EYE ON THE PROFESSION
A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION

The Lives We Touch

Happy day-campers, determined teens playing in the gym, older athletes competing in
the Senior Games, and kids with disabilities enjoying a Halloween Party

William J. M. Wald, CPRP
IPRA Executive Director

Do you have a defining moment or experience that has made all the hectic days, late nights, long meetings and endless problem-solving sessions worthwhile?

It's time to breathe a sigh of relief. All the hiring, training, planning, ordering and organizing in May and early June are paying off with another successful summer of fun for your community. That one particular moment of anxiety has passed where you may have said words similar to "What am I doing in this crazy field?" or "Why am I here?" To snap out of it, some of us think of that one defining moment or experience that has made all the hectic days, late nights, long meetings and endless problem-solving sessions worthwhile.

Recently, randomly selected IPRA members were asked what was the one distinctive moment or experience in their careers when an individual or group reaped the benefits of parks and recreation that reminded them it's all worthwhile.

Says Susan Dennison, public information coordinator for the Deerfield Park District: "I taught ice skating for the Glenview Park District for about 10 years before moving into public relations. I had a 10-year-old girl in one of my classes named Dayle who was an absolute delight to teach. Ironically we shared the same birthday. I became close to her family and when Dayle quit skating to pursue high school activities, we still kept in touch. Her mother sent me a note shortly after she quit skating, telling me how much my friendship and coaching meant to Dayle and thanking me for all the time I had spent with her. In reality, I should have sent her a note, thanking her for sharing her daughter with me because she truly enriched my life as well. Today Dayle is a beautiful, poised, self- assured college graduate. We keep in touch through birthday cards and get-togethers and Dayle still recalls her ice skating memories, You just meet the most amazing people in recreation."

About the "lovely little theater" she manages, Carol Lange, CPRP, cultural arts coordinator at the Palatine Park District, says: "Many of the performances we offer are for children. Some of our young theater-goers have never been to a theater before and do not speak English. To see their little faces light up as soon as they see the auditorium and their excitement at the performances is truly remarkable for me. They are so excited that they can hardly contain themselves. After the performance they want to talk to and even touch the artists. I know that some of these children are going to embrace the arts because of their experiences in Cutting Hall. I'm proud of that."

Superintendent of recreation Amy Charlesworth, CPRP, of the Rolling Meadows Park District boasts about her senior center director, Mary Simonis: "Mary is the type of person who always makes time to stop and chat. This past year Mary held a Valentine's event for senior sweethearts. Center members brought wedding pictures, boasting of how handsome or beautiful their spouse was on their special day. They shared personal stories about how they met and their courtship. Married couples attended as well as widows and widowers. They had so much fun reminiscing and laughing about days gone by. Afterwards, I ran into an elderly couple who attended the event. They were so excited to share with me the fun they had at the program. Mary Simonis did what she always sets out to do in her job: she helped some seniors make a connection. These connections are what keep the members coming back for more programs and new friendships."

Graduation day for her four-year-old preschool program is one of those distinct moments for Kelly Norms, CPRP, recreation manager at the Morton Grove Park District. Norris says: "Watching the twenty students singing their songs, reciting theirs parts and receiving their diplomas as their parents look on is a great moment for me. Many of these children began the program at age three. They were clinging to their parents, some of them crying or begging them not to leave. Now they stand before the group independently, proud of their many achievements. It gives me great satisfaction to know the park district started them on their road to recreation and education."

"Knowing you make a difference in the lives of so many people is truly what gives momentum to a career in parks and recreation," says Lonna Converse, public information director at the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association. "One aspect of working in the parks and recreation public relations arena is recognizing people in their

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THE LIVES WE TOUCH

communities through the print media. When someone's smiling face is shining off the pages of a local news article and their name is in print - wow, I feel great! Even more rewarding is when the individual personally brings the article to the office and explains in detail the 'story' revolving around their newly acquired fame! In my 10 years of parks and recreation experience this has happened countless of times and each time I have a renewed feeling of why I continue my path in parks and recreation!"

"Simply put, it is impossible to identify one moment that would really define what we do," says Liza McElroy, CPRP, IPRA president and superintendent of recreation at the Winnetka Park District. "My mind is flooded with memories, but if I had to pick one, it would be the year we introduced music at the Fourth of July fireworks show. The crowd loved it, evident by their numerous rounds of applause. The amount of preparation and the long hours pale in comparison to the enjoyment these people received. This day was one extremely long and powerful moment."

Mark Badasch, CPRP, executive director of the Collinsville Area Recreation District and the past president of IPRA, reminisces about a new water park facility which took three years to plan: "Construction had been tough with a lot of rainy days and the season opening was late. However, every time I walk out the door to the deck now and see several generations of families playing together, I am reminded of why we need to work harder to create more safe play opportunities. We bring families together.

An IPRA Field Day Activity comes to mind when Kay Forest, CAE, conference and special projects manager and past IPRA executive director is asked about one defining moment in her career. Forest says: "We had an exceptionally young tee-ball team participating on the field at White Sox Park. The kids walked on the field and looked up at the stands in amazement. They were so excited that they struggled to hit the ball off the tee. When one child finally did hit the ball, he ran the wrong way around the bases. This caught the attention of one of the White Sox players who was practicing nearby. He came over to the kids and patiently explained how to run the bases. The White Sox player told me that this experience made his day. He hadn't been playing very well and there was talk of sending him back to the minors. But, that day he felt like the best player in the world because of the awe of these kids. I'm sure the kids had an experience they will never forget.

Brenda Segal, special projects and fund-raising coordinator for the Deerfield Park District says: "A number of years ago, the Deerfield Park District offered a musical comedy class for second and third grade children. There was one little girl in the class who was so shy, she could barely answer roll call. I worked very hard trying to draw this child out and didn't seem to be having much success. At the end of the session, we held a showcase where the children performed for parents and guests. I had given this child a very small part, and wasn't sure she would even be able to get through it. The moment came, however, when she stepped forward and in a loud, clear voice, she followed all the directions she had been given throughout the session. She smiled broadly as she delivered her lines with confidence and self-assurance. I couldn't have been more proud of her if she were my own child. After the show, she brought her parents to meet me. They thanked me for helping her to grow. I told them that she had helped me to grow as well."

We are fortunate to be a part of this fun and unpredictable and sometimes exhausting field where we have the opportunity everyday and in many ways to touch peoples' lives. Enjoy every moment of your summer. 

"Mary Simonis did what she always sets out to do in her job: she helped some seniors make a connection. These connections are what keep the members coming back for more programs and new friendships."

—Amy Charlesworth, Rolling Meadows Park District

CLP = CPRP The National Certification Plan has been revised effective May 2000 to better reflect the changing face of our field. The studies and research have been completed. The decision has been made by the NRPA Board of Trustees. It's official. We are no longer CLPs, PLPs, CLAs, or RLPs. Here are the changes • Certified Leisure Professional (CLP) is now Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) • Provisional Leisure Professional (PLP) is now Provisional Park and Recreation Professional (PPRP) • Certified Leisure Associate (CLA) is; now Associate Park and Recreation Professional (APRP) • Retired Leisure Professional (RLP) is now Retired Park and Recreation Professional (RPRP) Why Change? It seems there were many individuals in our field who were dissatisfied with the term "leisure." Also, many people were under the opinion our field had changed and new tides could better depict our profession. After much research and member surveys, a consensus was established for change. : What It Means to You This change is effective immediately, however, IPRA has two to three years to comply with the change. All certified professionals renew their certifications every other year as of June 1. Some renew in odd years but the majority of certified professionals renew in even number years. This means that those professionals who are due to get new IPRCB certificates in June 2000 will receive a certificate featuring new designation titles. Those who renew next year will receive their new certificates bearing the new tides at that time. There are no other changes to the program; no new requirements or procedures.

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