NOTE: Schedule subject to change
All sessions award 0.1 CEUs. Sessions that award 1.0 CLE credits are as noted accordingly in the session listing.
- Thursday 27 Jan 2022
- Friday 28 Jan 2022
- Saturday 29 Jan 2022
Thursday 27 Jan 2022
9:30 am
15 - Cultivating Collaboration: Pekin Park District’s Experience Adopting a Health and Wellness Policy
Kathryn Bernstein, Nutrition Program Manager, Illinois Public Health Institute; Cameron Bettin, Executive Director, Pekin Park District
In January 2021, Pekin Park District partnered with the local health department, Tazewell County Health Department, and a statewide nonprofit, the Illinois Public Health Institute, to develop a comprehensive health and wellness policy. Following the mission to improve the quality of life for the district’s residents, Pekin Park District anticipates this policy will solidify the continued dedication to the health and wellness of the employees, community, and environment. We would like to share the process of developing this policy, introduce it to staff members, and present the preliminary outcomes and lessons learned. We will also share resources with attendees should they be interested in developing their own policies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Increase awareness of the benefits of health and wellness policies, including increased interorganizational collaboration.
- Increase awareness of the process of developing a health and wellness policy, and the resources available to support these efforts.
112 - The Nuts and Bolts of Employee Leave Rights Under the FMLA, ADA, and Illinois Law
Kevin Noll, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz; Tom Garretson, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz
Employers often struggle to navigate requests from employees for time off from work. Is the leave paid or unpaid? Should the leave be designated as FMLA? What documents can I request from the employee to support their leave request? Unfortunately for employers, one wrong step can result in exposure to liability. This session will review the various leave statutes and provide recommendations for addressing employee leave requests.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand which leave statutes apply and the interplay between the statutes.
- Identify the myths routinely cited by employees and become equipped to address leave requests consistently and within the parameters of the law.
116 - Bidding, Construction and Contract Administration
Nicole Karas, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz
This program dives deep into the world of competitive bidding and procurement for park and forest preserve districts. The presenters will address when bidding is required, the bidding procedures, and related problems, such as determining the lowest responsible bidder, what to do with defective bids, and when and how to use government joint purchasing cooperatives. The presenters will focus on the challenging issues in this area and answer your questions. This program will also identify and discuss the required contract language to minimize risk to your agency.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about competitive bidding rules, bid awards, and how to handle bidding problems.
- Learn about contract language critical to protecting your agency on a construction project.
205 - Using Native Plants in Parks for Beauty, Cost Savings and Stormwater Management
Bill Bedrossian, Owner, Bedrock Earthscapes, LLC
The diversity and deep roots of native plants make them ideal for converting low-use or problem areas to beautiful native plantings. Native plants provide season-long changes in beautiful flower color, can be lower cost to maintain than turf, and are used to cleanse, filter, and cool rainwater runoff to support cleaner streams and rivers. Learn how using native plants can be one more tool in your arsenal of professional grounds management skills.
Learning Outcomes:
- Determine where and how natives plantings can be cost-effectively used as you manage a parks budget.
- Avoid past pitfalls and overcome objections to using native plants in the built environment by customizing their use to your situation.
211 - Storytelling Through Play
Eric Hornig, Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Doug Fair, Senior Associate, Hitchcock Design Group; Eric Shutes, Director of Planning, Naperville Park District
In recent years, destination play has driven foot traffic to large and small communities alike throughout the United States. Destination play spaces, such as Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden, Bellaboos Imagination Garden, 95th Street Community Plaza, and Bison’s Bluff, have been catalysts for local economic influence because they bring in visitors from all over the region and country. What makes them special and worthy of being a destination? They each tell a story of local context, organizational mission, and shared resources. What stories does your community have to tell, and how might they be manifested in your parks?
Learning Outcomes:
- Define a storytelling destination play space and identify the key elements that make up this unique project type.
- Understand the importance of each element and the essential steps in the design process: budgeting, community input, pushing design boundaries, construction delivery methods, and approaches for this project type.
- Identify the potential effects of adding a destination play space in the community, including attendance, memberships, operations, maintenance, and long-term considerations.
310 - Financing for Illinois Park Districts – Bonds 101
Kevin Heid, Managing Director, Stifel; Kyle Harding, Partner, Chapman and Cutler, LLP
In this session, board members and administrators will learn about the types of financing available to finance Illinois park projects. We will explore how these debt products are issued and which options might be right for a particular project.
Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate which financing alternatives might fit the projects and the pros and cons of various options to determine a solution that best suits their needs.
- Understand debt limitations, the necessary time frames for various alternatives, and the various parties involved in debt issuance.
314 - It’s a Brave New E-World: From Online Meetings to E-Sports
Derke Price, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink, PC; Omar Sandoval, Director of IT, Naperville Park District
The mission of the park district now includes online meetings, e-sports, and the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. This panel will discuss safeguards, best practices, and contract concerns for your time in the cyberverse.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn best practices for balancing accessibility and web outreach with the security of your data and systems.
- Learn about protections to consider in contracts with vendors.
404 - Program Evaluation – Obtaining the Information You Really Want to Know: Part I
Megan Owens, Assistant Professor, Western Illinois University
Every year, park and recreation agencies provide hundreds of thousands of programs, events, and services. Some programs address specific goals/outcomes, whereas other events or services focus on enjoyable experiences. How do we know that our intended outcome is achieved? Many agencies use generic customer satisfaction surveys except when a granting organization requires specific data from participants. Agencies should employ program evaluation to gather information regularly to make informed decisions about program design and goals. Program evaluation does not need to be overly complicated or time-consuming. Part one will focus on the processes of understanding different evaluation forms and designing evaluation tools.
Learning Outcomes:
- Obtain a better understanding of different methods of program evaluation.
- Differentiate program evaluation design for programs, events, and services.
408 - Natural Benefits: What Nature Centers Can Do to Boost Your Programming!
Christy Graser, Environmental Education Supervisor, Fox Valley Park District; Jessica Reyes, Heller Nature Center Manager, Park District of Highland Park
Looking for a way to expend boundless energy while helping your program’s registrants and campers improve social skills and cooperation techniques and provide opportunities for the popular skill of self-inquiry? Let the IPRA Nature Committee introduce you to the tools, resources, and talent that can fulfill your year-round programming. Learn about field trip opportunities in your backyard that can fill a full or half-day of fun. Local options can fit all types of budgets, group sizes, and timeline needs!
Learning Outcomes:
- Link the benefits of nature-based resources and tools to your programming.
- List three benefits of nature programming and how it applies to you.
415 - Vetting and Training Youth Coaches: The Bar Has Been Raised
John LaMalva, Founder, Alpha Youth Sports
The rate of youth sports “incidents” (including negative behaviors, injuries, and various forms of abuse) has continued to rise, garnering national attention. Recent federal and state initiatives to improve coach vetting and training have resulted in mandates for specific action in an increasing number of youth sports organizations. Several segments of the youth sports market have made dramatic improvements in vetting and preparing youth coaches. In general, however, programs offered by recreational departments have made less progress. Participants in this session will have an opportunity to learn how the landscape has changed, how legislation (including the Safe Sport Act) affects them, and what actions they can take to address the growing risk faced in offering youth sports programs. A survey of participants will help drive this discussion, enabling participants to view how they “stack up” in these areas vs. other agencies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the risks associated with ineffectively vetting and preparing youth coaches and understand how recent and planned legislation regarding youth coaches affects you.
- Identify three to five actions to take to improve your program and reduce your risk level.
506 - Introduction to Adaptive Scuba Diving
Tinamarie Hernandez, Executive Director, Diveheart; Jim Elliott, President and Founder, Diveheart
This session is an informative course for occupational therapy practitioners interested in gaining knowledge on adaptive scuba diving. Adaptive scuba diving has a long history but is gaining more interest for individuals with disabilities and practitioners alike due to its inherent therapeutic qualities extending beyond those of a typical adaptive sport. As a healthcare professional, here is your opportunity to learn who is a good fit for adaptive scuba, its researched benefits, and the adaptive equipment to help individuals of all abilities with adaptive diving. At the end of this course, you will have an introductory understanding of adaptive scuba diving so that you can begin to incorporate it into your clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an introductory understanding of adaptive scuba diving by passing the course examination with an 80% or greater.
- Identify at least three ways a therapy practitioner can become involved with adaptive scuba diving in or out of the water.
609 - Tennis Courts and Athletic Tracks: Common Problems and Solutions
Mike Remington, President, INSPEC, INC.
Learn essential and valuable information about tennis courts and athletic tracks, including common problems and defects, recommendations for proper maintenance, and how they are designed and constructed. Find out what color schemes are best for tennis courts and what type of athletic track surfacing is recommended. Discover how to minimize cracking on tennis courts, fix cracks, extend the life of the athletic track surface, and other vital tips.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the principles of tennis court design and typical problems that develop to make informed/educated decisions regarding maintenance or replacement.
- Learn the basic design of athletic tracks and the common problems and methods of maintenance to address them.
615 - Aquatics Roundtable
Dave Littwin, Facilities & Aquatics Manager, Lombard Park District; Liz Blake, Aquatic Manager, Hoffman Estates Park District; Kayla Lindgren, Aquatic & Rink Manager, Park District of Oak Park; Jenn Foreman, Aquatics Facilities Supervisor, Buffalo Grove Park District
We’ve made it this far; let’s keep it going! Summer 2022 opening day is a few months away. You are making your plans and meeting with your fellow park and recreation professionals to see what they have planned as well. Join this interactive roundtable discussion covering topics ranging from opening operations to the day the facility closes for the season. The Aquatics Committee, part of IPRA's Facility Management Section, consists of a passionate group of park district professionals that specialize or work in aquatic facilities. Topics include: 1) Recruitment: Tips, tricks and what works; 2) Training: Making it fun and engaging for all; and 3) Guard Games 2022: It’s back!
Learning Outcomes:
- Meet and network with other aquatics professionals to gain new ideas on training, programs, and operations.
- Learn more about Guard Games and begin planning the activities and host facilities for the 2022 games.
905 - Surviving or Thriving; Sponsorships Amid a Pandemic
Stacey Fontechia, Sales and Sponsorship Manager, Naperville Park District
What has happened to your sponsorship program during COVID-19? Did your district thrive, or did you just find ways to survive? This presentation will give you further insight into additional creative sponsorship opportunities that will give your partners added exposure. Additionally, this session will teach you about reevaluating your sponsorship opportunities and determining what works best for your district and partners while creating additional revenue.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how to increase revenue by reevaluating current sponsorship opportunities and getting creative in your approach, such as with outdoor signage, which can bring in thousands of additional revenue dollars.
- Learn how to evaluate your media kit, including looking for missed opportunities and ensuring that you are taking advantage of every high-performing program in your district, such as preschool, dance, gymnastics, and STEM, not just events and sports.
914 - Applying Strategy to Your Digital Presence
Kimberly Smith, Director of Marketing & Customer Care, Bolingbrook Park District; Justin Waters, Marketing Manager, Oak Lawn Park District
Smartphones and technology are not going away. It is more important than ever to ensure your digital presence supports your brand. This can be accomplished by having a solid strategic plan for your digital assets. This session will walk you through the strategic planning process for your website, social media, and other digital assets. You will also gain a solid understanding of appropriate metrics to ensure you are supporting your district’s overall goals.
Learning Outcomes:
- Create a step-by-step process to develop a strategic plan specifically for digital assets, including your website, social media, e-newsletters, YouTube channel, and more.
- Develop a comprehensive metrics plan for their digital assets and understand how they tie into their overall district-wide strategic plan.
1006 - Using Healing Cafes to Begin to Heal Our Communities
Linda Henderson, All Things Consulting
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. These historical and ongoing traumas have led and continue to lead to physical and behavioral health disparities. Would you please join us as we explore the historical and contemporary racial inequities and address these effects to build a just future that promotes healing and resilience?
Learning Outcomes:
- Define historical trauma and systemic racism/oppression/trauma.
- Describe the effects on individuals and communities.
- Explain the healing café model of having difficult discussions to promote healing and resilience.
11:00 am
107 - Updates From the Department of Human Rights
Kevin Noll, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz; Tom Garretson, Attorney, Robbins Schwartz
The Illinois legislature recently made significant amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act, limiting an employer’s use of conviction records and requiring sexual harassment training for employees and the disclosure of adverse judgments to the Department of Human Rights. This session addresses these issues and analyzes an employer’s rights and obligations following the amendments. Attendees will feel comfortable operating HR departments efficiently and risk-free in 2022 and beyond.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the recent amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the rights and obligations of employers stemming from these amendments.
- Respond to employees’ most frequently asked questions regarding the amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act.
115 - Social Media, Public Speech, and the First Amendment
Yordana Wysocki, Attorney, Hervas, Condon & Bersani, P.C.
This session provides an overview on how the courts use First Amendment principles and law in the social media context. We will examine what social media speech is protected for employees, elected officials, and the public and address how recent presidential administrations have changed the face of government social media speech under the First Amendment.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the issues raised in traditional First Amendment analysis and apply that analysis to social media forums.
- Create policies and procedures to govern the social media speech of public officials, employees, and the public to comply with First Amendment protections.
208 - Midwest Grows Green Technical Assistance Program: Improving Soil Health with Organics
Ryan Anderson, Community IPM Outreach Specialist, IPM Institute of North America, Inc.
Growing evidence indicates that dense organic matter materials can increase turfgrass field performance. In this session, Midwest Grows Green natural lawn care (NLC) technical assistance program (TAP) team members Ryan Anderson and Vytas Pabedinskas cover soil health principles and how to apply these principles in a sports and recreational field management setting. Anderson and Pabedinskas will detail how the TAP helped local authorities, such as the River Forest Park District, leverage soil health to improve turfgrass performance without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, despite budget cuts during COVID-19.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the practices of compost topdressing, organic fertilization, and other techniques that improve soil health.
- Obtain knowledge and resources to improve soil health this growing season.
214 - How to Manage Your Parking Lots and Other Pavements
Mike Remington, President, INSPEC, INC.
Learn how to properly manage your parking lots and sidewalks from a pavement engineer with over 30 years of experience. This presentation will cover common problems and proper maintenance methods, including seal coating, overlays, repairs, and pavement reclaiming and provides an excellent overview of both asphalt and concrete pavements for facility managers. This presentation will help you manage your pavement cost-effectively.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand ways to maintain and maximize the performance and longevity of paved surfaces.
- Understand types of wear and options for repair or when replacement is necessary and make educated decisions for repairs versus replacement.
304 - Cooperative Purchasing 101
Jon Henke, Client Relations Administrator, Sourcewell
The average public agency today uses cooperative purchasing for 20% of spending. Procurement professionals are using cooperatives twice as much as they did in 2010, and that number is growing. Why? GovWin and Onvia’s 2018 survey reports that procurement staff are running leaner and are asked to purchase more with stricter budgets. As a result, they look to cooperatives as an industry best practice to build an additional purchasing arm for their teams. Cooperative procurement strives to help public agencies be more efficient in the purchasing process. This session will introduce attendees to the value of cooperative purchasing and explain the process of a cooperative contract.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how cooperative purchasing programs can simplify the purchasing process.
- Understand how cooperative purchasing programs can become part of their strategic sourcing plan.
308 - Tis The Season: Demonstrating a Conscious Regard for Safety Throughout the Year
Dustin Fisher, Deputy General Counsel, PDRMA
In this session, we will take a practical review of how to avoid willful and wanton liability. We will explore risk management principles and legal best practices as the seasons and activities change from aquatics and day camps in the summer months to sledding and slips and falls in the winter. Don’t miss this interactive discussion covering recent case law, practical examples, and best practices to prevent injury and avoid liability.
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply the Tort Immunity Act protections to your programming.
- Compare and implement the suggested best practices to your current practices.
312 - Implementing GASB Statement No. 87, Leases
John Goll, Senior Financial Analyst, Fox Valley Park District; Anthony Cervini, Partner-in-Charge, Government Services, Sikich LLP
GASB 87 will soon become effective for your organization. Join John Goll from the Fox Valley Park District and Anthony Cervini from Sikich LLP for an informative discussion on how to best gather the information needed to efficiently and correctly implement this significant new pronouncement.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the information needed to implement GASB Statement No. 87.
- Develop a plan for how to best implement this pronouncement for your organization.
405 - Program Evaluation – Obtaining the Information You Really Want to Know: Part II
Megan Owens, Assistant Professor, Western Illinois University
Every year, park and recreation agencies provide hundreds of thousands of programs, events, and services. Some programs address specific goals/outcomes, whereas other events or services focus on enjoyable experiences. How do we know that our intended outcome is achieved? Many agencies use generic customer satisfaction surveys except when a granting organization requires specific data from participants. Agencies should employ program evaluation to gather information to make informed decisions about program design and goals. Program evaluation does not need to be overly complicated or time-consuming. Part two will recap the evaluation design method with a strong emphasis on the implementation process of the evaluation across an agency.
Learning Outcomes:
- Initiate the design of a program evaluation for one program, event, or service for your agency.
- Identify two methods of implementing a program evaluation.
409 - Freshen Up Annual Special Events
Mary Lester, Member IPRA, IPRA Senior Committee; Cheryl Riley, Superintendent of Recreation, City of Collinsville
Every season, community members eagerly look forward to their area park districts’ annual special events. As recreation professionals, how do we keep these events fresh and exciting year after year while maintaining quality and sticking to a budget? Recreation professionals from the IPRA Special Event Committee will focus on three annual events: the Fall “Boo Bash” Halloween Kids Festival, Fall “Bonfires & Brews” adult event, and Spring Daddy Daughter & Mother Son Date Nights. They will discuss the changes made to keep past participants interested and attract new participants each year.
Learning Outcomes:
- Take specific ideas and plans for annual special event programming back to your agency.
- Gain knowledge and resources on modifying existing special events and keeping them fresh year after year.
510 - Turning Failure On Its Head: How to Stop What’s Stopping You From Moving Forward
Bobbi Nance, President, Recreation Results
We all know deep down that failure is inevitable when we try something new and that it can even help us produce better outcomes in the end. Despite this, we all work hard to avoid it (or even worse, ignore it) instead of embracing it. Learn how to get psychology on your side when it comes to motivating yourself past uncertainty and a fear of failure and helping those around you navigate it as well. Through hands-on games and exercises, learn how to turn failure on its head and move past avoidance, turning failure into an advantage.
Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate how you respond both positively and negatively to different types of failure.
- Adapt some of the traditional methods used to tackle uncertainly to address the fear of failure.
603 - COVID Made Me Do It: Reimagining Traditional Uses of Facilities
Suzanne Waghorne, Division Manager, Carol Stream Park District; Sara Witteck, Recreation Supervisor, Carol Stream Park District
Looking for ways to reimagine a facility that seems to have lost its luster or public appeal? COVID-19 forced us to look at facilities that have been underutilized in fresh in new ways! From hosting special events to extending the guest experience past the expected, taking a fresh look at a traditional facility can expand its use and revenue. Walk away with practical tips for recognizing what current resources you may have and what steps you can take to reinvigorate an outdated space by adapting special events to work within external restrictions and learn to identify cross-marketing opportunities.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the advantages of reimagining the traditional use of an underutilized facility or space.
- Identify and understand the conception and development of programs, special events, and services that will further enhance revenue development in your facilities.
605 - Do You Know What You Have? Understanding and Assessing Your System Assets
Frank Parisi, Vice President/Managing Principal, Williams Architects/Aquatics
Do we have that? Is it in good shape? Does it need help? This session will demonstrate the benefits of conducting a systemwide parks and facilities assessment. A systemwide assessment aids in determining what facilities/amenities you have, their condition, and whether future improvements are necessary, allowing you to plan for capital planning and improvements properly.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discover the process required to generate an assessment of your existing assets.
- Determine the benefits of the assessment in projecting capital improvements and executing an implementation plan.
917 - Solve Those Problems and Elevate Your Customer Experience
Roz and Jed Buck, Principals, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting
We all try to provide an excellent customer service experience 100% of the time. Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go as planned. At that crucial customer experience moment, we can either lose a customer forever or turn them into a raving fan by solving their problem with compassion and empathy. This session provides a specific, easy-to-remember strategy for you and your team to use every time you want to eliminate your customers’ frustrations, meet their needs, and ultimately exceed their expectations as you effectively solve their problems. You will learn the strategy, practice it, and take away a step-by-step cue card to help you implement it with your team.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recall the the importance of effectively solving customer problems.
- Use and explain the “solve those problems” (STP) strategy for addressing and resolving customer complaints.
1013 - Where Are You in the DEI Process?
Tracey Crawford, Executive Director, NWSRA; Oralethea Davenport, Irwin Community Center Manager, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District; Jonelle Bailey, Executive Director, Sycamore Park District
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential for the health and well-being of communities. In addition, DEI programming and training assist with providing a rounded, more inclusive culture for employees and the communities they serve. Determining where to start with DEI initiatives within your organization can be challenging. This session will help you determine where you are in the DEI process and provide some examples of where you could start.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how to get started and where to begin on the DEI journey.
- Understand how and when to build your DEI task force.
- Learn how to engage your board in your DEI efforts.
Friday 28 Jan 2022
8:30 am
12 - Golden Shovels, Red Ribbons, and Debt
Jamie Sabbach, President & CEO, 110% Inc.
Maintenance backlogs are of concern across the country due to significant building and development when times were good, with less attention given to paying for the ongoing maintenance required to care for assets over their lifespans. Emerging park and recreation organizations know the maintenance requirements necessary to take care of their current assets. They know that trading short-term growth and the “bright, shiny new object” for long-term liabilities slowly and silently can bankrupt their communities. Who wants that?
Learning Outcomes:
- Review and analyze examples of park and recreation organizations that are currently working to understand their deferred maintenance and backlog.
- Review and assess opportunities to ensure proper investment practices and policies that support taking care of infrastructure throughout their lifespans.
103 - Common Sense (but Not Common) Customer Service
Eileen Soisson, President, The Meeting Institute
This customer service session will address common sense skills that are highly needed within parks and recreation agencies. This session is a great refresher for seasoned staff, supervisors looking to enhance their customer service training, or professionals new to the field. We will define customer service and identify ways service has changed since the pandemic. Participants will walk away with five key steps of service that can be applied to any position or department to provide more consistent service. This information may sound like common sense, but if customer service was such common sense, then why is it not more common?
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify five key steps of service.
- Discuss common sense customer service skills that need to be employed more often.
105 - 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 effective 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! As a former park board secretary and a current park board commissioner, practical experience on both sides of the table will be shared with an engaging, insightful, and lighthearted approach. This session is just what you need to acquire new skills and energize yourself for a successful board tenure!
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify tactics they would like to employ in your Boardmanship.
- Gain a renewed energy and enthusiasm in a leadership role.
110 - Legal/Legislative, Part I
Jason Anselment, Legal 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 meetings, investment policies, and grants will be discussed, along with other statutory changes that may affect 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 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 these changes will affect the operation of your agency.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand recent legal changes and other developments that affect your agency’s operations.
- Determine how to adapt to the requirements of new laws while following best practices.
127 - 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:
- 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.
129 - Is Your Staff Hiring a Walk in the Park or an Obstacle Course?
Jennifer Dunn, Partner, Franczek P.C.; Tracey Truesdale, Partner, Franczek P.C.
In this session, Franczek attorneys Jennifer Dunn and Tracey Truesdale will discuss hiring best practices and legal limitations, including the use of criminal background checks and the “statutory six,” drug testing and applicant marijuana use, interview do’s and don’ts, and issues unique to seasonal employment. Our presenters will cover what you need to know to successfully recruit for 2022 and beyond.
Learning Outcomes:
- Effectively recruit candidates and assess qualifications.
- Appropriately assess and respond to impediments to specific hires, including criminal history and recreational drug use.
206 - Ready to Act on Climate Change?
Kara Dudek, Park Planner, Urbana Park District; Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager, Urbana Park District
Talking about climate change is an essential first step in making an impact. Find out why, and see the Urbana Park District’s new Climate Action, Resilience, Education, and Sustainability (CARES) Plan! Learn how the CARES Plan was created and how you can replicate this process in your community. Then, examine the plan and determine how it has been implemented so far. Your questions will be welcomed throughout the session.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the importance of communicating about climate change.
- Replicate the CARES Plan development process to create your agency’s climate action plan.
212 - Time to Change? Developing a Destination Splash Park Versus Renovating Your Municipal Pool
Joseph Brusseau, Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Eric Hornig, Principal, Hitchcock Design Group; Tim Girmscheid, Manager of Planning Services, Waukegan Park District
Many municipalities are faced with the sobering reality regarding the development and operational costs of renovating and maintaining multiple municipal pools. A current trend in the market for municipalities and park districts with multiple pools is to create a destination splash park. This session will address the benefits of developing a destination splash park in lieu of renovating the municipal pool, including increased bather load, lower staffing, lower operational costs, an extended season, and the opportunity to increase revenue through rentals and special events.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the benefits of developing a destination splash park versus renovating a municipal pool.
- Understand the construction and operational costs, budgeting, scheduling, and permitting requirements for this type of project.
- Understand secondary treatment options to control waterborne illnesses, applicable health codes, permit requirements, maintenance requirements, sustainability options, and available control and mechanical systems.
307 - Current Trends in the Municipal Bond Market: How Illinois Park Districts Are Funding Capital Needs
Tom Reedy, Director, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.; Anthony Miceli, Senior Vice President/Director, Speer Financial, Inc.
This session presents an overview of the bond issuance process for Illinois park districts, including a discussion on borrowing alternatives and sale methods, recent trends in the interest-rate markets, recent trends in financing by Illinois park districts, and an update on potential upcoming regulatory changes.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the available options and methods for issuing bonds for Illinois park districts.
- Better plan for upcoming financings in their respective park districts.
316 - Motivating Your Staff: How to Build a Recognition Program that Inspires
Ruby Newell-Legner, Certified Speaking Professional, 7 Star Service
Are you looking for new ways to motivate your staff? In this session, Ruby will offer successful examples of how she helped the San Antonio Spurs and Tampa Bay Lightning design an employee recognition program to enhance the guest experience at the AT&T Center and Tampa Bay Times Forum. Use their framework to reinforce the desired behavior for staff and give employees the feedback they need to excel.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify what criteria constitute rewardable behavior or actions and discuss rewards that do not require funding.
- Summarize and outline a checklist for developing your recognition program.
407 - Marketing Best Practices for Non Marketers: Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Recreation (the Sequel)
Mike Terson, Superintendent of Communications and Marketing, Buffalo Grove Park District; Stephanie FitzSimons, Marketing Manager, Bartlett Park District; Katie Drum, Marketing Coordinator, DeKalb Park District; Marlon Rodas, Marketing and Communications Manager, Wilmette Park District
This 2019 session was very well received, with many wanting a next-level continuation. Therefore, we are picking up where it left off. Our marketing departments continue to grow with constant changes in technology and social media and overall branding and sponsorship needs. Gone are the days of the tech-savvy recreation supervisor handling the brochure or website. As the parks and recreation marketing field evolves, a disconnect can often increase between the recreation department’s needs and the marketing department’s best practices. Join our panel of veteran marketing professionals who will share their experiences, answer questions, and provide ideas and solutions to help your agency create synergy between the two departments. Bring your stories of challenges and frustration. This panel will help recreation professionals better understand the minds of marketing people and how to leverage their expertise for better results.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand best practices to better market recreational programs and events.
- Work more efficiently and harmoniously with the marketing staff.
417 - “Value-ocity” – Minimizing Costs, Maximizing Efficiency
Dan Reamer, Physical Instructor, Chicago Park District; Heather Smith-Umrani, Playground Supervisor, Chicago Park District; Juliana Escutia, Physical Instructor, Chicago Park District
This session will focus on creating and adding value to recreational activities, programs, and leagues. Programmers will be exposed to a variety of programs that are cost-effective and provide quality instruction. Value creation strategies for leagues will be discussed along with less organized activities. The background will be given on the presenters’ diverse experiences in value-adding inner-city recreation. Participants will also learn how to assess the value of their programs, activities, and leagues. A group activity will be conducted where groups receive a mock program with a set price. They will have to work backward to produce activities to create the most value. A debrief will follow in which groups will share their ideas as an opportunity for debate and peer learning.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify materials and concepts that add or create value for recreational programs.
- Effectively manage facilities, leagues, and programs with the intent of creating or adding the most value.
507 - Missing the Mark: The Recreational Needs of Veterans and How to Serve Those Who Served
Kacie Jankowski, Recreation Therapist, Edward Hines JR VA Hospital; Rachel Gill, CTRS, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
How can park districts and special recreation agencies (SRAs) leverage resources to meet the recreational and creative arts needs of veterans in their communities? This session will provide inside knowledge from recreational professionals from the Department of Veteran Affairs who will equip you with the right tools to create and manage veteran-centered programming effectively. Identify untapped resources that promote enrollment and keep program fees equitable and profitable. Finally, understand the influence that interagency collaboration has on successfully serving those who have served our country.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the social and emotional needs of veterans.
- Learn the types of community-based recreational programming that will meet their needs.
- Evaluate how well your agency serves veterans in your community through an agency report card.
- Identify at least three untapped resources that support enrollment for veteran-centered recreational programs.
606 - Essentials of Project Management
Andrew Dogan, Principal / Sr. Project Manager, Williams Architects / Aquatics
This session will introduce streamlined, efficient, and easily scaled processes to manage any task or project within your agency by applying a five-step approach that ensures successful completion of a project of any type: capital, programming, process, or otherwise. The session will include real-life examples of project management planning and implementation for common project types completed by park and recreation agencies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the essential steps and tasks in the process of managing a multi-step project or task.
- Apply proper processes and controls to manage resources, schedules, and budgets in a multistep project.
912 - People, Praise, Positivity
Gabriel Castillo, President/CEO, RecStar Consulting
The power of positive thinking cannot be understated. The best news about positivity is that it is a learnable quality. Are you ready to be more positive and ensure you have time to invest in your team? When you’re prepared to be more positive and give more praise to your team, there are quite a few ways you can do so. These tactics give you a variety of right places to start, whether you’re just beginning to learn how to be more positive at work or want to tune up your approaches. To carry a positive action, we must develop a positive vision—Dalai Lama.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the three powers of positivity.
- Identify five negative habits to avoid when giving feedback.
- Identify ways to provide feedback that inspires, uplifts, and motivates your employees.
1011 - Small Park District, Big Successes!
Lonette Hall, Executive Director, Maywood Park District; Kendall Parrott, Executive Director, Riverdale Park District; Nathaniel Booker, Village Trustee, Village of Maywood
Delegates will have an open roundtable discussion on the successes and challenges of small recreational agencies. In addition, there will be a discussion on the creativity and delivery of quality and quantifiable success, which have had a significant effect on the quality of life within communities. This session is a unique opportunity to share ideas and techniques based on community needs and resources.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop strategies for community and fellow agency collaborations.
- Develop strategies and linkages for shared resources.
10:00 am
13 - Breaking Away from the Herd
Jamie Sabbach, President & CEO, 110% Inc.
Because no organization can fulfill the burden of offering “something for everyone,” it is important that today’s systems analyze the community’s most critical needs, followed by operational methods and service offerings. These fundamentals allow for discovering the best and most responsible ways to serve the community, spending and investing taxpayer resources so that what is truly essential is no longer compromised in favor of what is popular or discretionary, and ensuring that you are not simply following the herd.
Learning Outcomes:
- Review and analyze management practices, such as certain types of benchmarking, that have created unnecessary complications for public parks and recreation.
- Describe and identify circumstances and instances where courage and ethical decision-making can set the stage for improvements in the responsible management and oversight of parks and recreation organizations.
108 - Girl Power IV: Growing Your Confidence
Carrie 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 popular "Girl Power" session. Our seasoned panel of industry executives will focus on growing your confidence in the workplace. We will also discuss ways to share your ideas when meeting with your boss or co-workers. Don’t miss this opportunity to “Power Up.”
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn ways to improve your confidence at work.
- Identify some of the best ways to boost your knowledge.
111 - Legal/Legislative, Part II
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Review the many new laws, regulations, court decisions, and PAC opinions of 2021 with top legal experts. We will explain how the important new laws work and what your agency needs to do to maintain legal compliance.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about a wide range of new laws, including changes to OMA/FOIA, employment law, property and construction, election law, public investment/finance, and COVID.
- Receive expert practical advice on how to maintain compliance with the changes in the law.
119 - Sexual Harassment: Tips for Prevention and Handling
Andrew Keyt, Partner, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen; Emma Ray, Associate, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
This presentation will identify sexual harassment in the workplace and how public employers can limit or avoid this type of liability. We will discuss implementing policies and procedures to address sexual harassment and provide practical tips to mitigate liability. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion with hypothetical scenarios. Attendees will better understand the type of sexual harassment occurring in the workplace today and how to handle difficult sexual harassment situations.
Learning Outcomes:
- Impart practical prevention procedures into the park district.
- Handle basic claims of harassment.
123 - The Culture Code: Creating Healthy Relationships Between Executive Directors and the Board of Commissioners
Derke Price, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink, PC
There is no more critical employee of the park district than the executive director. This session will explore the fundamentals of the relationship between the executive director position and statutory offices of the commissioners and offer recommendations for healthy and successful relationships in pursuit of the park district’s mission.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the respective roles and how that understanding can help set the expectations for performance and the potential for successful outcomes.
- Review strategies for performance reviews on the many facets of the executive director’s job and assess compensation considerations.
207 - Repurposed and Unexpected Parks and Rec – When Space is Limited, Where Can Communities Play?
Raine Gardner, PE, Senior Project Engineer | P&R Discipline Lead, MSA Professional Services; Shannon Gapp, AICP, Planner, MSA Professional Services
As available land becomes scarce and budgets continue to shrink, the development of parks becomes increasingly challenging. In high-density urban areas where infill development is prevalent, it can be nearly impossible to find any open space at all. Yet, park space is essential, and communities across the country recognize new and innovative opportunities to deliver parks that fit within any size of footprint or budget. From pocket parks to pop-up plazas, collaborations with private entities, or the repurposing of nonpark-related facilities, there are various ways to reassess and repurpose public spaces to create inclusive, equitable, and adaptable destinations in our ever-changing environment. Join Raine Gardner, PE, and Shannon Gapp, AICP, on a journey of exploration and discovery, with ideas about transforming overlooked public spaces into public centerpieces enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
Learning Outcomes:
- See examples of the types of parks and recreational amenities that can be integrated into small and large open/community spaces and the benefits these amenities can provide.
- Learn how to be more inclusive in planning for parks.
210 - Mosquitoes, Ticks and Things that Itch: Protecting Public Health and Comfort in Natural Areas
Emily Glasberg, Key Accounts Manager / Entomologist, Clarke Mosquito
This session will provide an overview of community mosquito control and highlight opportunities for park districts to become involved in protecting public health at parks and facilities. Mosquito biology, disease vectors, larval and adult mosquito control methods, green mosquito control products, and examples of existing park programs focusing on both public health and comfort will be covered. Tick control methods will also be discussed.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the fundamentals of mosquito biology, diseases, and control methods.
- Learn how park districts can protect citizens from mosquitoes and other disease vectors, reduce exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses, and create a more comfortable environment for events, sports, camping, and other recreational activities through program implementation and education.
309 - Employee Engagement Comes Before Customer Engagement
Ruby Newell-Legner, Certified Speaking Professional, 7 Star Service
Is your organization relentlessly pursuing innovation, technological advancements, and best practices to enhance the guest experience? How about investing in these for your internal customers – your employees who represent you and your brand every day? Helping employees apply their talents in their roles is just a first step on the road to your company’s continuous improvement. In the long run, choosing the right way to onboard and train your employees can bring them up to speed faster and make them more successful.
Learning Outcomes:
- Generate an outline with the key requirements in a successful onboarding for new employees.
- Formulate how to design and deliver staff development sessions that inspire and teach skills to succeed.
315 - Managing Performance-Based Pay Amidst a Pandemic
Kathryn O’Connor, Director, Compensation Services, HR Source
In 1975, “pay for performance” was introduced to the world of compensation. Over 45 years later, organizations struggle to make this process more effective, especially during and after the pandemic. This session will focus on the critical elements of a performance pay model and discuss ways to improve an existing performance-based compensation system. Particular emphasis will be placed on pay-range administration, performance evaluation tools, linking employee performance to merit increases, and special considerations for tough economic times.
Learning Outcomes:
- Determine what competencies to include in employee performance evaluations.
- Link performance to pay increases.
416 - Senior Smorgasbord and Active Adult Tidbits
Mary Stallings, Adult Activities Center Manager, Dundee Township Park District; Teresa Grodsky, Retired Adult Activity Coordinator
Step up and sample some great things on the menu, from appetizers and main courses to desserts. Whether you are new or a “seasoned” staff member, there will be something for everyone: program ideas, trip ideas, day and overnight and basic morsels of the ins and outs of daily life at our senior centers and their happenings. This session will be catering to programs with participants ages 50 and over, from boomers to less active adults.
Learning Outcomes:
- Obtain a wide variety of programs and events for older adults.
- Evaluate your program and what works best for you.
- Learn the importance of networking in the senior world.
418 - Deal Me In: Impactful Training Activities with Only a Deck of Cards
Roz and Jed Buck, Principals, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting
A simple deck of cards. It is small, light, and easy to carry. With the right set of activities, you can use this everyday prop to create meaningful icebreakers and impactful training activities for your full-time team or seasonal staff members.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recall effective exercises that convey important messages to staff or volunteers.
- List icebreakers and debriefs to use with staff or volunteers.
509 - The Trauma-Informed Professional
Karla Belzer, Family Life Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Becoming “trauma-informed” means recognizing that people often have many different types of trauma in their lives. People who have been traumatized need support and understanding from those around them, including recreation professionals. Often, trauma survivors can be retraumatized by well-meaning caregivers and community service providers. The Illinois Trauma-Informed Care Approach project seeks to educate communities about the effects of trauma on clients, coworkers, friends, family, and ourselves. Understanding the influence of trauma is an essential first step in becoming a compassionate and supportive professional. This session will provide participants with a shared understanding and language of trauma, awareness of the prevalence of trauma, and a shift in thinking to become more trauma-informed and aware.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define trauma, including the shared language and understanding of trauma.
- Develop an awareness of the prevalence of trauma.
- Identify strategies to shift thinking to become more trauma-informed/aware.
610 - The Benefits of Green Roofs in Sustainable Developments
Mike Remington, President, INSPEC, INC.
Vegetated roofs, also called green roofs, can provide numerous environmental and economic benefits. These benefits include reducing the amount of stormwater runoff, improving the quality of stormwater runoff, improving energy conservation, increasing the life span of roofing membranes, improving aesthetics, providing biodiversity and habitat, and even reducing air and noise pollution! This presentation will provide an overview of the main types of vegetated roofs, how they can provide these benefits, and some potential drawbacks to be aware of. Attendees will learn the basics of vegetated roofs to be better prepared to respond to and discuss these issues if their organization is considering installing a “Green Roof.”
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain a basic understanding of the types of green roofs and differences in design for a better overall understanding of these systems.
- Use the information provided to determine whether this type of design would be beneficial to your facility.
- Gain general information on costs and the benefits and issues related to green roofs to aid in explanations to board members and for better promotion to the community at large.
907 - Marketing with a Tiny Team and Budget
Sarah Noel Block, CEO and Head of Marketing Strategy, Tiny Marketing by Sarah Noel Block
Small teams struggle with marketing, not because they don’t see its value, but because they don’t have the resources. In this session, I will teach you how to prioritize, build systems, and use automation tools to increase your marketing results by 10x. I will also teach you how to consistently show up for your audience, build trust, and convert traffic to customers – all with a small budget and team.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how to repurpose content to maximize your marketing production.
- Drive more impressions and engagement with your marketing to get the biggest impact with your time.
911 - Marketing and Communications Roundtable
Sheri Potter, Marketing and Special Events Supervisor, Warrenville Park District; Marlon Rodas, Marketing and Communications Manager, Wilmette Park District; Katie Garrett, Marketing & Digital Communications Manager, Fox Valley Park District
Marketing and communications professionals, join with your industry colleagues to talk through the hot topics of parks and recreation marketing. Roundtable discussion topics will be diverse and cover everything: photography, graphic design, branding, internal/external communications, special events, programming, and just about anything else relating to your everyday task list.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss the hot marketing topics of the day and find creative solutions to problems.
- Learn more about how other agencies are implementing marketing and communication procedures and policies.
1012 - Equity in Parks: The Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
Samose Mays, Director, Bryan County Parks and Recreation
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace can cause employees to feel accepted and valued. When employees feel accepted and valued, they are happier in the workplace and stay longer with an agency. As a result, agencies with greater diversity in the workplace have lower turnover rates and greater retention. This presentation highlights benefits that develop when recreational agencies employ a diverse team of individuals. Participants will learn how to promote diversity in hiring and practice inclusion on a day-to-day basis.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
- Apply the principles taught in this session to promote workplace diversity at your agency.
1:00 pm
17 - Congrats – You’re a Full-Time Supervisor!
Dannielle Wilson, Senior Consultant, BerryDunn; Elsa Fischer, Senior Consultant, BerryDunn
You’ve worked hard and been rewarded for it, so now what? Managing a team of your peers for the first time can be intimidating, but it does not have to be! Join us to learn how to align your team’s goals with the agency’s vision, the art of “managing up,” and how to mentor and support the professional development of full-time leaders. We’ll share tips and tricks as well as pitfalls to avoid. Learn what it means to be a mid-level leader and how to navigate this new territory of managing others.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explore the concept of strategic visioning.
- Create a multilayer professional development action plan.
318 - Planning and Preparing for Grant Submissions
Carissa Smith, Engineer, Gewalt-Hamilton Associates, Inc.; Greg Petry, Owner, Greg Petry Consulting LLC
Be ready when grants are announced. Time is of the essence. This session will uncover the essential information necessary to make your pitch for justifying a grant award. Be prepared and shovel-ready!
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the essential benchmarks that support needing the grant.
- Identify the key steps, messages, and documentation for a successful grant applications.
422 - Everybody Plays: A Best Practice Guide to Multigenerational 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 that we’re designing these communities for our future selves. According to the World Health Organization, by 2050, 2 billion people will be over 60. Everybody Plays takes a look at the evolution of the aging population and age-integration trends. Specifically, we will examine how intentionally designed parks contribute to healthy lifestyles (physically and mentally), keep users engaged in society, reduce isolation in older adults, meet the needs of younger children, and provide engagement at all stages. 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, combat ageist beliefs, and most importantly, allow everybody to play.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the necessity of intergenerational spaces and their importance in all communities as our population ages, and how we can offer shared sites as a solution to ageist beliefs and promote active contribution opportunities.
- Articulate best-practice design elements to support users of all ages to use every park space, focusing on fitness experience, nature engagement, playable art, and functional facilities.
- Understand how to best support users as they engage with their little ones in the play space.
503 - Developing Your Professional Self
Heather Specht, Superintendent of Recreation, SSSRA; Annie Heart, Superintendent of Safety and Operations, West Suburban Special Recreation Association; Ryan Massengill, Superintendent of Recreation, Gateway Special Recreation Association
Is your goal to be promoted or become a superintendent of recreation? This session is for professionals looking to advance in the therapeutic recreation field and seeking advice on developing their professional selves and leadership styles. Five superintendents from various special recreation associations will discuss their career paths and how they earned their current positions; offer suggestions about professionalism, leadership, and interviews; and answer any questions you may have.
Learning Outcomes:
- Reflect on your leadership style and determine what type of professional you want to become in your career.
- Learn the key traits that a hiring supervisor seeks and how to become the best candidate to be promoted.
613 - Park District Contracting for Use of Facilities
Andrew Keyt, Partner, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen; James Rooney, Associate, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
The session will focus on contracts related to using park facilities (party rooms, gymnasiums, pools, etc.) and the best practices for reducing liability issues associated with using these facilities.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the basic contract issues related to using park district property.
- Limit liability concerns related to using park district property.
616 - Facility and Park Maintenance Roundtable
Erin Chapa, Superintendent of Facilities, Schaumburg Park District; Todd King, Director of Parks & Planning, Schaumburg Park District; Tom Pope, Superintendent of Parks, River Trails Park District
If you are looking to discuss current trends, pain points, hardships, and other topics in the world of parks and facilities maintenance, join your colleagues for a lively discussion at this timely and relevant roundtable. Bring your questions, ideas, and any challenges you face at your district for the group to discuss and help problem-solve.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss current electrical equipment trends, labor shortages, pool maintenance, energy grants, cleaning contracts in the world of COVID-19, dog parks, and synthetic field replacements.
- Gain resources and ideas, and crowdsource advice and solutions to your district current challenges.
916 - Effective Social Media
Tracy Lillard, Statewide Social Media Coordinator, Illinois State Police
Social media helps humanize police departments by allowing the police force to connect and converse with the public; more importantly, it provides a platform for police officers to share multiple types of information quickly. Sergeant Tracy Lillard will show several ways she employs social media, including examples for other agencies, such as fire departments, school districts, park districts, and weather services. The most effective technique is using humor. With her quick wit, and her use of photos, and interesting hashtags and conversation starters she has grown her social media following to several hundred thousand and has created a new understanding from the community about police officers and the Illinois State Police. She can help you see a new way to communicate to the public using social media.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how to use social media effectively to educate the public, quickly provide emergency information to the masses, and showcase what your agency is doing.
- Employ your agency/department’s social media platforms to gain followers.
- Learn how social media can be effective in relating to the public and be a great resource for citizens, first responders, and news outlets.
- Use tools to aid your agency in using better content, making social media a great educational resource.
1007 - Democratizing Parks through Arts and Culture
Meida McNeal, Arts & Culture Manager, Chicago Park District; Latham Zearfoss, Cultural Liaison, Chicago Park District; Patsy Diaz, Program & Event Coordinator, Chicago Park District
This session will present three working models for engaging unique communities, particularly those excluded or disenfranchised from public spaces (or simply felt). These groups include community-based artists in under-resourced areas and queer and trans youth of color, among others. The Chicago Park District spaces and resources were activated by these communities through collaborative programs that share decision-making between administrators and community members. In the second half of this session, we will offer attendees a workshop with a series of practical tools to adapt one of these three models to suit their unique cultural, geographic, and civic contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
- Leave with new methods for increasing community engagement, and expanding stakeholders, and an expanded toolkit to address issues of equity and inclusion.
- Develop a plan of action to implement one of these three models inside of your regional park program.
3:45 pm
20 - Creating a Community Experience to Highlight Your Agency
Jodi Schultz, Triphahn Center Facility Manager, Hoffman Estates Park District; Jess Day, Recreation Supervisor, Village of South Elgin; Jennifer Sweeney, Superintendent of Recreation Programs & Facilities, Wheeling Park District; John Harris, Principal, a5 Branding & Digital; Isaiah Gransberry, Content Specialist, a5 Branding & Digital; Heather Weishaar, Communications & Marketing Director, IPRA
Learn how Illinois park and recreation agencies planned Unplug Illinois Day events through collaboration with other community groups, involving their staff, and planning calls coordinated by IPRA. Unplug Illinois Day is a great way to highlight the benefits parks and recreation brings to communities, including health and wellness opportunities, supporting economic development, protecting environmental resources, connecting youth to nature, and strengthening communities by making them livable and desirable. In this session, learn how IPRA members planned successful Unplug Illinois Day events to highlight the many opportunities at their park and recreation agency, and to focus attention on the importance of recreation and taking time to ‘unplug’!
Learning Outcomes:
- Effectively communicate the value provided to constituencies using the content in Unplug Illinois.
- Identify innovative tips, tricks, and strategies to plan Unplug Illinois Day events in their community.
106 - State Accreditation: A Blueprint for Excellence
Steve Eckleberry, Commissioner, Bartlett Park District; Mike Clark, Executive Director, Palatine Park District
State accreditation will be one of the greatest achievements your agency can take to improve your delivery systems, policies, and staff to provide excellence in park, recreation, and facility operations. This session will provide a blueprint of the process to become accredited through the state program and validate your dedication to your board, staff, and community at large.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the application and self-assessment processes to begin the journey to becoming an accredited agency in the Illinois Joint Distinguished Park and Recreation Accreditation Program.
- Learn the mentor program to assist your agency toward accreditation the entire way.
- Be able to identify the areas of policy, procedure, and documentation of evidence for all legal, general management, finance and business operations, parks and facilities, and personnel and recreation services facets of the organization to meet the required standards.
113 - Boardmanship, Part I
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
This lively session provides commissioners with practical, real-world information to conduct safe, effective, lawful, and professional meetings. We will discuss specific, real-world public meeting issues, how rules were/were not applied, and what happened. Problems with public participation, Roberts Rules of Order, voting, the closing of meetings, and commissioners on cell phones will be explored. We will discuss essential tips for shorter, more effective, and enjoyable board meetings.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize potential board meeting problems before it’s too late.
- Implement procedures that promote efficient, professional, and lawful board meetings.
- Ensure equitable participation and avoid single commissioner dominance.
- Use the rules to accomplish the objectives.
- Avoid the legal and political risks of unlawful electronic communication.
117 - From Crowd Control to Errant Elected Officials – Best Practices for Public Meetings
Andrew Paine, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This presentation will discuss the best practices for public meetings, including the requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the pitfalls of the use of electronic communications, what should be on the agenda, what can or should be discussed in a closed session, and the mechanics of a closed session.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the pitfalls of the use of electronic communication and social media.
- Understand when and how to properly use closed sessions.
122 - Lumber is Expensive: Successful Park District Referendum Strategy
Adam Simon, Partner, Ancel Glink; Aaron Gold, Assistant Vice President, Speer Financial, Inc.; Leon Younger, Founder and President, PROS Consulting
With the supply chain in tatters and construction materials more expensive than ever, completing a capital project will probably require a referendum to allow your agency to borrow money. This session explores the successful referendum campaign from the community survey to election day.
Learning Outcomes:
- Determine which projects are more likely to be successful when asking voters to approve new taxes.
- Understand how public bodies are allowed to support referendum campaigns without violating state election and ethics laws.
135 - Understanding Your IMRF Benefits
Randy Stevens, IMRF Field Representative, IMRF
Are you interested in learning about your IMRF benefits? This seminar will cover IMRF benefits and the popular Voluntary Additional Contributions program.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the four different benefits that are part of IMRF.
- Learn about the Voluntary Additional Contributions program.
137 - Read Beyond the Beaten Path: Parks and Libraries Collaborating on Summer Reading
Diane Foote, Executive Director, Illinois Library Association/iREAD; Becca Boland, Supervisor of Advisory Services, Skokie Public Library; Amber Creger, Youth Department Director, Schaumburg Township District Library
Parks and libraries serve the same populations, and it is in the community’s interest to leverage our respective strengths to deliver the highest level of service. Illinois’ iREAD summer reading program is an initiative of the 501(c)3 Illinois Library Association, intended to help local libraries address the “summer reading gap” when students are out of school and offer compelling summer programming for adults. The 2022 iREAD tagline is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” with a camp theme that is ideally suited for partnership with parks and camps. Learn how to partner with your local library and deliver fun and educational programs in the summer of 2022 and beyond.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the value of summer reading, and its worth as a potential component for summer programming at parks and camps.
- Collaborate effectively and successfully with other community partners involved in summer reading programs, including local public libraries.
- Identify to whom to speak, what each entity brings to the table, and the potential pitfalls and rewards.
204 - Pavement Design, Pavement Assessment, and Maintenance Planning
Michael Shrake, CEO, Gewalt Hamilton Associates; Thomas Rychlik, Senior Engineer, Gewalt Hamilton Associates; Dave Marquardt, Assistant Director Construction & Survey Division, Gewalt Hamilton Associates
Park district operations are faced with a sizable amount of asphalt surface to keep in working order, spread much further around the town than most municipal districts, second only to the town’s public works department. Forewarned is forearmed. Understanding the nature of asphalt pavement and when to maintain it by which method will grant the park staff a means to efficiently keep the paved surfaces in their district optimal.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain an understanding of asphalt pavement design and construction techniques used in Illinois by engineering and construction crews.
- Gaining an understanding of the remaining life of the pavement and planning for regular maintenance will give operations staff the tools to budget appropriately for the surfaces in their districts.
303 - Conducting Employment Investigations
Kathryn Hartrick, Founder & Principal, Hartrick Employment Law, LLC
This session will present a practical discussion on how to conduct an employment-related investigation. The session will focus on walking participants through a case scenario. The scenario and discussion will include the following issues: harassment, social media, email, disability, performance management and discipline, credibility assessment, and employee handbook policy. Templates will be provided. You will learn best practices in addressing and responding to complex employee relations and workplace issues.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify key issues for planning a successful investigation.
- Conduct interviews, document the investigation, and act on the investigation findings.
313 - Investing 101: Best Practices for Park Districts
Michelle Binns, Senior Managing Consultant, PFM Asset Management; Matt Hanigan, Senior Managing Consultant, PFM Asset Management
Park districts come in all different shapes and sizes, which means each district requires different levels of complexity and objectives in its investment program. However, one fact that holds for all park districts, regardless of size, is that district officials have a fiduciary duty in managing their district’s funds. A fully developed investment program allows officials to effectively set policy, make informed decisions and safeguard taxpayer dollars. In this session, we will detail the best practices and key steps to take to ensure your investment program is optimized and aligned with your district’s investment objectives and cash flow requirements. This presentation will include an economic update and review available investment options to safely maximize investment income in a low interest-rate environment.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the key components of a successful cash and investment program.
- Learn how the current interest-rate environment can affect your strategy now and going forward.
419 - Exciting and Impactful Activities to Maximize Any Staff Training
Roz and Jed Buck, Principals, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting
“To hear is to forget, to see is to remember, to do is to learn.” Training staff is critical to the success of every program. Staff members are responsible for the safety and well-being of participants and are charged with ensuring programs are both safe and exceptional for everyone. At this highly interactive session, we will demonstrate a variety of activities that can be used in any staff training to maximize staff learning and retention and create an outstanding experience. Attendees will participate in a wide range of activities to help improve the effectiveness of all staff training.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain why it is important to include experiential activities as part of staff training.
- Recall a variety of activities that can be incorporated into any staff training to increase effectiveness.
420 - How to Make Live Music the Pulse of Your Park District
Mike Wilcott, Amphitheater General Manager, Decatur Park District; Jamie Gower, Director of Recreation, Decatur Park District; Karalee Misner, Marketing Director, Decatur Park District; Casey Blakeley, Owner/Talent Buyer, Grandstand Concerts; Melanie Schelling, Agent, State Farm Insurance
Learn how live music and performances can be successful and profitable for your community.
Learning Outcomes:
- Take away information that will help determine how to book desirable talent that can draw audiences.
- Learn how to develop a desirable area to host concert events efficiently.
504 - Selling Self-Regulation and Mental Health: Social/Emotional Learning Through Music and Movement
Alyssa Stone, Clinical Director, Dynamic Lynks
With the needs of therapists and children changing after this challenging year, we realize now more than ever how vital a social-emotional approach is to development, learning, and socializing. Attendees will learn techniques and strategies to effectively integrate social/emotional learning into the daily curriculum through FUNctional music and movement activities! In this presentation, attendees will explore music and movement activities to improve various emotional and social skills and sell participants on embracing them. Goal areas addressed through the activities will be discussed for each of the presented interventions. Attendees will have an opportunity to actively participate in several discussed activities and comment on ways to elaborate or adapt them. Exploring new social/emotional learning strategies is a fantastic way to think outside of the box and reach every individual that enters your space!
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn new activities for social/emotional learning demonstrated through interactive conversation with the presenter.
- Create original social and emotional development activities assessed by presenting an original SEL activity through a small group.
604 - Developing your Aquatic EAPs: Essential Aquatic Philosophies
George Deines, Studio Director, Counsilman-Hunsaker
When most aquatic operators discuss their EAPs, it’s their emergency action plans. While the traditional EAP is critical to the success of any aquatics operation, the essential aquatic philosophies by which aquatic facilities are run are just as important! This session will detail philosophies that pertain to aquatics personnel, safety, supervision, service, and operations to educate and inspire attendees to have a well-thought-out management philosophy for aquatics.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define the key aquatic philosophies for managing your aquatic facility.
- Determine the best philosophical approach to managing team members to keep them performing well.
910 - Mic Check: The Podcast Experience and the Ever-Changing Landscape of Virtual Marketing
Marissa Moravec, Recreation Supervisor, Mundelein Park and Recreation District; Mark Dolphin, Athletic Manager, Wheaton Park District; JP McNamara, Community Outreach Coordinator, Palatine Park District
This isn’t your traditional marketing session. It is an in-depth look at how to start a podcast, different styles to communicate your message to the community, and first-hand accounts of creating a podcast and how to succeed. This session also provides an on-site demonstration of the gear you’ll need and how to find your podcasting voice, as well as a panel discussion on important industry topics.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn to increase the exposure of programs and events using virtual marketing in your community.
- Find the confidence to start your own podcast for your agency.
1005 - Finding Your Community and Helping Others Find Theirs
Jan Hincapie, Retired Parks and Recreation Director
What is community? It is a group of people with common characteristics or interests living together within a society. Did you know that 61% of Americans said they were lonely in 2019, even before the pandemic? This statistic is up from 54% in 2018. What can we, as parks and recreation professionals, do to address this shocking statistic? Learn the importance of finding a community, barriers to finding a community, why in-person communities are better than those online, and how you can help others combat loneliness and find “their people.” You will also hear about some communities that work and how you might establish a call to action for the people you serve.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the meaning of community and seven barriers that get in the way of people finding community.
- Learn 12 places to create or find a community, 15 benefits of finding a community, and why face-to-face is better than online.
Saturday 29 Jan 2022
10:30 am
14 - Cultivating Agency Success Through Strategic Collaboration
Alex Engelhardt, Executive Director, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association; Jackie Salemi, Superintendent of Recreation, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association; Kris Johnson, Associate Professor of Therapeutic Recreation, Aurora University
How can I create a culture of leadership? How can I grow the hiring pipeline? How can I provide more to the community without straining the staff? How can I help my agency stand out among the rest? If you have recently asked yourself one of these questions, listen up because we have an innovative solution to answer all of these questions and more! FVSRA and Aurora University have teamed up with an award-winning collaborative that is a true win-win, and we’d like to help you start one, too. This session will provide an overview of the collaboration, identify outcomes from our constituents, agency staff, university, and future professionals, and offer a toolkit to easily model this at your agency.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the key components of a successful collaboration and identify the outcomes to be expected at your agency.
- Use the toolkit for immediate implementation of your interagency collaboration.
104 - Social Media and Electronic Communications for the Candidate and Elected Official
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Electronic communications dominate our world, and many special rules exist that all candidates and elected officials must know. This session will explore the legal regulations and risks to candidates and elected officials in using social media. Once elected, the commissioner must understand how OMA, FOIA, and the Local Records Act can obtain communications from your personal or agency-issued electronic devices. This session will explain the rules and give practical advice on how to navigate this complex world.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how the applicable laws and rules of the major social media platforms affect your political speech.
- Learn what your agency can and cannot do in regulating speech on agency social media.
- Learn how OMA, FOIA and the Local Records Act apply to your electronic communications.
- Be able to avoid exposure to civil and criminal liability when using social media and other forms of electronic communication.
120 - Complying with the Illinois Open Meetings Act
Andrew Keyt, Partner, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen; James Rooney, Associate, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
This presentation will discuss the basic requirements of the act. What constitutes a meeting? What are the pitfalls of using electronic communication? When is there a quorum? What should be on the agenda? What can or should be discussed in closed sessions? What are the mechanics of a closed session? We will also discuss the 2020 amendments. Takeaways include a greater awareness of the pitfalls of using electronic communications and understanding when and how to use closed sessions.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain a basic understanding of the overall requirements of the Open Meetings Act.
- Gain a working knowledge of closed sessions and understand the dangers of electronic communication.
126 - Better Board Meetings with Robert’s Rules
Barbara Rosi, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, National Association of Parliamentarians
Become more confident in using the parliamentary procedure as a presider or participant in board meetings. This session will cover the basics of what you need to know to make your meetings efficient and effective. Attendees will learn the importance of a quorum and agenda and work through the decision-making process of proposing/debating/voting on motions, emphasizing modification of rules for small boards.
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply knowledge of processing motions in decision-making.
- Gain competency in the understanding of rules for small boards.
132 - How Is That Possible? 30 Years Later, and We Still Make ADA Mistakes!
John McGovern, Principal-in-Charge, Accessibility Practice, The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became effective on January 26, 1992. Parks and recreation agencies have learned a lot about making programs inclusive and parks and facilities accessible in the last 30 years, but a peek at today’s enforcement activity shows that we still have a ways to go. This session reviews how the ADA is enforced and identifies five common ADA issues that arise in programs and policies and five common ADA issues in parks and facilities. We will review pragmatic and straightforward solutions to keep your parks and recreation agency off the online news feed. Bring your questions; we have answers!
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how the ADA is enforced in disputes regarding parks and recreation agencies and current enforcement trends.
- Identify key issues in recent disputes and apply them to home agency operations, evaluating how the agency would respond.
203 - Celebrating and Taking Care of Our Nature Preserves, Not Just an Ordinary Park!
Amy Doll, Director, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves; Christos Economou, Volunteer Steward, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves; Matt Evans, President, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves; Eriko Kojima, Volunteer Steward, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves; Emma Leavens, Volunteer Steward, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves; Stephanie Place, Volunteer Steward, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves
Illinois nature preserves are more than just open spaces in the park system. These are special places protected from development in perpetuity by state law because of their irreplaceable natural features and biodiversity. In the age of invasive species and climate change, nature preserves require specialized care to maintain these vital cultural resources. The mission of the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves is to ensure that all Illinois nature preserves maintain their rare and unique plants, animals, and natural communities in the future. We believe in a hyperlocal, work-learn-lead approach to land stewardship and will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nature preserve system by sharing this vision for taking care of nature preserves in your community with you. Learn how this approach can encourage powerful volunteer stewardship in your natural areas and result in a greater constituency for the nature preserves and your park system as a whole.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize the value of nature preserves in the community and how to leverage the statewide celebration to increase volunteer stewardship and grant funding for the care of nature preserves.
- Implement the work-learn-lead approach to stewardship for volunteer stewards of nature preserves, including finding resources for training, tools, and recruiting additional volunteers in communities.
305 - New Employment Rules and Laws Learned and Applied by Park Districts in a Post-Pandemic World
Britt Isaly, Attorney, Ancel Glink
While living through the COVID-19 disaster declaration in Illinois, park district executive directors have implemented difficult employment decisions regarding staffing, COVID testing, quarantining, and vaccine mandates. Even park district patrons have shouldered less-than-perfect COVID-related services and rules to avoid infection. Now, in 2022, we are fortunately closer to normal, but let’s learn what has worked for park districts and their boards during the 2020-2021 pandemic and what practices failed.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how to continue to make proper employment decisions for staff, including whether to mandate virus testing and vaccinations and policies for patrons as your district moves beyond the COVID pandemic.
- Learn how to avoid public liability against your park district while servicing the public post-COVID-19.
403 - Partnering With Your Local Schools to Bring Inclusive Nature Programs
Meghan Meredith, Recreation Supervisor/Naturalist, Park District of Highland Park; Mirela Vesa, Special Education Educator, North Shore School District 112
Build a bridge to connect your expertise in nature programming to your community school district. Foster a working relationship that brings your nature education programming and real-world science into classrooms. Use nature and environmental science to adapt to diverse learners and build programs that excite and engage. Come away with inclusion strategies and hands-on activities to use in your programs.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss how to market your nature center’s programs to your local school district and classroom teachers.
- Develop strategies and ideas on how to bring nature into their classrooms and school yards.
- Learn ways to adapt your programs to meet the needs of diverse learners, including strategies and hands-on activities to use in your programs.
414 - GTWO – Huh?
Amanda Schwichtenberg, Program Manager, West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department
Are you one of the many parks and recreation professionals who do not have a marketing background? It’s ok; you’re not alone. We all face the challenges of promoting our programs and departments, but what do you use to get the word out (GTWO) about the many great things you have to offer? In this session, you will be introduced to free, easy-to-use tools, such as Canva, Mailchimp, and Video Editor, that will help you create a professional-looking flyer and video. In addition, other tools, such as Youtube to MP3, Remove Background, and others, will be introduced to help you achieve the final product. If you are looking for new ways to GTWO about your programs, these tools will help you stand out.
Learning Outcomes:
- Use Canva to create a professional flyer.
- Discover tools, such as Background Remover and Photo Editor, to help manipulate photos and images for better promotion.
- Use Video Editor to create promotional videos. Understand the steps of capturing and editing video, as well as adding additional sound or music to videos.
511 - Be a Goal Getter
Bobbi Nance, President, Recreation Results
It may feel like the time for thinking about goals has already passed, but with the hecticness of the holidays and the pressure of New Year’s resolutions behind us, now is the perfect time to plot out a plan of attack for 2022. Through a series of guided exercises and discussions, take an hour to refocus on the year ahead, plot out and prioritize what you want to accomplish, and most importantly, start designing your plan of attack to ensure that you end the year not just as a goal setter but a goal getter.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and prioritize personal and professional goals that you want to focus on in the year ahead.
- List the key factors that lead to goal achievement and why writing SMART goals is not enough.
612 - Why? How? When? The Necessary Components to a Successful Referendum
Frank Parisi, Vice President/Managing Principal, Williams Architects/Aquatics; Jill Allread, CEO, Public Communications, Inc.
Deciding to pursue a referendum can be daunting, and how do you determine where to begin? We’ll guide you through the stepping stones (comprehensive plans, master plans, etc.) that are required to be in place years in advance. We’ll discuss how to help unite the community in a common goal and show how to ensure the public and district needs are met by engaging and informing the public to keep everyone on a positive wavelength.
Learning Outcomes:
- Ascertain the step-by-step process through community input, design, and public relations.
- Understand the importance of community engagement as a key factor for a successful referendum.
1008 - What’s in a Name?
Jeff Nehila, Executive Director, Deerfield Park District
The racial tensions in America in 2020 were not limited to big cities. In the sleepy little north shore suburb community of Deerfield, a movement to rename a park due to allegations of racial injustice garnered local and regional support. Learn how the Deerfield Park District addressed hundreds of requests and demands to rename a park. The park was named after a park board president who led the park district in 1959 during a highly debated acquisition of property for parkland that was initially planned for an integrated residential subdivision.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about creating a citizen advisory committee to help develop recommendations on addressing a highly contested issue.
- Understand how educating and informing persons who are willing to listen and learn may be overshadowed by persons who are adamant in setting a course for reparation and justice.
- Learn that solutions do not always end in harmonious outcomes. Despite numerous actions and remedies initiated or completed in response to a societal debate, an additional set of issues may arise.
12:30 pm
22 - Leadership Is an Action, Not a Position
Samose Mays, Director, Bryan County Parks and Recreation
Leadership is not about our role in an organization; instead, it is about our chosen actions. This presentation suggests that leaders are not defined by their position. They may have official authority, or they may not. Their leadership is marked by purpose — to improve things and to be better. Leaders willing to act have a strong commitment to the mission and a disdain for complacency. They see the value in producing outcomes.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify your personal leadership style.
- Demonstrate traits of an effective leader in your chosen profession.
114 - Boardmanship, Part II
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
This session explores the often difficult legal and practical challenges of serving on a park or forest preserve district board. What can I be personally liable for? Why is “micromanaging” risky and “reasonable oversight” safe? What are the critical steps to handling a crisis? What legal options are available to address a rogue commissioner? What is our role when there are major staff problems? Get legal and practical strategies and tips on avoiding personal liability and solving substantial problems.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn strategies to reduce board and personal liability exposure.
- Explore legal and practical ways to defuse significant, high-profile challenges.
- Learn legal and practical strategies for resolving commissioner conflict.
Learn strategies to increase board professionalism, prioritize and deliver on important initiatives, and establish greater public credibility.
121 - The Current Status of Recreational Property Liability in Illinois
Andrew Keyt, Partner, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen; Emma Ray, Associate, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
In recent years, there have been several changes to the potential tort liability for injuries on park district property, especially on trails and other recreational property. The case law will focus on where the liability trends are heading and tools for preventing and defending future cases. The takeaways will focus on identifying problem property, preventing potential accidents, and helping build a successful defense to a lawsuit.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain a basic understanding of the latest case law and how the latest developments affect their park district.
- Learn practical effects and steps to take to reduce liability risks.
130 - 2022 Governmental Tort Immunity Update
Darcy Proctor, Attorney, Tressler LLP; James Hess, Attorney, Tressler LLP; Stacy De Leon, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will examine the various legal protections afforded parks districts and their employees under the Illinois Governmental Tort Immunity Act.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand recent tort immunity case decisions and trends affecting park districts today.
- Leave with effective loss prevention strategies to keep park programs safe and protect against tort liability and legal lawsuits.
136 - Changes to Rules and Policies: It’s An ADA Thing
John McGovern, Principal-in-Charge, Accessibility Practice, The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice
Park, forest preserve, conservation districts, SRAs, and villages must adhere to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which enjoys the 30th anniversary of its effective date on January 26, 2022. The Title II regulation, published by the Department of Justice, is a long list of dos and don’ts. In Section 35.130, the mandates include the requirement to “change rules and policies” when doing so is not a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program. In this session, we’ll explore four crucial federal court decisions (Anderson, Casey Martin, Marriott, and NISRA) regarding changes to rules and policies and navigate other scenarios regularly faced by parks and recreation agencies. What is the mandate? Where can the line be drawn? Is there a slippery slope, and can one of these decisions lead to unintended consequences? Bring your own “we were asked to do this” questions and get answers to all.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the changes to rules, policies, and mandates and apply those concepts to home agency operations and programs.
- Recite and discuss the key elements in Anderson, Casey Martin, Marriott, NISRA and other scenarios.
- Describe why the requested rule or policy change is or is not a reasonable modification.
215 - Innovation is Invitation: What’s Next in Inclusive Play
Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures
Now more than ever, we’ve begun to understand what makes up the fundamentals of an inclusive playspace. We know they require accessible components with sensory-rich play elements, plenty of social opportunities, and levels of play for all to thrive. As we continue pushing beyond ADA compliance to create meaningful experiences for all diagnoses, we’re assessing in more depth than ever how to take our inclusive designs to the next level. How do we elevate the ramp experience? What’s next in sensory play and supporting cognitive disorders, such as ADHD, or even simply supporting children with anxiety? We’re taking a deeper dive into designing for visual and hearing disorders and creating meaningful experiences for all. In this session, we show that innovation truly means an invitation for all. The next step in play is to truly include everyone to thrive.
Learning Outcomes:
- Summarize the basic foundation of an inclusive play spaces.
- Articulate how to take these spaces to the next level while challenging existing universally designed spaces and ensuring that they provide a truly inclusive space.
- Innovate designs for different diagnoses from ADHD to visual and hearing impairments for a deeper understanding of sensory play and more.
- Understand how we can provide maximum support for 99% of the population with a disability while understanding that everyone can use these solutions.
306 - Current Topics in Public Finance and Bond Issuances
Anjali Vij, Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Andrew Kim, Director, Public Finance, PMA Securities, LLC; Kent Floros, Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP
In this session, you will learn everything you need to know regarding recent changes to federal and state law concerning bond issues, specifically including changes in local laws related to bond issuances, changes in the continuing disclosure requirements applicable to municipal issuers under the federal securities laws, and proposed changes to the Internal Revenue Code related to municipal bond issues.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify recent changes in the law that may affect future debt issuances.
- Evaluate the effect of the proposed or pending changes in the law that may affect the ability to issue debt or impose additional requirements for future debt issuances.
413 - Safe2Help IL: Addressing 21st Century Threats Facing Illinois Students
Nicole Pieranunzi, Director of Special Education Services, West 40
Safe2Help Illinois is a comprehensive resource for students, teachers, and the community to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral health and includes a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, website, and other social media platforms to report school safety issues in a confidential environment. In the absence of a trusted adult, Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, or other threats to school safety. The goal of Safe2Help Illinois is to get students to “Seek Help Before Harm.” This session will highlight the services and resources available to students, parents, and school communities through Safe2Help Illinois.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the training available for educators to support the social, emotional, and behavioral health of students.
- Become familar with the Safe2Help IL program and the services and resources available to students, parents, and school communities.
607 - Planning for Tomorrow and Making it Happen
Jim Rogers, Executive Director, Elmhurst Park District; Daniel Atilano, Architect, Dewberry Architects Inc.
Comprehensive planning can be a monotonous task. This session shares how an agency approached its planning effort with creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Assessing facility strengths and weaknesses leads to uncovering opportunities to do more with less. An outline of the process and examples of the end product for this multiyear activity will be shared to help and inspire others when approaching the next comprehensive planning effort.
Learning Outcomes:
- Establish facility improvement goals and develop creative and achievable solutions using out-of-the-box thinking.
- Understand the steps to take to position your agency for success when completing the next comprehensive planning effort.
915 - Mobile Media: Vertical Video and its Role In Your Messaging
Mitchell Fransen, Graduate Media Assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“Everyone’s on their phones nowadays!” Well, lucky you! This presentation showcases the importance of vertical video in modern media dissemination. Find out how you can turn a daunting capture format into a medium used to gain the trust of growing generations! In this educational session, Mitchell Fransen will cover vertical video production, editing, and platform usage.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the use cases for vertical video and understand why it’s taken off in recent years.
- Understand ways to implement vertical video to make use of newer features on existing software platforms.
- Develop vertical video productions to help your agency remain at the forefront of the constituents’ minds.
- Understand capture formats, editing software, and distribution techniques.
1009 - Making It a Smooth Transition: Public Accessibility for Transgender Populations, Part I
Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink and Associates; Sophie Michaels, Speaker, Transgender Individual; Michael Clark, Executive Director, Palatine Park District
Diversity and inclusion with public facilities and recreational opportunities for all populations have become societal issues and trends, and the transgender population is no exception. Managers must be knowledgeable and proficient in the legal implications of diverse people for employment and public accessibility situations. Managers must also know what to do and how to adapt their facilities, policies, and staff training necessary to navigate this complex and often misunderstood subject to avoid lawsuits, costs, and image pitfalls within their organizations. Attendees will hear from a transgender panelist who will share her life experiences and challenges in society as a transgender female.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the legal implications in a public operator setting for the employment of the transgender population.
- Learn the proper protocol to follow when adapting facilities, accessibility, and all-inclusive areas where gender differentiation can become difficult to navigate and the need for comprehensive staff training is essential.
- Listen and learn from a transgender female panelist who will share her life experiences of discrimination and challenges over the past eight years and how managers can be inclusive within all programs, services, and facilities.
2:00 pm
19 - Accountability: The Cornerstone of Success
Jan Hincapie, Retired Parks and Recreation Director; Carrie Fullerton, Executive Director, Arlington Heights Park District
Accountability can make or break a professional, team, or agency. Learn the qualities of accountable people and how it affects their professional reputations and the success of their agencies. Identify five accountability profiles and discuss how they each influence the team. Discover ways to transform your agency or team to become accountability-driven. Take the accountability quiz to assess your accountability!
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the definition of accountability and identify the four pillars of accountability.
- Learn nine qualities of accountable people and how accountability goes up and down the table at an organization.
- Learn the negative effects when someone is not accountable and take the accountability quiz to assess your accountability profile.
- Learn how to create an accountability-driven agency.
109 - Ask the Commissioner
Panel of Commissioners
What issues are you facing as a commissioner? Are you encountering speed bumps dealing with one of your fellow board members? Is there a commissioner who has tunnel vision? Are there micro-managers? Do you have a “know it all,” a “my way or the highway,” or one who doesn’t say anything? Attend this session and hear from a panel of commissioners who have years of experience. Odds are they have encountered the same challenge or obstacle you may currently be facing! If they haven’t, perhaps someone in the audience has! Come prepared to share, ask questions, and engage with other commissioners.
Learning Outcomes:
- Ask questions, share stories, and connect with other commissioners.
- Hear how fellow commissioners handle various situations.
118 - Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements
John O’Driscoll, Attorney, Tressler LLP; James Hess, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will provide elected officials, officers, and employees with critical information on the Gift Ban Act, prohibited political activities, conflicts of interest, official misconduct, and executive session confidentiality.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the ethical requirements of the Gift Ban Act and recognize possible pitfalls in day-to-day operations and board activities.
- Understand the dos and don’ts involving wining and dining, dealing with contractors, and what can and cannot be done during election season or in connection with a referendum.
124 - Not in My Park! Regulating Controversial Park Activities
Dan Bolin, Attorney, Ancel Glink, P.C.; Megan Mack, Associate Attorney, Ancel Glink, P.C.; Kurt Asprooth, Partner, Ancel Glink, P.C.
Park districts manage many acres of public space, where the public sometimes pursues controversial uses. What authority do park districts have to regulate contentious activities while respecting the individual rights of park patrons? Participants will explore scenarios based on real cases and vote on the topics they want to learn about most, including guns, cannabis, vaccines, surveillance, and more!
Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate best practices for park districts to exercise their statutory authority to regulate a wide range of emerging and controversial activities on park property.
- Analyze the constitutional and other rights of individuals using public space.
125 - Park District Finance 101
Jason Myers, Director of Finance and Personnel, Arlington Heights Park District
This is a must-attend session if you want to understand the A to Z’s of park district finances in simple terms. Need a refresher course on park district finances? Attend this session to learn about fund structure, tax levies, budgets, budgets and appropriation, monthly reporting, bonds, investments, and much more. If you want to maximize your tax dollars for your agency, don’t miss this session.
Learning Outcomes:
- Acquire a solid base of knowledge about the specific budget and levy requirements applicable to their agencies and practical tips to avoid problems in the budget and levy process.
- Learn about the various types of bonds, how they are secured and issued, bond sale types, and basic rules regarding disclosure, continuing disclosure, and private use.
133 - Bond Issuance Regulatory Checklist: What You Need to Know When You Issue Bonds
Anjali Vij, Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Aaron Gold, Assistant Vice President, Speer Financial, Inc.; Kent Floros, Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP
In this session, you will learn how to keep your district away from the regulatory crosshairs. The regulations imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) add increasing complexity to a bond issue. We will discuss the disclosure rules under the federal securities laws that apply during the sale of bonds and after the bonds are issued. We will also discuss issues that are most likely to arise in an IRS audit, such as timely spend-down of bond proceeds, tracking investment earnings, and private use of bond-financed facilities. Finally, we will also discuss the effect of various statutory requirements on the issuance process.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the various federal tax rules and regulations governing bonds and the use of bond proceeds and projects funded with those bond proceeds.
- Identify the federal securities law disclosure requirements related to bonds.
- Evaluate procedures related to official statements and continuing disclosure to determine whether such procedures are sufficient to ensure ongoing compliance with federal laws related to bond issuances.
213 - The Benefits of Risky Play in Outdoor Playgrounds and How to Design Them
Suzanne Quinn, Dr, KOMPAN Playgrounds & Fitness
Risky play in the outdoors benefits children and adults across age ranges and abilities (Brussoni et al., 2012, 2105; Sandseter & Kennair, 2011). Thrilling play that involves risk assessment and risk-taking can help people to feel physically and emotionally empowered. In this session, we will discuss the research behind risky play and outline strategies for designing thrilling outdoor playgrounds based on principles of play and in consultation with children.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the characteristics of risky play as defined by evolutionary biologists and play scholars.
- Learn how to apply the characteristics of risky play to the design of outdoor play environments.
317 - Navigating a Harassment/Discrimination-Free Workplace
Elizabeth Wagman, Attorney, Tressler LLP; Kathleen Gibbons, Attorney, Tressler LLP
This session will focus on preventing, responding to, and defending against harassment and discrimination claims that arise in the workplace. The interactive presentation will take audience members through real-life scenarios and provide best practices for avoiding pitfalls others have faced.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand employer obligations regarding anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and the workplace.
- Understand the various legal issues that public employers face in today’s ever-changing workplace environment.
410 - Esports and How Communities Can Get Involved
Erich Bao, Founder, GGLeagues
Discover what esports are and why they are quickly becoming a staple of recreation. In addition, hear more about what it would take for you to become involved with esports and how easy it can be!
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about esports.
- Learn why communities should become involved with esports.
421 - The Power of a Senior Center Members’ Council: From Marketing to Membership!
David Shamrock, Manager, Patty Turner Center, Deerfield Park District; Nicole Britz, Patty Turner Center Program Supervisor, Deerfield Park District; Lorraine Jette, President, Patty Turner Center Members’ Council, Deerfield Park District; Leo Carter, Patty Turner Center New Member Liason, Deerfield Park District
In this presentation we will be looking at the importance of your senior center’s members’ council and their role in in supporting center activities and the recruitment and retainment of new members.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify potential members as candidates for council.
- Grow and nurture council through engagement and support.
- Identify a potential council member for the role of New Member Liaison.
- Establish a New Member Reception Program for your center.
614 - Creating New Revenue Streams, Wider User Groups and Boosting Downtime For Your Aquatic Center
Kyle Rieger, Managing Partner, NinjaCross Systems
Recreational, athletic, and leisure facilities constantly look for ways to stay relevant, attract new user groups, and develop new revenue streams. Whether a facility is privately owned, public, or a public/private partnership, operators must constantly innovate and reinvent themselves to combat downtime, target a broad user group population, and create new profit centers. This session focuses specifically on big water – bridging the dry, land-based amenities at these facilities with what traditionally has been profiled for lap swimmers or seniors – the modern competition pool. In this one-hour session, we will visit our newest innovation and climbing walls and other adventure amenities. Learn how to create a marketing vehicle to boost membership, engage current members, and breathe new life into a facility.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn a great way to stay relevant, whether you are at full capacity or starving for guests/revenue due to a dated facility or new competition in your local market.
- Learn how to re-engage dormant members and guests.
- Learn how to attract broad user groups (children, tweens, active adults, all ages and abilities, and para-athletes).
- Learn how to reduce downtime by assessing options, such as staying open later or extending your season for private rentals, events, classes, or leagues.
908 - The Power of Personal Branding
Anthony Iracki, Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Anthony In Parks
The phrase “personal brand” is another way of saying “reputation.” It is one thing professionals should be keenly aware of at every stage of their careers. A strong personal brand can open doors for you, lead others to you, and allow new opportunities. In this session, we will explore the importance of personal branding and how to build yours if you have not already begun.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the importance of building a personal brand.
- Understand the avenues in which you can partake in promoting and sharing your personal brand.
1010 - Making It a Smooth Transition: Public Accessibility for Transgender Populations, Part II
Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink and Associates; Sophie Michaels, Speaker, Transgender Individual; Michael Clark, Executive Director, Palatine Park District
Diversity and inclusion with public facilities and recreational opportunities for all populations have become societal issues and trends, and the transgender population is no exception. Managers must be knowledgeable and proficient in the legal implications of diverse people for employment and public accessibility situations. Managers must also know what to do and how to adapt their facilities, policies, and staff training necessary to navigate this complex and often misunderstood subject to avoid lawsuits, costs, and image pitfalls within their organizations. Attendees will hear from a transgender panelist who will share her life experiences and challenges in society as a transgender female. In part II, we will continue with an interactive discussion where audience members can participate and get their questions answered.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the legal implications in a public operator setting for the employment of the transgender population.
- Learn the proper protocol to follow when adapting facilities, accessibility, and all-inclusive areas where gender differentiation can become difficult to navigate and the need for comprehensive staff training is essential.
- Listen and learn from a transgender female panelist who will share her life experiences of discrimination and challenges over the past eight years and how managers can be inclusive within all programs, services, and facilities.
3:30 pm
21 - Executive Directors’ Roundtable
Bret Fahnstrom, Executive Director, River Trails Park District; Laure Kosey, Executive Director, Oak Brook Park District; Mike Selep, Executive Director, Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA)
Whether you are a new executive director or a seasoned veteran, this session will provide a confidential peer-to-peer forum for exchanging ideas, problem-solving, and crowd-sourcing solutions to some of your toughest agency challenges. Led by a panel of enthusiastic directors who will assist in guiding the discussion, this highly interactive session offers participants an opportunity to seek advice, share stories, highlight accomplishments, and learn tips and strategies from others’ shared experiences.
Learning Outcomes:
- Connect with their peers and discuss timely, sensitive issues.
- Gain new perspectives and strategies from others’ shared experiences.
311 - Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act
Andrew Keyt, Partner, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen; James Rooney, Associate, Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen
The focus will be on the basic FOIA responsibilities, the most common exemptions, and how to handle sensitive responses, such as video. Takeaways include understanding the basic rules and application to common requests and what to do with sensitive requests.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand basic FOIA concepts and areas of concern.
- Effectively handle requests for records.
411 - Why Early Childhood Literacy is Necessary for Our Preschoolers Upon Entering Kindergarten to Be Prepared and Confident in Order to Succeed Later in Life
Richard Rosen, Literacy Chair, Rotary District #6440, Retired Commissioner, Wheeling Park District, and Former Educational Advisory Board Member, University of Arizona College of Education; Phil Stanko, Commissioner, Cary Park District, Cary Grove Rotary Club Member, and Retired High School Teacher
In this presentation, through personal experiences and statistics, we will emphasize the importance and effects parks and recreation can offer preschool students for their future learning process once they enter kindergarten or first grade. One of many startling statistics is that two-thirds of students who cannot read at the fourth-grade level upon entering fifth grade end up in poverty, the criminal justice system, or both. The process of ensuring each of our preschoolers are properly prepared after leaving school could change their lives (underscoring the importance of getting this message to the parents of preschoolers). This interactive presentation will include an open discussion so that participants can share their successful preschools program ideas to contribute to a body of knowledge from which all participants will be able to learn and benefit.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize the importance of literacy programs as critical to improving childhood outcomes.
- Understand how parks and recreation can play a role in this effort.
- Share program ideas to facilitate early childhood learning in existing programs.
412 - Preserving Human Interaction in a Digital Society
Jan Hincapie, Retired Parks and Recreation Director
We live in a fast-paced world. Before the pandemic, we were constantly looking for ways to streamline and automate processes in our agencies. Out of necessity, meetings and virtual programming have become commonplace. While technology has undoubtedly enhanced our world and helped us through this unprecedented time, have we gone too far? Have we completely lost face-to-face human interaction forever? In this session, the speaker will discuss what technology has done to the human side of our jobs and discuss ways to change our philosophy, management approach, and, eventually, work environments to create and support opportunities for human interaction.
Learning Outcomes:
- Attain a greater understanding of how technology has affected the world, especially since March of 2020.
- Learn the traits and desires of many staff members and customers, identifying them as digital natives or digital immigrants.
- Identify ways to assess workplace processes to determine whether automation is the best option: evaluate before you automate.
608 - Retail Buildings Reimagined for Community Health, Wellness, and Recreation
Brent Ross, Senior Project Manager, Perkins&Will; Todd Snapp, Principal, Perkins&Will
As the business model for retail continues to evolve away from brick-and-mortar stores, many communities face large vacant big-box stores and mall properties. Astute community leaders understand that vacant retail properties affect the surrounding land values and take a proactive approach to reimagining these properties as new centers of community health, wellness, and recreation. This session will explore the guiding principles for the successful, adaptive reuse of these properties and case studies that demonstrate an emerging facility model that blends community recreation, clinical health, complementary retail, and other creative community partnerships.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the business case for adaptive reuse of retail facilities.
- Learn how to identify viable candidate facilities for adaptive reuse of retail buildings.
- Learn about emerging missions of blended health, wellness, and recreation facilities.
- Hear about current case studies for how these facilities are being reimagined throughout the country.
913 - Digital Marketing That Rocks
Gabriel Castillo, President/CEO, RecStar Consulting
Explore the current trends and techniques in digital marketing, social media, SEO, content, and mobile trends. Learn how digital marketing can matter the most to your marketing department and organization, and have fun playing some rock trivia!
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the three biggest trends in digital marketing and recognize what changes have taken place over the last year with COVID-19.
- Identify five new technology apps that can help you and your department with your marketing efforts.