IPRA), Elmhurst, and Sue Rizzo (IAPD) Park Ridge, the conference co-chairpersons, the event should prove to be one of the best educationally in the history of the associations. Even the exhibits should prove to surpass last year, as sales are up 50%. There are a few changes in the conference this year and you can find out about them by reading conference highlites.

Plan to attend and get your reservations in early. Pre-registration is due by October 24.

IPRA dues for 1982 are payable by November 1. By now you should have received your statement. There was no increase in the schedule this year. Since professional and associate dues are based on salary, it is hoped that as members salaries increase so also will IPRA dues revenue.

There have been a few changes in membership. We have established a new category at a lesser fee for retirees who are no longer working in the field. Even though voting members automatically receive membership in one special interest section, some have expressed interest in joining an additional section. This can now be done by paying an additional fee.

Membership Services Director Lydia Lombardo has spearheaded a committee to develop a professional tool to promote membership in IPRA. Copies will be available to all members at the conference.

In the past 10 years, I have seen IPRA prosper and grow into a viable professional organization. The Board is always looking for ways to make the association more meaningful to the membership. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to give our office a call or attend one of the Board meetings which are open to anyone.

Robin Hall, President-elect, is looking for members to serve on committees. A committee interest form will be included in the September UPDATE. The Sections are also looking for members to participate on their Boards and committees. Call the office if interested.

Our next big event is the Conference November 12-15. The IPRA Annual membership meeting will be held on Saturday November 14 at 3:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to meet the new Board and find out the upcoming events for IPRA. We hope to see all members at the Conference.

"Leisure is living in the present hour...."
Minachetti, 1973

Illinois Parks and Recreation 36 September/October 1981