NOTE: Schedule subject to change
All workshops award 0.2 CEUs and sessions award 0.1 CEUs. Sessions that award 1.0 CLE credits are as noted accordingly in the session listing.
- Thursday 28 Jan 2021
- Friday 29 Jan 2021
- Saturday 30 Jan 2021
Thursday 28 Jan 2021
11:30 am
14 – Rewriting the Book on System Planning
Nicholas Kuhn, Park Planner, Kimley-Horn
Recognizing the new direction that public agencies are moving in related to accountability, socially responsible engagement, access and innovation, this session will show how to rewrite your “System Plan” approach by focusing on emerging techniques and tools in public engagement and new approaches to level of service. Focusing on a new paradigm of an “experienced-based system,” this session will outline how to develop a vision for your community that represents true needs and priorities and elevates the performance of your parks.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify how to effectively engage residents in the planning process through evaluation of emerging techniques and tools meeting the needs of social distant requirements and equity.
- Understand innovations in Level of Services standards from nationwide experience.
118 – Time’s Up – Managing a Harassment-Free Workplace
Elizabeth Wagman, Attorney, Tressler LLP; Kathleen Gibbons, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will focus on preventing, responding to, and defending against harassment claims in the post #MeToo Era. Using real-world case studies, this interactive presentation is heavy on audience participation and will address the current landscape as it applies to managing employment related claims in an environment that is growing increasingly hostile for public employers.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the evolving landscape of sexual harassment, including expanding statutory definitions.
- Develop strategies to identify risks, minimize exposure, and properly respond to claims.
138 – Designing Inclusive Play & Fitness Spaces for Communities, Health and Well-Being
Dr. Suzanne Quinn, KOMPAN Playgrounds & Fitness
In this session we will discuss trends in active outdoor play & adult fitness installations. We will share research that informs successful design of equipment and park layouts, case studies of successful play and fitness spaces that use Universal Design Principles for persons of all abilities.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify trends in outdoor play and fitness.
- Apply universal design criteria for outdoor play and fitness to plans for playgrounds and fitness sites.
207 – Starting a Sustainability Team: Considerations, Goals, and Mistakes to Avoid
Bob Johnson, Director of Parks and Planning, Oak Brook Park District; Haley O'Brien, Marketing & Communications Manager, Oak Brook Park District
Has your agency considered adding a "Sustainability Team" to your staff? The topic of sustainability impacts all aspects of our industry and should matter to each department and leader. We will discuss these impacts along with what to consider when putting together a sustainability team, what projects and/or initiatives to take on, and some easily avoidable mistakes along the way to success.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Develop a dynamic sustainability team with the 'right' team members.
- Have a short list of projects and initiatives that could be beneficial for the team to undertake.
303 – Protecting Your Organization from 2021 Cybersecurity Threats and the Next Generation of Ransomware
Josh Sanders, Senior Manager, Sales, Sikich LLP
This session will cover how ransomware is evolving and why organizations must take immediate steps to protect themselves from this threat. Implementing effective cybersecurity is not necessarily easy, but if you follow a roadmap, you can more effectively protect your organization and cover a majority of the threat landscape using documented approaches to cybersecurity. There are many frameworks out there, and each has their uses, but there are common themes between them that every organization should work to adopt and make part of their security efforts.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Describe ransomware and its impact on organizations, including how it is evolving.
- Name at least five things that your organization can begin working on tomorrow to improve cybersecurity.
403 - Recreation in a New Way
Mary Lester, IPRA Senior Committee Co-Chair; Cheryl Riley, Superintendent of Recreation, City Of Collinsville
In this session IPRA’s Recreation Section Special Event and Senior Committees have compiled new or adjusted programs that were developed by recreation professionals from across the state. Participants will explore best practices, gain tips, and view specific examples from multiple agencies to assist them in bringing “Recreation in a New Way” to their communities. The presentation will include contact information for each program presented.
The presenting committees are dedicated to networking, sharing ideas and assisting professionals in the ever changing field of recreation. To join these groups please contact IPRA.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Take specific ideas and plans for virtual and modified programming back to their agency.
- Gain knowledge and resources on how to modify existing programs to bring them to participants’ homes or the community.
410 – Safety First, Then Fun! Setting Afterschool Staff Up For Success
Taylor Witter, Recreation Supervisor, Northbrook Park District
Parents trust us to care for their most prized possessions: their children! Running a safe and successful afterschool program starts with the Supervisor. Once staff supervise safely, they will then be able to implement activity facilitation by engaging their youth. Learn how to improve your staff trainings, program planning, activity facilitation, and building relationships with your parents and school districts by improving your manuals, and in-person site visits.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Set clear safety expectations for afterschool staff.
- Ensure children are engaged in activities while remaining safe.
508 – Creating Balance: Discovering New Ways to Improve Balance and Enhance Whole-Body Health Through Aligned Movement
Kristie Walker, Creator and Founder, Just Breathing, LLC
Finding balance in all areas is an essential part of life - and that includes keeping physical balance. Unlike typical fall prevention programs that focus on balance exercises and removing rugs or fall hazards from the home, this session focuses on corrective exercises and aligned movement for whole-body health that simultaneously improves balance and stability. Session participants will: • discover how to adjust body alignment for improvement in balance, coordination, proprioception, and neurological health • stretch and strengthen the feet to wake up the function of the muscles and nerves necessary for balance and stability • understand the three main systems involved with balance and the importance of movement to maintain proper function of these systems • realize the importance of shoe selection in reducing chances of tripping and/or falling.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the necessity and benefits of first focusing on the muscles and sensory nerves of the feet to develop better balance, as well as how to assess and improve foot strength and nerve health.
- Identify and perform body alignment points for balance and overall whole-body health (enhanced neurological, lymphatic and blood flow with the least amount of joint and tissue degeneration).
604 – Strengthening Your Aquatic Family & Setting the Tone
Kayla Fauria, Aquatic & Rink Manager, Park District of Oak Park
Memorial Day through Labor day (or year round for some), our minds and pulses are racing, we know this summer will take another five years off our life. We find ourselves asking, “How on earth did I get into aquatics again?” Do you have that feeling of having to be at your facility 24/7 to ensure everything goes well? With Gen Z encroaching, do you feel they frankly just don’t care like you did when you were a lifeguard? In this session, you will learn how to set the tone on your pool deck in order to be able to spend time with family or just GO HOME. We will share with you how we structured our Aquatic Family to make room for individual growth and opportunity, and create an inclusive family environment. Tools from this session will be able to be carried out throughout your programs and facilities.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Create a family tree that grows from full time staff, to their newest guard. This tree will include and celebrate each family member’s individual achievement, as well as ensure they are a positive representative of the “family name.”
- Set the tone and create understanding for their lifeguards and help the guards understand the gravity of their jobs.
- Learn that some family members frankly cannot live up to the “family name,” and the chair may not be the best place for them.
907 – How to Measure the ROI of Your Marketing Strategies
Peter Ross, Co-Founder, 829 Studios LLC
There are a myriad of different ways to market your business and all of them require time and money. In this session, we will review data from dozens of mid-sized travel companies to determine where exactly you should be aligning your resources. Using these successful organizations as our guide, we’ll analyze their approach to marketing online and identify a few of the most effective marketing strategies. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll have this discussion within the context of a marketing plan so you’ll be able to take home a comprehensive framework for use with your business.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Walk away with a framework you can use to evaluate traditional and digital marketing.
- Identify metrics to track and analyze the success of your business’ performance.
1007 – A Call to Action: Addressing Historical and Ending Contemporary Racial Inequities Through Healing Cafes
Dr. Linda Henderson-Smith, President, ATC Consulting, LLC
As the country grapples with the overwhelming aspects of an international pandemic, people across our nation have taken to the streets and boardrooms to demand change around systemic racism and its devastating effects. In addition, the media is saturated with stories about racism, however for African Americans, Indigenous people and other people of color, these stories, in the form of news or social media posts are more than just stories--they are examples of their lived experiences enduring trauma, racism and oppression. These historical and ongoing traumas have led to and continue to lead to physical and behavioral health disparities. Please join me as we explore the historical and contemporary racial inequities faced by African Americans, Indigenous people and other people of color, and the impacts these inequities have on the individuals we serve, on staff, and the community. We will also discuss strategies for how to address these impacts to build a just future that promotes healing and resilience.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Define historical trauma and systemic racism/oppression/trauma.
- Describe the impacts to individuals and communities.
- Explain the healing café model of having hard discussions to promote healing and resilience.
1:00 pm
15 – Connecting the Dots for Health
Jo Burns, Chief Connection and Collaboration Officer, Jo Burns Consulting LLC
Parks and recreation is an essential dot in the big picture of health for communities, individuals and families. What are Parks & Recreation professionals doing to make sure we are an integral “dot” in the picture both in times of crisis and calm? What is national research showing? What makes us a great fit to be part of the overall picture of health for our citizens, our communities and our state? Who are the other “dots” filling out the picture of health? The picture of health looks different for all of us. Together we can complete the picture of health by connecting all the dots! Join us for a candid discussion to try and answer these compelling and complex questions.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Articulate their own definition of health for their community, organization or self.
- Identify at least 3 “dots” essential for connecting for health in our communities.
19- Make It Stick! Activities to Make All of Your Trainings More Fun and Impactful
Jed and Roz Buck, Principals, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting
Do you want to engage your staff and volunteers in training sessions? Do you want the material to stick long after the training ends? Experiential learning helps make any training, whether in-person or online, more fun and impactful for both new and veteran employees and volunteers. This session will provide a variety of training activities that can be used as openers, energizers, reinforcers, and powerful learning tools for all types of learners. We encourage you to participate and experience the activities in the same way your staff and volunteers will during your training sessions. Please be prepared with 4 sheets of blank white 8½ x 11 paper, a pen or pencil, and sticky note or small paper square. All of the exercises can be easily replicated in your department/agency to maximize the impact of all of your in-person or online training sessions.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn first-hand the advantages of using interactive exercises to increase training effectiveness.
- Understand where in training sessions they can insert activities to make training more effective.
- Learn and experience a variety of activities that can be used to make all of their training more fun and therefore effective.
125 – Complying with the Illinois Open Meetings Act
Andrew Keyt, Attorney, Heyl Royster
This presentation will discuss the basic requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act: when is there a meeting; the pitfalls of the use of electronic communication; when is there a quorum; what should be on the agenda; what can or should be discussed in closed session; and the mechanics of closed session. Takeaways include a greater awareness of the pitfalls of the use of electronic communication and understanding when and how to use closed session.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify the pitfalls of open meetings.
- Understand how to comply with closed session requirements.
140 – Understanding Your IMRF Benefits
Kevin Davis, Field Representative, IMRF; Randy Stevens, Field Representative, IMRF
Did you know that IMRF is more than your pension plan? Your presenters will take you on a tour of IMRF benefits.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the different benefits available to IMRF members.
- Learn about the Voluntary Additional Contributions (VAC) Program.
206 – Spray Play for All: Designing Inclusive Splash Pads
Bill Hachmeister, Consultant, Aquatix by Landscape Structures
The most successful parks and playgrounds are those that provide users of all abilities a sense of safety, security and inclusion. Communities across the country are adding spray and splash parks as one of the most highly requested and utilized recreation amenities. How can these be universally designed to be inclusive for people of all ages and abilities to participate equally? This session will examine the best practice recommendations for creating spray parks that are fun and functional for all people. Truly inclusive spray play for people with and without disabilities, children, parents and grandparents alike.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify the best practice recommendations for designing inclusive spray parks.
- Discuss the safety, accessibility and mechanical considerations that factor into a successful spray play environment.
308 – Time to Rethink Your Collateralization Strategy: Moving Beyond Bank Securities
Aimee Briles, Senior Vice President, Government Funds, Wintrust Financial Corporation; Sue Kling, Managing Director, Illinois, IntraFi Network LLC
This session will provide an overview of today’s market place and its effect on investment rates and your ability to place deposits. We will discuss the options available to secure public funds and how insurance vs. collateral can affect both your rate of return on deposits and your bank’s ability to support your community. This session will also cover best practices for reviewing your investment policies, as well as maximizing your banking relationships.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the different options available to secure public deposits and the pro/cons of each.
- Identify the impact that pledged securities as collateral have on their rate of return, a bank's balance sheet and their shared communities.
- Analyze and update an existing investment policy to reflect a modern and strategic approach.
405 – Top Ten Apps for the Recreation Professional
Mark Dolphin, Athletic Manager, Wheaton Park District
Are you looking to help maximize your time but are limited on time, resources or funds? In today’s world, we are asked to be working on multiple projects, while also being pulled in two different directions at the same time. Time management is always something we can be improving on. Come join me on this journey learning about these ten apps which will help you become your own CEO of time management.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn what app's can replace older processes to become a time management expert.
- Discover new ways to communicate with staff in a move efficient manner.
409 – Grow Volunteer Staff Harmony: Plant New Seeds
Lynnette Hoole, Volunteer Coordinator, Naperville Park District; Renee Gauchat, Volunteer Services Supervisor, FPDWC; Emily Kenny, Volunteer Coordinator, Forest Preserve District of Will County
Volunteer managers will walk away with adrenalin to motivate staff and lead volunteers to strengthen interpersonal relationships. Concepts from appreciation, hindrance, negative feelings, bridging territories, developing a volunteer management team will be reviewed and assessed.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Walk away with the ability to develop and manage a volunteer management team that will move their agency forward.
- Gain tools to construct paid and non paid job descriptions for Volunteer Team members will be at their fingertips.
507 – Understanding the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Karla Belzer, Extension Educator, Family Life, University of Illinois Extension
Recent research has revealed that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can cause a lifetime of health consequences; from not being able to sleep soundly as an adult, to difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, and physical health problems. Discover how ACES impacts you, your family, your community, and your TR practice. In this session, you will build an understanding of the impact of ACEs across the lifespan while developing useful strategies to implement in your TR practice.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Define Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the relationship between ACES and toxic stress, and the impact toxic stress has on brain development and health.
- Identify the role protective factors and resilience play in reducing stress and trauma while developing a plan to implement in TR practice and interventions.
603 – "One Room Wonders": Staying Competitive as Small and Special-Use Facilities
Dan Reamer, Physical Instructor, Chicago Park District; Jennifer Cronin, Park Supervisor of Recreation, Chicago Park District; Heather Smith-Umrani, Playground Supervisor, Chicago Park District
This session will focus on small and special-use facilities and how they can be innovative and strategic to compete with larger, state-of-the-art facilities. Background will be given on presenters’ experience working in small and special-use facilities and what types of programming can be held in these facilities. Strategies of creatively using small facilities will also be shared. Small activities and discussions will be conducted in the live chat box. A debrief and Q & A will help facilitate peer learning and as a way to discover different strategies among a diverse group of recreation professionals.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Implement successful programming for small and special-use facilities.
- Discover niches in small and special-use and exploit them to compete with large and multi-purpose facilities.
905 – Reflecting Your Diverse Community: Equity in Marketing
Rachel Voss, Marketing Coordinator, Champaign Park District
Even though everyone on this planet has felt excluded in one way or another, we are still telling others they can't come play with us. This session will identify common stereotypes in society, learn how bias can be harmful to the growth of a community, passive and active exclusion in marketing materials and programs, ways to have well-balanced representation based programs and concepts, and learn why diversity isn't the final step to inclusion.
3:45 pm
16 – The Esports Experience: Determining the Best Esports Programs to Strengthen Communities, Plus Real-World Examples of In-Person and Virtual Esports Programs
Scott Novis, Founder, Bravous Esports; Kendra Beaver, Recreation Coordinator, Excelsior Springs Parks and Recreation
Esports, or competitive video gaming, not only has grown to be an impressive billion-dollar industry, but is now also known as the "new social network" attracting multi-generational players and spectators alike. For parks and recreational professionals, this means Esports can have tremendous impacts on equity and health and wellness within communities. The opportunities to bring esports experiences to the population at-large are endless. From recreational esports programs, to STEM learning and instructional classes, understanding all the possibilities to bring inclusive and innovative esports experiences to communities will be the focus at this interactive lecture. We will provide field-tested and proven concepts from real-life case studies of esports experiences we've activated over the past year. In addition, we will share best practices and guidelines to determine the best approach to launching the best esports program for your community.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Assess your own readiness and current capabilities to launch esports programs in their community.
- Design effective Esports programming that optimizes social inclusion and maximizes innovative learning for all.
108 – Girl Power III: Communicate, Lead & Advance
Carrie A. Fullerton, Executive Director, Arlington Heights Park District; Maryfran Leno, Executive Director, Itasca Park District; Rita Fletcher, Executive Director, Bartlett Park District
Join us for the 3rd edition of this popular "Girl Power" session! This year, our seasoned panel of industry executives will focus on powerful communication skills that will help you to stand out in a crowd. Additionally, we'll cover crisis leadership tactics that we wish we learned before a pandemic hit, as well as some strategic ideas on ways to advance your career. Don't miss this opportunity to "power up!"
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Utilize several new communication strategies that will help them advance their career.
- Gain information on strategies to best lead during a crisis.
112 – Protests and Park Districts: Preserving Civil Rights, Protecting Property, and Avoiding Liability
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
This program provides your agency with specific information on how to lawfully manage public demonstrations in your parks. We will discuss (i) how to identify and establish free speech areas in your parks, (ii) drafting a comprehensive permitting policy, (iii) dos and don’ts when vetting a permit application, (iv) pre-event planning and preparation, (v) public relations considerations before, during, and after the event, and (vi) indemnity and insurance considerations.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Respond to planned and spontaneous demonstrations in an organized, effective and lawful manner.
- Create and/or update their agency's parade/demonstration policy that strikes the correct balance between free speech and the interests of your community.
116 – Budget Rehab: How Do You Recover from Coronavirus?
Adam Simon, Partner, Ancel Glink, P.C.; Sue Stanish, Director of Finance, Naperville Park District
Did your budget explode this year because of COVID-19? Are some funds over budget and others hopelessly below? This session will review budget basics, describe how to build your budget to account for unexpected circumstances, and explain how to amend your budget when necessary.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the substantive and procedural requirements for adopting a budget and appropriation ordinance.
- Strategically build and amend your budget to respond to the changing conditions caused by COVID-19.
203 – Listen, Learn, and Adapt: The Playground of the Future
Michael Klitzing, Director of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation; Gregg Calpino, Principal, Landscape Architect, SmithGroup; Nicole Maskooki, Landscape Architect, Smithgroup
With the advent of COVID-19, we’ve observed closed playgrounds in cities and towns across the country. How have the events of 2020 challenged and changed the concept of play? Where do we go from here? How do our playgrounds adapt and provide safe yet fun strategies for play in the future? Join us to learn how a wholistic design approach, driven by equitable community engagement and the play needs of children can lead to innovative solutions contributing to the positive health & wellness needs of a community. This interactive session will provide the opportunity to brainstorm new ways for alternative play concepts to be introduced and implemented in your community.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn how to engage multi-generational community members about the future of play when designing a new playground or adapting a current setting.
- Gain ideas for adaptation of current playgrounds and design the next generation of play for social distancing and health and safety.
305 – Dear Millennial, Overcoming Generation Stereotypes in the Workplace
Kristina Nemetz, Superintendent of Marketing & Special Events, Wheaton Park District
A new generation has arrived in the workplace (Generation Z), another generation seems to be getting a bad rap (Millennial), and a new micro-generation has been discovered (Xennial). This session is aimed at those born after 1980 and Baby Boomers/ Gen X’s that find themselves with employees they just don’t understand. Whether you are fighting against the stereotypes of your own generation or trying to stop using the “millennial” label in the workplace this session is a good step to increase collaboration. Understand yourself and other generations as we discuss how to overcome the struggles of labeling. Come with an open mind, there are some hard lessons to learn and new ways to think about your team.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Arm yourself with the newest generation information and better understand yourself and your co-workers. The more you know the better chance you have in breaking down labels and creating a collaborative workplace.
- Learn how to balance your workforce (from top-down or bottom-up), draw on strengths and weaknesses of employees, and create an environment that welcomes and fosters the next generation.
416 – Re-Inventing Recreation Spaces and Programming in a Post-COVID World
Andy Howard, Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Joseph Brusseau, Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Benjamin Rea, Director of Parks and Planning, Arlington Heights Park District; Jeannette Huber, Director of Parks and Recreation, Alsip Park District
Recreation activity patterns and trends are changing and evolving due to COVID‐19. Recreation providers are adapting and exploring new ways to re‐purpose existing parks and design new parks and linear open spaces that address safety concerns, increased demands, and changing use patterns.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Discuss and learn strategies on how to re‐imagine park spaces and programming including topics such as outdoor fitness, athletics, passive recreation, and multi‐generational play.
- Understand innovative design solutions and effective ways to promote and provide social distancing activities in their parks (in accordance with new standards after COVID-19.
505 – Successful Veteran Programming: What It Takes to Plan, Market and Implement Programs to This Unique Culture
Donna Allen-Sebok, Founder & CEO, AllenForce
Working with the veteran population requires specific knowledge to create successful programming. Where do you gain this knowledge? Why is is necessary? What are the ins and outs for marketing to this population? What will build you agency as a trusted source for veterans to participate in programming and events? We will cover the uniqueness of veteran culture, why TR and Rec programs can make such a great positive impact on this population and the exceptions you must be ready to make for their unique cultural needs.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- State five reasons why the veteran culture is unique compared to other groups of participants.
- Identify various resources where to gain specific veteran culture training.
- Implement three points needed to create a successful program for veterans.
- Identify three components needed to build a trusting relationship with veteran population.
607 – Professionally Selling, Marketing and Member Retention in This New World 2021
Mark Davis, CEO, CMS International
In this session you will see how sales and marketing have changed during the last 12 months. What works,and what doesn't work. You will learn how to create a plan that will work for your facilities. Since retention is the key to long term success you will learn how to use sales and marketing to help you retain your members. Learn who to hire, when to market and walk away with a plan that works for you.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn how, when and who to hire. How a screening process can predict outcomes. How do you pay sales staff to keep them motivated.
- Walk away with an annual retention and marketing campaign that will separate you from the rest of your market.
903 – App-a-licious
Gabriel Castillo, President/CEO, RecStar Consulting
Is your district looking to develop a smartphone App for your community? Join us for some juicy details on how you can produce an App that will score gold with your core audience! Learn what it takes to keep your App Healthy and Fresh instead of getting thrown in the trash.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify the pros and cons of developing a phone app.
- Identify the essential elements of a winning smartphone app.
1006 – Exploring Intersections of Leisure Behaviors and Black Individuals/Families in Rural Illinois
Taylor Brooks, Graduate Student, Western Illinois University
It was not until the early 1960's that researchers began exploring the leisure behavior of racial minority groups. Researchers have since established that the leisure patterns of minoritized groups differ from those of their White counterparts. While the literature has suggested multiple hypotheses as to why racial groups recreate the way they do, there are still significant gaps in understanding the meanings and processes minoritized individuals and families negotiate while making choices in leisure. The research presented in this session provides a richer understanding of the ways, if any, race intersects the leisure meanings and behaviors of Black individuals and families in rural Illinois.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Pinpoint and describe some of the sociological structures and forces that influence the leisure needs and wants of Black individuals and families.
- Walk away with a better understanding of the leisure patterns of Black individuals/families and, therefore, an ability to discern what programs meet this group’s leisure needs and wants.
Friday 29 Jan 2021
10:00 am
12 – Lessons, Trends & Opportunities: A Fireside Chat with National and State Leaders
Kristine Stratton, President & CEO, National Recreation and Park Association; Michael Kelly, General Superintendent & CEO, Chicago Park District; Debbie Trueblood, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association
From COVID-19 to mass furloughs and economic upheaval to civil unrest, the past year has brought about seismic disruptions to the industry, unlike anything we've seen before. In the midst of these challenges, parks, recreation, special recreation, forest preserves and conservation agencies were able to carve out creative new ways to safely move forward and continue providing programs that are essential to the health and well-being of their communities. This resiliency in the face of adversity is among several key themes that will be explored as we sit down with IPRA’s Debbie Trueblood and special guests, Kristine Stratton, NRPA CEO and Michael Kelly, Chicago Park District CEO, for a look back over the past year and a look forward to the emerging trends and opportunities beginning to shape and define our future. Join us for this timely and informative discussion.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Reflect on some of the lessons learned over the past year.
- Learn what current trends and opportunities lie ahead for the future of the field.
- Use information about national industry trends to make decisions at a local level.
104 – Beyond Recovery...A Time for Transformation
Jamie Sabbach, President & CEO, 110% & Amilia Consulting USA
The cloak under which we all once existed and called “normal” has been ripped away, likely gone forever. Looking back, “normal” may have worked for some but it wasn’t all that great for others. Excessive entitlement, greed, political self-interest, unsustainable growth, inequities with growing division between the haves and have nots, poor public health indicators and more have led us to a place where we might wonder whether “normal” was best. As we begin to assess the pandemic’s path of destruction, it has revealed many weaknesses and fractures in our society and systems. If we are to begin to heal and recondition, it will take a complete and unmitigated commitment to strengthening our communities’ social fabric, creating rules and policy that favor the common good, and doing some tough but necessary work which will require courage, resolve, determination and strength of character.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Review and analyze pre pandemic and current realities.
- Describe and identify the deficiencies in our current park and recreation operation model(s) and the opportunities which exist moving forward.
107 – ADA Enforcement in the President Biden Administration: Implications for Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Agencies in Illinois
John McGovern, Principal-in-Charge, Accessibility Practice, WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice
Is it too early to forecast what President Biden’s ADA enforcement plan will include? Surveys show that people with disabilities voted for Candidate Biden by a 20% margin. His service in the Senate left a path, and his time as Vice-President leaves some clues as well. Once the United States deals with the coronavirus and the economy, expect attention to pre-existing conditions and ADA enforcement. How will this apply to parks, forest preserves, conservation districts, cities and counties, and special recreation associations? Come with your own predictions and listen to an informed observer share his thoughts and review how President Biden has viewed disability issues in his career.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify disability rights issues President Biden has championed.
- Discuss methods of enforcement and trends under a Biden Administration, and review the ADA standards and regulations likely to be issued in a Biden Administration.
119 – Coaches and Sexual Assault Claims: What You Need to Do to Protect Your Agency
Andrew Paine, Attorney, Tressler LLP; Christine Walczak, Attorney, Tressler LLP
Sexual abuse claims and allegations against coaches and trainers are becoming all too common. This session will explore the disheartening trend and will discuss what your agency can do to guard against it. The session will focus on better understanding the growing trend and identifying proactive steps to help prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. It will also include a discussion of proactive policy measures aimed at preventing abuse from occurring and how best to respond if sexual abuse allegations surface.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Develop tools for understanding, identifying, protecting against, and responding to sexual abuse claims.
- Gain insight into policy measures and other recommended day-to-day best practices aimed at preventing and, if necessary, responding to allegations of abuse.
204 – Comprehensive Planning and Community Engagement in a Post-Pandemic Context
Steve Konters, Senior Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Bridget Deatrick, Associate, Hitchcock Design Group; Dannie Wilson, Senior Consultant, BerryDunn
A comprehensive master plan can assist park and recreation agencies with planning for capital improvements but a careful balance must be maintained between satisfying the interests of the public while being mindful of the budget. Learn about best practices for developing attainable Comprehensive Plans that will provide your community and agency with a clear vision and steps for implementation, as well as how to engage your community, stakeholders, staff, and Board in the process with a post-pandemic context.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Define what a comprehensive plan process should include and how to be setup for successful implementation.
- Identify options to provide for safe and engaging community, staff, stakeholder, and Board involvement from the beginning of the process and into implementation.
407 – Imaginative Programming: Equalizing, Educating and Innovating!
Renee Oakley, Red Oak Nature Center Manager, Red Oak Nature Center/Fox Valley Park District; Christy Graser, Environmental Education Supervisor, Red Oak Nature Center/Fox Valley Park District
Forms of Imaginative play have been found to develop social skills and strengthen decision-making in both children and adults alike. Listen in on how Bigfoot and other cryptid creatures were used in our Imaginative play programming. Learn how to use your imagination to encourage participants to think, reason and get along with a broad audience and how to take it to the next level!
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Walk away with methods to use in their own programming.
- Understand the terms as it applies to this program: Imaginative play, Cryptids, Skeptic, Believer, Participant
- Generate and then discuss potential pros and cons to imaginative play in programming in a Q & A.
414 – Great Expectations Can Revenue Goals and Social Equity Co-Exist
Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township, Texas
The roots of the recreation profession lie in the playground movement of the 1880’s. We were a social service created to keep children safe, but today we are asked to be a service that recovers its cost: can both of these co-exist??? In this session we will review how to identify and address community need, address cost recovery goals and meet the mandate for equity in services. These two mandates can co-exist if a relevant service is provided based on planning, market segmentation, competition analysis and financial performance monitoring.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Develop an approach and plan to producing recreation programs that meet cost recovery goals while addressing social equity.
- Identify how to manage constraints, including change, to participation through developing relevant recreation programs.
504 – Including Community Members During a Global Pandemic
Becky Fredrickson, Inclusion Manager, FVSRA; Carrie Gascoigne, Recreation & Services Manager, NWCSRA; Mia Leyba, Recreation Specialist, WSSRA; Colleen Cline, Recreation Coordinator, NEDSRA; Lisa Barrera, Inclusion Manager, M-NASR
Does the COVID-19 Pandemic have your agency questioning how to best provide inclusion services? We're here to help. Learn ways to ensure that your entire community is included while keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify changes to the inclusion process during a pandemic.
- Utilize resources to provide an inclusive environment to an entire community.
606 – Managing Your Fitness and Recreation Facility in This New World 2021
Mark Davis, CEO, CMS International
Learn how successful facilities around the world are operating. Sales, marketing, management, retention and staff performance will be discussed. You will walk away with a plan that will work in your facility based on successes and failures in hundreds of fitness and recreation centers worldwide. This session will put you years ahead of your competition. You will be able to have all of your questions concerning the future of fitness and recreation answered.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Plan for the next 12 to 24 months.
- Ask any and all questions about what the future holds.
- Learn about the successes and failures of facilities from around the world.
1005 – Everybody Plays: A Best Practice Guide to Multi-Generational Design
Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures
As our population continues to age, communities must continue to stay livable and usable to all- because the reality is we’re designing these communities for our future selves. According to the World Health Organization, by 2050 2 billion people will be over the age of 60. Everybody Plays takes a look at the evolution of our aging population and age-integration trends. We will address how intentionally designed parks contribute to healthy lifestyles both physical and mental, can keep older adults engaged in society thus reducing isolation, as well and combat common ageist beliefs. Through best practice design elements, we can create park and play-spaces that go beyond access but provide enriching and engaging experiences for all so that we can continue to learn from each other.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify the necessity of inter-generational spaces and their importance in all communities as our population ages.
- Identify the benefits of escaping ageist beliefs and promoting an active societal contribution using shared sites and best practice design elements to support all ages. throughout park and play spaces.
11:15 am
13 – Bouncing Back: COVID Opportunities
Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township, Texas
COVID-19 has impacted the parks and recreation in the way we conduct our programs, services and facilities. Professionals had to re-imagine how to operate in these challenging times. This session will focus on identifying management techniques that had to be used due to COVID, that may benefit the profession (participation, revenue, equity) in the long run.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify the impacts of COVID to a parks and recreation agency and the opportunities that were provided as a result of the pandemic.
- Compile a list of strategies that can be used, as a result of COVID, for agency improvement (operational, financial, service).
- Analyze operations to meet the challenges of the "COVID hangover".
110 – Legal/Legislative, Part I
Jason Anselment, General Counsel, Illinois Association of Park Districts; Derke Price, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink
Legal experts will discuss new laws and recent court decisions that affect park districts, conservation districts, forest preserves, recreation, and special recreation agencies. New legal requirements affecting district employment, board meeting, and purchasing policies will be discussed along with statutory changes that may impact district facilities and operations. Recent tort liability cases that provide guideposts in your agency's day-to-day operations will also be covered. Attendees will also receive information about the latest developments from the state capitol and insight on what to expect during the upcoming legislative session. Stay current on a wide variety of changes in the law and learn how those changes will affect the operation of your agency.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand recent legal changes and other developments that affect their agency's operations.
- Determine how to adapt to the requirements of new laws while following best practices.
121 – If You Can’t Write the Checks Nothing Else Matters
Jamie Sabbach, President & CEO, 110% & Amilia Consulting USA; Nicolas Venditti, Cost Recovery Partnerships Manager, Amilia
The recent health, economic and social crises have created an urgent need for organizations to better understand their financial realities in order to prepare themselves for the uncertainties that lie ahead. What better way to help your organization and ultimately your community than by instilling financial discipline, understanding the cost of providing services in order to make informed decisions moving forward, and adopting financial management practices and policies that will help strengthen your organization for the long haul. This is what cost recovery is all about.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Discuss and analyze fiscal reality in public parks and recreation (as well as other sectors).
- Discuss and analyze contemporary financial management philosophy in parks and recreation which is challenging the way things have been done.
134 – Navigating Financial Crises with Forecasting Tools and Sound Financial Management Practices
Andrew Kim, Director, Public Finance, PMA Securities, LLC; Erik Stoltz, Institutional Sales Manager, PMA Securities, LLC
The recent COVID-19 crisis drastically impacted the financial profile of park districts throughout the State of Illinois and highlighted the need for financial forecasting tools and sound financial management practices. This session will provide a financial forecasting model and detail the factors that should be considered in forecasting the impact of a crisis on a park district's finances. This session will also highlight other helpful financial management practices that park districts should consider to navigate the impact of emergency crises on their financial profiles.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Implement a financial forecasting tool that can be adapted to a park district's specific financial profile to make necessary adjustments in the face of a financial crisis.
- Implement sound financial management practices that will serve as a foundation for park districts when they are faced with a financial crisis.
205 – Natural Areas Management: Enriching Life Through Improving Our Environment
William Bedrossian, Owner, Bedrock Earthscapes, LLC
As our built environment consumes more of our lives, learn how to be a champion for increasing bio-diversity and improving the world in which we live. Created native areas provide passive recreation opportunities as well as environmental benefits.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Effectively communicate the need and benefits of created native areas in public spaces.
- Learn how to manage natural areas and how to create a natural areas maintenance budget.
307 – The New Culture is Change
Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District of Forest Park; Jeff Murphy, Business Manager, Park District of Forest Park
With the significant changes the park and recreation industry has gone through over the last 30 years, it is time for us to use the power of organizational culture to help manage change. This presentation will show you how to identify your culture, determine its benefits and blemishes, and find ways to manage change. As a leader you must be willing to influence the culture in ways that will maximize the positive and minimize the negative, leading to a more efficient and effective organization. During this presentation we want professionals to understand change can be good, and establishing the right culture is critical. We want you to open your mind as a leader, and be willing to accept change within yourself which will help set the example for staff. The overall impact of accepting change can build a great team!
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the impact of culture on their organization and harness the power of culture to make positive changes, get employees excited for things to come, and build corporate unity.
- Begin making changes to the organization’s culture with an understanding of the positive and negative impacts of those changes.
309 – Turning a Career of Providing Recreation Into the Opportunity for a Youthful Early Retirement Lifestyle of Recreation, Play and Fun
John Muno, Consultant
This session is intended for Managers/leaders to become stronger advocates for influencing their staff team engagement as well as individual staff team members to become a more fully motivated and engaged professional. Proven results indicate that by better educating and encouraging employees to understand and leverage your/their agency employee benefits can also lead to a connection to a goal of turning your work into your play. The session is designed to simplify the complicated and challenging world of employee benefits available and their direct relationship to the unique public sector employee advantages of being able to attain retirement at a much earlier age than the great majority of the workforce.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Better understand the overall basic menu of employee benefits, more specifically the ones that have a more profound impact on future early age retirement opportunities.
- Develop a greater sense of their personal financial situation relative to their unique opportunity to influence and control their career timeline and destiny.
406 – The How & Why of Running Esports at Your Agency
Maureen McCarthy, Superintendent of Recreation, Park District of Oak Park; Joe Lilly, Program Supervisor, Park District of Oak Park; Keith Blomberg, Recreation Supervisor, New Lenox Community Park District; Neelay Bhatt, Vice President and Principal, PROS Consulting; Omar Sandoval, Director of Information Technology, Naperville Park District
Esports is the fastest-growing genre in the sports world. It's target audience is teens and young adults. Which is a demographic that many agencies struggle to serve. A National Alliance Youth Sports Poll shows that 70% of children stop playing sports by age 13 and 90% of youth ages 12 - 17 report playing video games. Esports is being introduced as a High School sport and many colleges offer Esports teams. How can your agency find a way to engage this demographic in this activity. Listen to how local agencies have found a way to launch esports to their residents.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of how to launch an Esports program for your agency.
- Build a network of fellow recreation providers who are interested in participating in Esports with their teens and young adults.
411 – Building Programs Where Youth Want to Be
Megan Owens, Assistant Professor, Western Illinois University
What is the magic recipe to providing engaging programs that youth want to join? There may not be a magic recipe but some key ingredients lead to better quality programs. Whether a child chooses to participate, their parent needs a reliable, safe childcare option or someone suggests the experience will be ‘good for them’, the most successful programs create an environment where youth connect with others, feel valued and welcomed in that setting. This session will dive into the techniques for building impactful programs that use connection and belonging to encourage youth to explore their interests and develop important life skills.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Gain a better understanding of the relationship between youth engagement, connection, and sense of belonging.
- Identify key program elements that lead to developing connection and sense of belonging.
503 – Combating Compassion Fatigue and Burn Out
Tracie Schendel, Recreational Therapist, Hennepin Healthcare
As caregivers, we give a lot of ourselves every day to better the lives of the people we encounter. In our commitment to provide good care to our patients, we often neglect to take care of ourselves and, over time, experience periods of stress, difficulty and emotional exhaustion. This makes us susceptible to burn out and compassion fatigue. This session with break down burn out and compassion fatigue as well as strategies to combat them from worsening.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- State the fundamental difference between compassion fatigue and burn out.
- Identify three strategies to combat compassion fatigue and burnout.
605 – Viable Options for Installing Solar on Your Facility
Terrence Black, VP Solar Development, Eco Solar; Chris Lindgren, Superintendent of Parks & Planning, Park District of Oak Park
The presentation will include a general overview of solar, how it works, and provide an example of a typical installation. We will also discuss the following topics in detail: environmental and financial incentives available for owning a solar system; SRECS, what they are and how they offset costs; funding options for solar systems; No Cost Option - Realgy /Eco Solar case studies featuring Park District of Oak Park, Highland Park Park District, and Skokie Park District; qualifications, key points and the process for No Cost Option; and the history of the program, the principals, and more examples of installed systems.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the basics of solar technology and the requirements for installing solar on their facilities.
- Have a clearer understanding of the funding options for solar systems available to their park district.
908 – Creating Professional and Attractive Images Using Digital Photography
Steve Neilson, Owner, Valen Studios
Ansel Adams stated, “You don't take a photograph, you make it.”
Learn how to make your own with the BIG 3, F-Stop, shutter speed and ISO. What are those? You'll find out! Not sure where to point your camera? Learn the rules of thirds, white balance and light control to create picture perfect photographs that you can use in your marketing collateral.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Have a better understanding of the technical concepts of photography.
- Learn how to use the manual settings on a digital SLR camera for higher quality images.
1004 – Equity and Evaluation
Bobbi Nance, President, Recreation Results LLC
Planning isn't the only place where parks and recreation have the opportunity to advance social equity from within their systems - measurement and evaluation processes also have a big impact as well. Learn how your data efforts, reports, and evaluation processes have the potential to both help and harm your efforts to improve social equity in your community and steps you can take, big and small, to move towards a more equitable future.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify how the metrics you are using to measure success may be undermining your mission.
- List ways to embed social equity priorities into evaluation processes and reports.
1:45 pm
17 – What COVID-19 Taught Park and Recreation Professionals: Insights From National Survey Comments
Russel Carson, PhD, Research and Health & Wellness Advisor, PlayCore and Kevin Roth, PhD, VP of Research, Evaluation & Technology, NRPA
Park and recreation professionals faced an uncharted year with COVID-19. NRPA launched a weekly national survey in late March 2020 to understand how members were navigating the evolving response and recovery efforts in their communities. Over 2000 surveys were completed by NRPA members and key quantitative findings were summarized on NRPA’s website. One open-ended question asked each week related to “your agency’s efforts surrounding COVID-19 and the role parks and recreation is playing in your community.” The 500+ unedited responses submitted and shared on NRPA’s website were qualitatively coded by content areas. Results represent a wide range of municipality types, population, budget sizes, and funding structures. This session will present key learnings and creative strategies emerging from the forums related to overcoming challenges and elevating the value of parks and recreation during a pandemic.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Summarize key issues confronting park and recreation leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Identify strategies for overcoming COVID-19 challenges related to park and recreation spaces.
- Identify ways to showcase the relevance of parks and recreation as essential aspects of community health and wellness.
- Identify new opportunities for elevating the value of parks and recreation during a pandemic.
103 – Lemons to Lemonade: Leslie Knope's Playbook on How to Thrive in a Pandemic/Crisis
Elizabeth Kessler, Executive Director, McHenry County Conservation District; Jenny Heider, Human Resources Manager, McHenry County Conservation District; Stephanie Michael, IT Specialist, McHenry County Conservation District
Be prepared, not scared. Embracing change and adapting in uncertain times takes effective leadership, teamwork and preparedness planning. Using a case-study model, this session will provide you with a variety of tools and ideas on how to rapidly assess and pivot your agency during a crisis to ensure continuity in business functions and operations while increasing value to your community as essential service providers.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Proactively identify and assess critical agency functions and corresponding actions to navigate effectively during a crisis.
- Prepare a customized risk-management plan to assist elected officials and agency staff with timely decisions and communication.
105 – The Change Curve
Gabriel Castillo, President/CEO, RecStar Consulting
In the new age of COVID 19, we were all forced into needing to make changes within our organization, the challenge is for us to help and support people through these individual transitions, which can be intensely traumatic, and involve loss of power and prestige and even employment. The easier you can make this journey for people, the sooner your organization will benefit and the more likely you are to be successful in implementing lasting change.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify phases of change each person or group could experience.
- Discuss the biggest barriers to creating lasting change.
109 – Board Member to Board Leader
Dannielle Wilson, Senior Consultant, BerryDunn
At the heart of every park board and foundation board is a good-intentioned citizen who wants to give back to their community. Whether a new eager-beaver or a seasoned veteran, board members share the same desire to do a fantastic job. This session will help individual board members ensure that they are being impactful in a positive way. If you're looking for a session that goes beyond the nuts and bolts and digs into real, meaningful, and applicable board topics, then look no further! New in 2021, we'll take a deep dive into leading through challenge. As a former park board secretary and a current foundation board member, practical experience on both sides of the table will be shared with an engaging, insightful, and lighthearted approach. This is just what you need to acquire new skills and energize yourself for a successful board tenure!
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify tactics they would like to employ in their boardsmanship.
- Display renewed energy and enthusiasm in their leadership role.
111 – Legal/Legislative, Part II
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
This session will bring you up to date on new legal requirements affecting your agency including the latest federal and state legislation, regulations and case law affecting public employment, public finance, OMA/FOIA, public construction, tort liability/immunity, civil rights liability and more.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn about a wide range of new laws affecting their agency's operations and legal exposures.
- Receive expert advice on how to adapt to these new legal developments.
208 – Design Excellence: Global Trends in Playground Design
Scott Roschi, Creative Director, Landscape Structures
What role does good design play in society? How do you know it when you see it? What goes into creating it? Is excellence ever easy? Through these questions and examples from around the world, we will examine global trends and their impacts on designing impactful playground environments today. We will explore how great design influences great playground design. From new ideas to new materials, bringing design aesthetic to great collaboration to play environments. Discussions will also focus on the opportunities for stronger collaboration between playground designers and Landscape Architects.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Discuss how great design in everyday life directly impacts playground environment design and maximizes community participation.
- Identify global design trends and how to integrate them into play environments.
304 – Coronavirus Ongoing Management: Planning for Continued Financial Stability
Jon Beckmann, Superintendent of Finance, Waukegan Park District; Jay Lerner, Executive Director, Waukegan Park District; Chris Bamber, Senior Managing Consultant, PFM Solutions LLC
We are currently almost a full year from where the coronavirus began to take an immediate and overwhelming toll on our communities. The business and finance leaders of local governments were met with excruciatingly tough decisions on how to balance the revenue loss and need for expenditure reduction, while still providing public services to its constituents. Now, almost a year later, this session will review this exercise with how Waukegan Park District evaluated its own financial future within the context of the crisis, what measures it put into place to navigate itself through the financial storm, and what this means going forward for the District and its community. The session will cover these topics through the lens of best practices in long-term financial planning on both operations and capital, with practical demonstrations of how Waukegan Park District developed its menu of options to evaluate and employ over the past year.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand how debt and capital expenses and funding play into a continuing operational plan focused on cost management.
- Review the effectiveness of implemented cost reduction measures.
412 – Enhancing Programs With Low or No Cost Technology: Interactive Trivia Game Show Format
Cameron Edelman, Recreation Supervisor, Northbrook Park District
If your anything like me you are always looking for ways to make your programs even better. An easy way to impress and improve engagement in your programs is through the use of technology. This session will not only give you countless low and no cost technology ideas for enhancing your camps, classes, events and sports leagues but you will also be participating in a exciting an unpredictable trivia game show that will give you even more technology and event ideas. For the competitive and non competitive alike!
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Gain ideas and resources for low and no cost technology, including interactive PowerPoints.
- Learn how and why the use of technology in programming increases engagement and overall particpation.
415 – Children Learn What They Live: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Toxic Stress How to Become a Trauma-Informed Community!
Kate Mallory, Grant Director, PD Consultant, MS.Ed, Regional Office of Education #26; , , ; , ,
“What’s wrong with them?” Or should we be saying, “What’s Happened to Them?” This session will enable participants to identify toxic stress and the effects of adverse childhood experiences to the brain. The original Adverse Childhood Experience study will be explored to a personal level. Participants will be also be introduced to trauma-informed practices that will enable them to build a trauma-informed community through assisting families in building and strengthening protective factors.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify child trauma and toxic stress through the review of the Adverse Childhood Experience Study.
- Develop a trauma-informed environment by identifying and strengthening protective factors.
506 – Programming With Purpose
Nicole Derrig, Support Staff Manager, Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation
Development and adaptation of recreation programming, with a focus on specific objectives, is a key element of Therapeutic Recreation. Community recreation provides a unique and flexible opportunity for us to offer goal oriented programming. It is possible utilize the entire process, from registration to the last pick up, and find purpose within each step. If we do so, we are able to better guide participants toward achieving their goals. In this session, you will learn how to break down activities as well as the in-between moments and use them to promote purposeful engagement from your participants. We will also identify ways this can be achieved when you have large groups or are working alongside part time staff.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify potential purposes of participation for the individuals you serve, and how to create goals from that information.
- Use or create the purposeful moments in your activities and find ways to propel participants toward growth opportunities in your current programming.
906 – Mapping Your Resident Journey to Better Serve Your Community
Liz McConomy, VP Marketing, SmartRec by Amilia
Using real-life Parks and Recreation personas, this session will dive into Customer Journey Mapping: the why, the how and (most importantly!) the what-to-avoid. Customer journey mapping helps organizations step into their resident’s shoes and see themselves from the resident's perspective. By creating empathy maps based on your resident personas, you can better spot pain points and opportunities to improve not only their experience with your organization but also their overall satisfaction. The goal of an optimized Customer Journey is to increase subscriptions, community engagement and help you build the best relationships with your citizens – a must for any organization!
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn how to understand their residents and their interests, motivators and communication preferences.
- Learn how to categorize their organization's offerings in alignment with their resident personas and how to identify new opportunities to connect, engage and attract residents to their facilities.
1003 – Disability Awareness & Etiquette: Top 10 Tips
Larry Labiak, Disability Policy Officer, Chicago Park District
This interactive session, featuring role-play scenarios dashed with humor, provides attendees information they can use to enhance their 'disability comfort zone' when interacting with park patrons who have a disability. Whether a park-goer is blind, deaf or in a wheelchair, that first-time encounter can be awkward. With a little upfront knowledge on various disabilities and a bit (or bites) of disability perspective, dispel the un-comfortability and be in the zone.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Enhance general knowledge of various disabilities and ability to respond appropriately.
- Mitigate disability-related social barriers that inhibit service delivery to park patrons with disabilities.
4:00 pm
Keynote General Session
Jason Benetti
Saturday 30 Jan 2021
11:00 am
115 – Commissioner and Agency Ethics: Identifying and Avoiding Ethical Violations That Could Cost You Plenty
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Today more than ever, elected officials and high-ranking public executives are under the microscope of public scrutiny. In a world where the public can record and publish events to the world as they occur, elected and appointed park, forest preserve and other agency officials must know and observe all of the ethics laws that apply. Ethical lapses must be avoided rather than corrected. Ethical mistakes with contracts, competitive bids, campaign activities, gifts, and others can cost you your position, subject you to criminal and civil liability, and damage your organization. Join this session to understand your ethics rules and how they apply, through stories and examples.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
-Learn the statutory and common law ethics rules governing commissioners and other high ranking elected and appointed public officers, including prohibited interests in contracts, statements of economic interest, official misconduct, criminal public contracting, gift bans, and prohibited political activities.
- Learn strategies for identifying and avoiding conduct that violates statutory and common law ethical rules and principles.
120 – Home Grown Privacy Threats for Municipalities
Patrick Stufflebeam, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will address privacy regulations for Illinois park districts and the best strategies to comply with these regulations. In addition to identifying the various privacy threats, this discussion will also provide an account of the unique privacy laws regulating Illinois park districts and their contractors. Todd will offer advice on how to comply with Illinois’ privacy laws and the new laws that will impact all park districts in the future.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify relevant privacy laws impacting day-to-day operations.
- Gain tools and strategies for navigating the complex, evolving area of privacy laws.
124 – Sexual Harassment: Prevention and Tips
Emily Galligan, Attorney, Heyl Royster
This presentation will focus on identifying sexual harassment in the workplace and how public employers can limit or avoid this type of liability. We will discuss how to implement policies and procedures to address sexual harassment, as well as practical tips to mitigate liability. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion with hypothetical scenarios. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the type of sexual harassment seen in the workplace today and how to handle difficult sexual harassment situations.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the difference between the different forms of sexual harassment, including quid pro quo and hostile work environment, and identify illegal harassment and discrimination at the workplace.
- Determine how the employer should respond to and investigate sexual harassment allegations and what the employer can do to minimize liability.
127 – The Culture Code: Creating a Healthy Relationship Between Executive Directors and Elected Officials
Derke Price, Partner, Ancel Glink, PC
The executive director is the board's most important employee (in some models, the board's only employee). This session reviews tips and advice for both directors and elected officials on how to keep that relationship healthy and functional.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Have a better understanding of how to set expectations for both sides for success.
- Understand strategies for performance review and compensation of the executive director.
306 – Keeping Your Strategic Plans Fresh
Bobbi Nance, President, Recreation Results LLC
It's easy for strategic plans to become stale and even leaders with the best intentions can find it hard to ensure that these and other plans stay top-of-mind and up-to-date. Whether you're trying to increase the engagement and motivation of your staff related to your strategic plan, or realize that a refresh is needed to keep it relevant after a hectic 2020, it's time to pull your strategic plan off your shelf and put it back to work.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Follow a framework to revisit your current strategic plan and give it a refresh without starting from scratch.
- Develop a list of activities you can use to re-energize your staff in driving your organization's strategy forward.
413 – Creating and Ensuring a Relevant Parks and Recreation Agency
Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township, Texas
The challenges of today are multi-faceted and can range from social ills to business models. Do we attempt to solve them all or identify what problems our agency’s effectively address? What is most important is to understand how to be relevant, thus making sports and recreation agencies a critical success factor to the success of a community. Along the way identification and development of critical advocates to ensure your success is needed. This session will address how to evaluate where you are, the identification of critical advocates and implement a plan for relevance.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Identify and understand the process of implement change in regards to relevance across an organization.
- Have the ability to develop a program for relevance within the agency, division and/or unit.
1:00 pm
18 – Economic Impact of Museums and Green Spaces on Community and COVID-19's Impact on Them Now and in the Future
Eric Moraczewski, CEO, NMBL Strategies; Dion Brown, Managing Director of Nonprofit Services, NMBL Strategies
NMBL Strategies' CEO, Eric Moraczewski and Dion Brown, Managing Director of Nonprofit Services, look forward to sharing the economic influence museums and green spaces can make upon communities and how that's being affected by world events now and in the future. It will be a time where the audience is invited to think of opportunities of how they can influence their respective communities during this pivotal time in our history. The speakers welcome plenty of Q&A to make the session dynamic and collaborative.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Engage in a topic that often is a missed opportunity for museums and green space projects.
- Learn how to better quantify their economic effect on their communities with case studies from the B.B. King Museum, Gateway Arch Park Foundation and National Blues Museum.
- Learn collaborative ways to engage with government, local community leadership and private enterprise.
- Hear best practices on how to garner positive media coverage locally and nationally.
113 – Boardmanship, Part 1: Essential Board Practices and New Electronic and Social Media Considerations
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Learn the fundamentals of being on an elected board and the latest developments in social media, virtual meetings, and electronic communication for commissioners. This session will cover Open Meetings Act and parliamentary essentials, typical board meeting practices, voting rules, and more, in the post-COVID world, from a 35-year veteran park district lawyer. Attendees will learn how the rules work, how much “procedure” is needed, and how to use the rules fairly to meet their needs. This session includes a discussion of the essential elements of your agency's board policy.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn the key OMA and parliamentary rules, strategies and best practices for lawful and effective public meetings.
- Chair/actively participate in public meetings with clarity and confidence.
- Ensure equitable meeting participation by commissioners, staff and the public.
- Learn the latest rules and best practices concerning electronic communications and virtual meetings.
- Review and update their current board policies to ensure their board's compliance with ethical, up-to-date rules for board activity.
117 – Emergency Written Policies Every Park District Should Have and the Action Steps Those Policies Should Contain
Joseph Crimmins, President, Serve and Protect Law LLC; Michael Crane, CEO, Securisks
Learn how to improve your park district’s written emergency policies. Policies we will discuss include severe weather, bomb threat, domestic violence involving employees and the possible danger to the workplace, active shooter and active threat, flood and fire, building evacuation, and reunification of parents and children that were separated during a crisis event.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Improve their written policy from one containing generic and boilerplate policy statements into a policy containing specific action steps that will help employees react and respond appropriately.
- Establish and document an effective chain of command within their organization when building leaders are not on site.
128 – Not in My Park! Regulating Controversial Park Activities
Adam Simon, Partner, Ancel Glink; Dan Bolin, Partner, Ancel Glink
Park agencies manage many acres of public space where sometimes controversial activities take place. What authority does your organization have to regulate parks, while respecting the individual rights of park patrons? Find out at "Not in my Park!" proudly presented by Ancel Glink’s Quorum Forum podcast! Attorneys Adam Simon and Dan Bolin will explore scenarios based on real cases and help participants avoid legal pitfalls in park supervision.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Manage legal issues with assembly uses ranging from public protests to LARPing.
- Take home best practices for addressing legal issues with public monuments and other sometimes controversial activities.
310 – Workers' Compensation and Occupational Exposure Claims in the Age of COVID-19: How to Defend Your Park District During a Pandemic
Britt Isaly, Attorney, Ancel Glink, P.C.; Doug Sullivan, Attorney, Ancel Glink, P.C.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has changed the way we approach workers' compensation claims. In many ways, the pandemic will likely improve the way we collect an employee's accident and exposure data and offers us new ways to prepare to defend the claims. Come and hear from two attorneys who concentrate their legal practice in the defense of workers' compensation claims for Illinois local governments. Discover improved ways to handle receiving, investigating and defending claims for your park district.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Develop a more comprehensive personnel policy dealing with your employee's reporting and for your investigating workers' compensation and exposure claims.
- Target the common, disputed issues in a workers' compensation claim against your park district.
- Learn how to investigate and advocate for the park district as well as see how these potentially disputed issues are later litigated or used as leverage to settle the claim.
2:15 pm
114 – Boardmanship, Part II: Commissioner Conflict and the Path to Board Excellence
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Even the best public agency boards experience conflict, and healthy conflict is a sign of a healthy board. But not all board conflict is good for your agency and commissioners and executives must have procedures, strategies and practices available to ensure healthy debate and professionalism and to maintain agency credibility. This session explores the legal and practical challenges of conflict management and the importance of keeping conflict constructive. This session will also provide practical advice for keeping boards efficient, credible, and excellent.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn practical and legal strategies for managing public agency personal and group conflict and dysfunction.
- Learn how to use parliamentary, OMA and interpersonal strategies to defuse personal conflict, build consensus, and keep board debate constructive and impersonal.
- Learn the legal and practical tools available to grow board professionalism, efficiency and credibility.
- Learn ways to improve the delivery of important initiatives.
123 – Public Meeting Best Practices
Andrew Paine, Attorney, Tressler LLP; James Hess, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will focus on some of the more challenging aspects of public meetings such as commonly misused closed session exceptions, options for controlling a rowdy crowd, how to handle rogue commissioners, public relations issues, and everything in between.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Walk away with the tips and strategies for successfully navigating challenging public meetings.
- Develop strategies for conducting productive, efficient meetings.
132 – Property Brothers - The Seminar
Kurt Asprooth, Partner, Ancel Glink; Gregory Jones, Partner, Ancel Glink
Learn the ins and outs of land purchase, sale, and lease of park district property. Topics include what you need to know to evaluate property-related proposals from private and public sector entities alike, and how property transfers can help advance a district's mission.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Learn the techniques and requirements in park land deals for sale, lease and acquisition.
- Hear how thinking out of the box might be the direction for future park land deals.
608 – We're Watching You: Use of Video Surveillance in Parks and Facilities
Scott Puma, Partner, Ancel Glink, P.C.; Megan Mack, Attorney, Ancel Glink, P.C.
As the use of video surveillance has become more common, questions arise as to what to do with stored videos and what happens when people request to see them. This session will focus on the use of video surveillance in parks and facilities, what agencies should do with the videos once they have them, the use of the videos, and how to respond to requests to review videos.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Determine whether their policies need to be updates, gain strategies for the use of videos, learn proper methods for storage and destruction of videos, and when videos may be given to third parties.
- Learn best practices relative to video surveillance.