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COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION
Initiated five years ago, Northbrook Park District's orientation sessions give newly by Lorraine Borman Wax "Now that I've been elected, how do I act like a Commissioner?" Many of us have asked that question and have been left to our own devices to find the answer. In the Northbrook Park District with its 322 acres of parks, variety of facilities, and $5.9 million budget, even the best informed candidate can become a bewildered commissioner faster than he can say "aye" or "nay." To help new Board members understand their responsibilities, the District held its first new Commissioner Orientation in 1979. Building on its initial success, the program has improved after each succeeding election. It is designed to supplement, rather than replace, the IAPD Commissioner Educational Training Seminar held in May of every year for new commissioners. Murray Freeman, one of Northbrook's newly elected Commissioners, said he was very grateful for the orientation session. "I found the section on Budgeting most informative. I really needed an explanation of all the Park District funds — and I'm an accountant!" Over the years the subject matter of the orientation has changed. The agenda for the first session listed items that experienced commissioners and staff members considered important. It was altered in 1981 and by 1983 the candidates were invited to suggest subjects they thought would be useful. This past year the three non-incumbent candidates were well versed in Park District concerns, but each thought an agenda put together by experienced people would be most helpful to them.
Keeping this in mind, early in March the President of the Board and the Park District Manager began preparing for the orientation by discussing its format and selecting a date. Saturday morning, as soon as possible after the election, has proven to be the most convenient time for everyone. To avoid scheduling conflicts all candidates were advised of the date as soon as it was chosen. Building on the most effective parts of previous orientations, the Manager prepared an agenda which was discussed and finalized with the President. Staff members were made aware of their specific responsibilities in the program. After the election, the winning candidates were reminded of the orientation and were sent comprehensive packets of materials to help acquaint them with their general responsibilities as commissioners. They also received specific information about the Northbrook Park District. In addition to the Illinois Park Code and selected articles from IAPD publications, the packet contained a bibliography of other relevant readings in the District's library. Sections of the Northbrook Park District Policy Manual, biographical sketches of top level staff, the current Park District brochure and the agenda for the orientation session were also in the packet. The orientation began at 8:30 with coffee, rolls, and socializing to set the tone of informality that characterized the session. Following opening remarks by the President, the first section of the orientation dealt with Park Districts as units of government. The District's attorney covered statutory powers, duties and responsibilities of commissioners, and other important items such as the Illinois Open Meetings Act and Statements of Economic Interest. Because most of the District's legal business is communicated through the Manager, rather than Commissioners, this was an excellent opportunity for new Commissioners to get to know the attorney. Following his remarks, the President highlighted sections of the policy manual that addressed the philosophy and objectives of the Northbrook Park District. An important topic was the contribution the District makes to the quality of life in Northbrook. Because the District frequently cooperates with other local governments, including the Village, Library, Township and five local school districts, we felt it was important to discuss methods of communicating with elected officials and staff of these governments. Following this section, the Manager addressed methods of communications between Commissioners and staff of the Park District to insure smooth operations. His presentation ranged from broad philosophical principles to the practical concerns of getting information and what to do about complaints. Section three pertained to responsibilities of the staff — how the work of the Park District is accomplished. In reviewing the organizational chart, the Manager explained how the 54 full-time and hundreds of part-time posi- Illnois Parks and Recreation 18 March/April 1984 tions fit into the chain of command. The three division superintendents — Leisure Services; Golf and Property; and Administration and Finance — each gave twenty minute summaries of the responsibilities and work of their divisions. The fourth and final round table section of the orientation, conducted by the President, contained a potpourri of matters a Commissioner of the Northbrook Park District should know. The topics were as diverse as the committee structure of the Board, how Board goals are established, the Park District Advisory Commission, what to do if there is a problem with staff or other commissioners, and how to get typing done. A tour of some parks and facilities conducted by the Manager was the last activity of the morning. That tour was extremely valuable, according to the new Commission members. "Even though Len (new commissioner Dr. Leonard Elkun) and I have each lived in Northbrook for many years, there were still some smaller parks which were just names to us. It would have been difficult discussing a park site without even knowing where it was," newly elected Commissioner Murray Freeman observed.
"The exhilaration of learning is one of the important personal satisfactions of being a park commissioner." During the entire session, which lasted about three and one-half hours, there were opportunities for questions and comments. The method of covering everything a commissioner needs to know has yet to be invented, but with a tailor-made orientation, Northbrook Commissioners have additional tools for a more productive start in their roles. The orientation is only a beginning. The continuing education of new commissioners is the responsibility of the Park District staff, experienced Commissioners and the new Commissioners themselves. In Northbrook education is an on-going process that occurs through encouraging Commissioners to take advantage of IAPD Seminars and by including informative staff presentations on regular board meeting agendas. The exhilaration of learning is one of the important personal satisfactions of being a park commissioner. You become a better citizen and you learn how to better serve your community.
Illnois Parks and Recreation 19 March/April 1984 |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lorraine Borman Wax received a B.S. in Recreation from the University of Illinois. She has worked professionally in community and therapeutic recreation and taught at the post high school level. Elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Northbrook Park District in 1977, she is serving her third term as its president.