The Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association are excited to bring you the Office Support Workshop, held in conjunction with the 2008 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, in a new format this year! It is designed with quality professional development breakouts delivered in a format that encourages discourse, networking and relationship building. Following lunch, attendees will spend 45 minutes in each breakout and dive into timely topics such as Building Positive Relationships with Your Co-Workers, Learn How to Manage Your Work Day Productively - Efficient Work Areas Make Sense and Tips in the Delivery of Exceptional Customer Service.

Click here for Office Support Workshop details.

Click here to register now!

For all student members of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, we invite you to attend this year’s 2008 Soaring To New Heights Conference for FREE!

That’s right, free.

We know money is tight for many students. We know that Conference is often the only time that students all get together. So attending Conference is really important for you. Save your money for books, new shoes or gas to get back to school!

All you have to do is volunteer your time for at least 5 hours at conference and you’ll be eligible to get your conference registration fees waived.

Click here if you are interested in volunteering at Conference and a representative will be in touch with you to schedule a volunteering shift.

Everyone else is also invited to volunteer at the Conference - you just won’t get your registration fees waived. But, you will be part of a world-class park and recreation experience.

Register your team of four for the IAPD/IPRA Scavenger Hunt!

Not only will you have an opportunity to circulate through the fascinating exhibits the museum has to offer, you also have the chance of winning a cash prize! You will be assigned a start time and will receive general instructions. Clues will be picked up onsite when you check in at the Scavenger Hunt registration desk at the museum. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams.

Click here to register now!

Did you know you can already start planning your 2008 Soaring To New Heights Conference experience? With so many great educational sessions, networking opportunities, social events and business meetings it’s never too early to plan ahead.

Located in the left sidebar of the Conference site - or by clicking here - you can flip through the pages of the Pre-Conference Brochure. The final Conference Brochure will be mailed to you soon with your copy of the Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine.

We’ve also provided you with a handy Conference Planner sheet that you can print off and use to schedule your time.

Make the most of your Conference experience and plan ahead.

Don’t forget that you now have less than 1 week to register for Conference at the discounted rate! Register now!

If you have not registered for the 2008 Soaring To New Heights Conference yet, do so by December 21 to save over 20%!

For park, recreation and conservation professionals and their elected officials, this is the conference to attend each year. With educational opportunities galore along with a bunch of great professional networking events lined-up - you won’t want to miss this year’s Conference.

Register now and save money! The member rate for the Full Package will increase on December 21 from $275 to $340. Act now and save yourself and your agency money. Learn more about registering.

If you have any issues or questions regarding the registration process, please contact Bill Bodine at IAPD.

Acclaimed author of “Last Child in the Woods” and seven other books, Richard Louv, will honor us as the keynote speaker at this year’s 2008 IAPD/IPRA Soaring To New Heights Conference. Louv has some amazing ideas - and fears - about our generation and generations to come.

Click on the picture below to watch a brief video about the broken bonds between American children and nature and saving them from “nature deficit disorder.”

The work being done by Louv has gained national attention and has raised some eyebrows regarding our children and their lack of outdoor play. As park, recreation and conservation professionals and advocates, listening and learning from an expert like Louv will be an amazing experience.

We encourage you all to attend the annual Conference this year - and we hope you make it a priority to attend the opening General Session on Friday, January 25 at 11am.

Register yourself and your staff TODAY!

The IPRA Facility Management Section is offering two $100 student scholarships for the 2008 IAPD/IPRA Conference in January.

Interested applicants need to submit an essay explaining “How will attending the IAPD/IPRA Soaring To New Heights Conference benefit you as a student and future professional?”  The winner’s essays will be judged by the Facility Management Section Board.

Postings should be a minimum of 100 words and no more than 200 words.  Also, include your school and year in school.  The entry deadline is Friday, January 4th.  Winners will be notified by Friday, January 11th.

Submit entries to Brian Meyer from the Bolingbrook Park District (bmeyer@bolingbrookparks.org), or call Brian with any questions at 630-783-6529.