ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS ROBERT L. COLE, President Commissioner, Decatur PETER J. KOUKOS, President-Elect Commissioner, Highland Park DON G. PRINDLE, Vice President Board Member, DuPage County Forest Preserve WALDON O. DEGNER, Vice President Commissioner, Palatine MORGAN C. POWELL, Vice President Commissioner, Champaign HAROLD C. HAWKINS, Treasurer Trustee, Springfield MARILYN MALLES, Sergeant-at-Arms Commissioner; Wilmette BARBARA STRAUS WILLIAMS Immediate Past President Commissioner, Olympia Fields JOHN S. GENSLER Commissioner, Naperville PATRICK T. GREALISH Commissioner, Salt Creek ROBERT S. NICHOLS Commissioner, Bensenville BONNIE W. NOBLE Trustee, Peoria ROBERT J. PROCTER Commissioner, Northbrook SCOTT RANDOLPH Commissioner, E. St. Louis SUSAN RIZZO Commissioner, Park Ridge KENNETH P. SALUS Commissioner, Carbondale NORMAN P. SMALLEY Commissioner, Elmhurst NAOMI WALTERS Commissioner, Streamwood GEORGE WEIGLE Commissioner, Dixon IAPD HEADQUARTERS Suite 101,217 East Monroe St.,Springfield, IL 62701 phone (217) 523-4554 DR- THEODORE B. FLICKINGER Executive Director HARRIS W. FAWELL General Counsel BILL BODINE Business Manager PETER M. MURPHY Director for Governmental Services LOUISE HERNDON Administrative Secretary

With a sense of hard-earned accomplishments in the past and urgent concern for the future, the IAPD officially closes out its 53rd year of serving its member districts and agencies. Never before have our challenges been greater nor our opportunities more worthy. The challenges posed by a tightening economy have created greater innovations, skills and risks. The challenges to meet the National Taxpayers United of Illinois head-on have been successful because we represent highly credible and accountable park and recreation agencies. It is these two words, "accountability and credibility", along with the word "progress" which best characterize the work of the IAPD this year and the attitude with which we approach the future.

Listed below are the highlights of IAPD's achievements for this year. Unfortunately space does not permit a detailed description of the many functions that your Association accomplished in 1981. I would like to take this opportunity to confirm the Association's unwavering commitment to advance the park and recreation movement in Illinois and across the nation. We will do our best to function at a high level of economy and efficiency. Let me also take this occasion on behalf of President Robert L. Cole and the Board of Directors to thank you for your support and pledge that our future efforts will continue to justify your faith in our work.

• Introduced in both the House and the Senate 7 bills - the following bills were passed and signed by Governor James Thompson in September and will become effective in January

- S.B. 565 (working cash fund, issue for any 4 years); H.B. 961 (museum tax increase); H.B. 1036 (recreation tax increase); H.B. 1175 (bid limit increase from $2500 to $4000); H.B. 1377 (appropriation ordinance Section 4-5 eliminated).

• Legislator of the year awards presented to Representatives Terry A. Steczo and Bruce A. Farley. Other legislators will be recognized during the Annual Conference.

• All-time record established for the most members in the history of the IAPD - 231 park, forest preserve, conservation districts and park and/or recreation departments.

• Relocated IAPD headquarters to brand new offices within 100 yards of the Capitol.

• Position statement submitted to Governor James R. Thompson to propose future funding of park and recreation capital development and acquisition projects.

• Leaders of the IAPD/IPRA and the Joint Legislative Committee met with Governor Thompson and his staff on current legislation and issues of concern to parks and recreation in Illinois (August).

• Developed working relationships with government departments and allied associations (Department of Conservation, Department of Commerce & Community Affairs, Department of Revenue, State Board of Elections, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Municipal League, Illinois Chiefs of Police, Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission).

• Obtained Governor's Proclama-

Illinois Parks and Recreation 31 November/December 1981

tion "June is Parks & Recreation Month."

• Conducted educational meeting for membership including: Third Annual Legislative Conference & Reception, 15th Annual May Commissioners Education/Training Seminar, Fourth Annual Legislative Awareness Day Golf Outing & Banquet, State Fair Local Officials Day, 5 Regional Legislative Meetings (new). Communications Workshop (new), Second Annual Legal Symposium and Fund Raising Seminar (new).

• Developed new membership directory.

• New awards program and brochure compiled.

• New membership portfolio developed.

• Conducted state-wide legislative research survey.

• Published new manuals and books: "So You Want To Be A Park & Recreation Board Member... What Does That Mean?", "What Is An Effective Park & Recreation Board Member", "Guidelines For Park & Recreation Boards", "Lobbying for Parks & Recreation", "Excellence in Park & Recreation Systems", "Park & Recreation Concepts", "Park District Taxes . . . A Review and Analysis 1975-1980".

• Distributed Summary of the White Paper Report to all members - compiled reports making up summary of White Paper.

• Revised and printed on monthly basis the Association newsletter "Communicator".

• Developed ordering system for educational tape cassettes.

• Developed new Associate membership fee and brochure.

• Public Awareness Projects: sponsored statewide IAPD volleyball tournament - LincolnFest and assisted IPRA in the "Please For Trees" Arbor Day program.

• Completed Management-By-Objectives programs - 9 Functions, 53 Goals and 127 Objectives.

• Initiated Assocation's student internship program.

• Distributed plants to all secretaries working for the Illinois House and Senate legislators. (Plants made available from Oak Park Parks & Recreation Department)

• Developed candidate questionnaire to be used in local district state legislator elections.

• Executive Director and Director of Governmental Services traveled over 12,000 miles for speaking engagements, committee meetings, meetings with legislators, meetings with government officials and various IAPD/IPRA groups.

• Developed IAPD Board of Directors Orientation & Operational Manual.

• Worked for national legislation.

• Monitored on a daily basis all legislation affecting park, forest preserve and conservation districts.

• Developed slide-tape show on IAPD.

We hope you join the Board of Directors and staff of IAPD in welcoming our new members for 1981:

Antioch Parks & Recreation Department New
Byron Park District New
Carrier Mills Park District New
Channahon Park District 1976
Charleston Recreation Dept. New
Danville Parks & Recreation Department New
Fairfield Park District 1978
Golfview Hills Park District 1978
Lake County Forest Preserve District New
Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation Department New
Mason City Park District 1974
Mount Prospect Park District 1974
Orland Park Parks & Recreation Department New

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Oswegoland Park District New
Park Forest Recreation Department New
Romeoville Parks & Recreation Department New
Schaumberg Park District 1973
South Barrington Park District New

This article was written on September 19th for the November/December issue of Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine. The IAPD fiscal year corresponds with the calendar year. A more detailed report will be presented at the December IAPD Board of Directors meeting.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 33 November/December 1981