Frequently, the difference between success or failure of an association is its ability to adapt to or stay ahead of change. An association which does not adapt to change ultimately begins to lose its effectiveness and, consequently, its membership. The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Board of Directors and staff continually plan and prepare to meet the future.

Coping with change in these turbulent times, as well as attending to the needs of the membership, is not an easy task. In reviewing 1983, it is my belief that the IAPD has made major strides in meeting the challenges of change, defining the long-term needs for IAPD services, and continuing to fulfill the demands made upon us from day to day.

The IAPD is a service organization. Our purpose today, as in the past, is to serve our members effectively. Our strengths are the diversity and quality of services we provide. Our goal is to continue to pursue opportunities and excellence in everything we do. I am proud to point out that this attitude permeates the Board of Directors and your IAPD staff, whose dedicated efforts helped produce the successes of 1983.

The IAPD is not only one of the largest state associations in the nation, but also the only association solely for citizens who serve on park, recreation, and conservation boards.

We are very proud to represent 2,000 citizen board members and 245 agencies. It takes hundreds of volunteers to promote parks, recreation, and conservation at the grass roots level. We are indeed indebted to all of you who have played such a vital part in the growth of IAPD. You provide the real strength. To all of you, thanks for making 1983 a successful year. It was with your assistance and support which brought about these accomplishments:

• Supporting legislation, including the initiation and passage of twelve of fourteen bills on our Legislative Platform (the staff monitored, with the computer purchased from the Voluntary Dues Check-Off program, over 200 bills which directly or indirectly would have affected us. The association also defeated negative legislation which would have diminished park districts' authority and abilities. Federal legislation also was monitored and positively affected by the efforts of the IAPD Board and staff.

• Initiation of Workers' Compensation Insurance and Dental Insurance. We plan to review an all-lines insurance program as a benefit to interested member agencies.

• Creation of a new membership category for local park, recreation, or conservation foundations. The members who joined in 1983 were:

The Decatur Parks Foundation, Dixon Park District Foundation, DuPage County Forest Preserve Foundation, and The Natural Heritage and Wildlife Foundation. Our goal is to increase the number of foundation members in 1984 so we can plan new educational programs and services responsive to the member foundations. We also want to promote the creation of new foundations at the local level in 1984.

• Legal Services — One hundred sixty legal requests were addressed by the IAPD office and Legal Counsel in 1983, and efforts to promote the latest information on legal trends culminated in a very successful legal symposium.

Your association has shown outstanding leadership in offering the public awareness "Life. Be In It." program on a statewide basis with a grant received from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. We are planning to continue this program in 1984 so you should send in your "Life. Be In It." special festivals or events in order that you will receive maximum exposure by appearing in the brochure that is distributed throughout Illinois.

Don't miss the opportunity to attend the IAPD educational meetings in 1984. The Meetings and Seminar Committee is busy planning a full schedule for you. You can plan now for these dates:

March 3 and June 9 — Parliamentary Procedures Seminars (returning by popular demand) at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.

April17 and 18 or April 24 and 25 — Legislative Conference; Specific dates will depend on the legislature's schedule. (Scheduled for the Springfield Hilton with the Legislators' reception at the Sangamo Club.)

May 5 or 12 — Eighteenth Annual Commissioner/Board Members Seminar. This 's a great seminar for commissioners to receive specialized educational programs addressing problems and assisting you in becoming a better board member. (More details will be forthcoming from the Seminar Committee in the very near future.)

August 3 — The Sixth Annual Joint Legislators/Commissioners Golf Outing.

October 10 — The Fourth Annual Legal Symposium (location to be announced).

THE FUTURE

In 1984 we will continue to coordinate the task force studying the economical significance of recreation in Illinois. We want to expand representation on our committees. Last year over sixty member agencies had representation on the Board of Directors or IAPD committees. We want to expand representation because continued suport and active participation are vital to the growth of the association and the advancement of parks, recreation, and conservation. Please

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volunteer to serve on an IAPD committee. The time is worth it, and you will enjoy meeting and working with commissioners throughout the state.

I would like to look at 1984 as a year in which we move ahead and establish new traditions through careful thought and execution. The Illinois Association of Park Districts will adapt to changes when progress can be realized; but progress will lag if representative participation is diminished.

Let's make 1984 a banner year. Drop me a note if you are interested in serving on one of the following IAPD committees: Legislative; Public Awareness; Publication; Membership; Planning and Finance; Constitution and Bylaws; Seminars and Meetings; or Honors and Resolutions.

I am looking forward to serving you as President of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. Let's resolve to work closer with each other and with our legislators to adapt and initiate changes favorable to parks, recreation, and conservation.

The more things change, the more the IAPD will adapt in order to keep a bright horizon for parks, recreation, and conservation in Illinois and the nation.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 32 January/February