Awards and Recognition
Getting recognized for the hard work you do is something that goes beyond just getting a plaque or award. Winning an individual or agency award at the Soaring to New Heights Conference is a testament to the tremendous dedication and countless hours contributed to making your community a better place to live… and play!
The Awards and Recognition Program and the Agency Showcase Competition are wonderful ways to recognize leaders in the field and outstanding projects accomplished throughout the past year. The awards are announced at the All-Conference Awards Luncheon in front of colleagues and legislators from across the state. Nominate someone today!
There are three Awards Programs:
- IAPD Awards and Recognition Program
- IPRA Awards and Recognition Program
- Agency Showcase Competition
Nomination Deadline:
- IAPD Nominations must be received no later than noon on Friday, November 4, 2011
- IPRA Nominations must be received no later than Friday, October 28, 2011
For general questions regarding the IAPD Awards and Recognition Program, please contact Bobbie Jo Hill at 217/523-4554 or email.
For general questions regarding the IPRA Awards and Recognition Program, please contact Rick Missing at 847/850-2107 or email.
For questions regarding the Agency Showcase Awards and Recognition Program, please contact Jessica Alexenko at 630/353-4309 or email.
2011 IAPD Awards
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognizes up-and-coming board members who have completed a minimum of one year, but not more than six years of service as a board member (equivalent to one elected term.) The recipient of the Rising Star Award will have demonstrated exemplary performance in duties and responsibilities as a board member. This award will be presented Friday, January 27, 2012 during the All-Conference Luncheon at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.
2010 Rising Star Winner: John Karesh, Westmont Park District
Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, long-time park commissioner Mike Cassidy once said, “Doing something good for the community, contributing something for the future.” This annual award is presented to a commissioner whose volunteer service to his or her community emulates the vision and voluntary efforts demonstrated by Mike Cassidy to improve the quality of life for those in his community. Recipients of the Commissioner Community Service Award will have demonstrated the highest example of community service, personal integrity and ingenuity. This award will be presented Friday, January 27, 2012 during the All-Conference Luncheon at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.
2010 Mike Cassidy Commissioner Service Award Winner: Ernie Shymanik, Mundelein Park and Recreation District
Commissioner of the Year
The recipient of the Commissioner of the Year award will have shown outstanding qualities to support and promote parks, recreation and conservation in his or her community, as well as throughout the state. This award will be presented Friday, January 27, 2012 during the All-Conference Luncheon at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.
2010 Commissioner of the Year Award Winner: Scott Triphahn, Hoffman Estates Park District
IAPD Honored Professional
The IAPD Honored Professional Award is presented to a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency professional who has worked closely with citizens and the Illinois Association of Park Districts to improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois. This award will be presented Friday, January 27, 2012 during the All-Conference Luncheon at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.
2010 IAPD Honored Professional Award Winner: Ron Diehl, Effingham Park District
Youth License Plate Award – Best Promotional Practices
Any park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency that has shown insightful, creative ways to promote the Park District Youth License Plate through events, programs, etc. may apply for this award. (Example: “Flying 4 Kids” kite fly.) The Youth License Plate Award will be presented at the IAPD Annual Business Meeting on January 28, 2012 at the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.
2010 Youth License Plate Award Winner: Chillicothe Park District
IAPD/IPRA Community Service Award
Community Service Awards can be awarded for recognition of ongoing support, outstanding contributions of time, money, services, volunteer work or the advancement of parks and recreation. Honorees might include a non-member employee, a group, an organization, an individual, an elected official, governing body, local business, church, or school district. These awards can be ordered through IAPD/IPRA for pick up at the Soaring to New Heights Conference. Your agency can present the award to your recipient(s) on the local level.
Board Member Development Program
The IAPD Board Member Development Program gives recognition to local board members who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty through committee involvement, attendance at continuing educational opportunities and achievements at the local, state and national levels. Participation in the Board Member Development Program can garner numerous benefits including recognition from fellow colleagues, legislators, media and the public. The program tracks accomplishments obtained during terms on your local board, useful during re-election.
Any member of IAPD may join the Board Member Development Program for an annual fee of $20. Participants accumulate “Board Development Units” (BDUs) yearly from October 1 to September 30. Units earned after September 30 will go toward the following year. All members of the program will receive a participant lapel pin. Board Member Development Program participants (Distinctive and Master Levels) will be recognized at the IAPD Annual Business Meeting on January 28, 2012 at the IAPD/IPRA Conference.
2011 IPRA Awards
Getting recognized for the hard work you do is something that goes beyond just getting a plaque or award. Winning an individual or agency award at the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference is a testament to the dedication and long hours put in to make your community a better place to live and play!
The Awards and Recognition Program is a wonderful way to recognize leaders in the field and outstanding projects accomplished over the past year. The awards are announced at the IAPD/IPRA Conference Awards Luncheon in front of colleagues and legislators from across the state.
Nominating People is Easier Than Ever! For manyindividual awards, once you check some basic criteria (i.e.: years of service) all you need to do is email or fax a name of someone who you know is deserving of this recognition. IPRA awards committee will do the rest. It cannot be any easier!
Nominate someone today!
2011 Winners
Citizen Volunteers of the Year
Marva Brown, Rockford Park District
Excellence in Environmental Leadership Awards
Jim Kenney, Fox Valley Park District
Young Professional of the Year
Mike Baiardo, Alsip Park District
Professional Recognition Award
Brian Sullivan, Morton Grove Park District
Fellow Award
Elizabeth Kessler, McHenry County Conservation District
Robert Artz Award
Bill Clevenger, Decatur Park District
No Employee Left Behind Award (NELB)
Lake County Forest Preserve
Distinguished Service to Leisure Nomination
This IPRA award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions have made a significant and consistent impact on the leisure field and/or profession.
Click here for a printable version of the Distinguished Service to Leisure Award.
Fellow Award Nomination
The IPRA Fellow Award is presented to a past or current park and recreation professional who has shown excellence in promoting the parks and recreation movement on a statewide basis.
Click here for a printable version of the Fellow Award.
Meritorious Service Nomination
Meritorious Service Awards recognize and honor members of IPRA who have rendered continuously outstanding leadership, service and professional commitment to the field of parks and recreation. All individuals nominated for the Meritorious Service Award receive recognition if criteria are met. An individual may receive the Meritorious Service Award only once.
Click here for a printable version of the Meritorious Service Award.
Professional Recognition Nomination
The IPRA Professional Recognition Award is presented to a current parks and recreation professional who has shown excellence in promoting parks and recreation on local and regional levels within the state of Illinois. Nominations will be valid for two years and therefore considered again next year.
Click here for a printable version of the Professional Recognition Award.
Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award
The Artz Award was initiated by IPRA because of Bob Artz’s legacy of service to the park and recreation profession and his commitment to the citizen and advisory boards that are so important to this field. The recipient’s efforts must have had lasting value and must have created an awareness of the importance of parks and recreation among his/her colleagues and the community in which the person works. The Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award is given at the discretion of the IPRA Board of Directors.
Click here for a printable version of the Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award.
Young Professional Nomination
The IPRA Young Professional Award is presented to a current parks and recreatin professional who has shown excellence in promoting parks and recreation on local and regional levels within the state of Illinois. Nominations will be valid for two years and therefore considered again next year.
Click here for a printable version of the Young Professional Award.
Outstanding Conservation Program Award
The IPRA Outstanding Conservation Program Award is designed to recognizxe Conservation Districts, Forest Preserves, and Park Districts that have done an outstanding job in the management or restoration of an open space or other natural area.
Click here for the Outstanding Conservation Program Award application.
Outstanding Facility and Park
The purpose of the Outstanding Facility and Park Award is to honor public agencies for outstanding and unique achievements in the design and development of park or recreation facilities.
Click here for the Outstanding Facility and Park Award application.
Outstanding Program or Special Event Award
The IPRA Innovative Recreation Program/Special Event recognizes the successful efforts of an agency that has provided its community with a unique and outstanding recreation program or one-time special event.
Click here for the Outstanding Program or Special Event Award application.
Citizen Volunteer of the Year
The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and contributions to their community.
Click here to nominate someone for Citizen Volunteer of the Year.
Community Service Award
Community Service Awards recognize outstanding contributions and unselfish devotion for the advancement of parks, recreation and leisure in the community and the state of Illinois.
Click here to nominate someone for the Community Service Award.
No Employee Left Behind Agency Award
No Employee Left Behind Agency Award recognizes agencies that provide opportunities for healthy lifestyles for their employees.
Click here to nominate an agency for No Employee Left Behind.
Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award
Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has achieved outstanding individual or agency achievements for environmental advancements.
Click here to nomiante an agency for Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award.
Table Reservation System for the All-Conference Awards Luncheon
(Now includes Legislator Tables!)
Delegates who opt to reserve a table for the Friday All-Conference Awards Luncheon, including reserved legislator tables, must indicate so on the registration form or when registering online. The table reservation fee is $55, nonrefundable and paid for when registering for conference. Legislator tables are now reserved through this reservation process as well. The person who is designated the table contact/coordinator will receive an email with full detailed instructions on the table registration process. The table contact/coordinator will be responsible for notifying those seated at their reserved table(s) of the table assignment(s). Once online conference registration closes on January 20, 2012, no more table reservations will be accepted. There will be no onsite table reservations taken. Register early to ensure the best possible table selection. All reserved tables will be tables of 12. You must have a full table.
