Learn about the very interesting current interest rate environment which is being driven by mixed economic data that shows concerns for both higher inflation and a possible economic recession.

Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your personal and business knowledge of today’s economic market. This Lunch and Learn, held on May 21 from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, is completely FREE. Excellent networking opportunities abound and 0.15 CEUs are available.

Topics and questions to be covered include:

• Market Update;
• The Steepening Yield Curve;
• What the Fed Funds Futures Market is Predicting;
• Current Investment Strategies;
• Is it a Good Time to Invest Long Term?;
• Investment Policy Suggestions for Park Districts

IPRA’s CEO, Bill Wald, will be moderating this engaging Lunch and Learn presented by PFM Asset Management’s Jeffrey Schroeder.

Register today!

A recent article in the Daily Herald reported that due to the poor economy teens were scrambling for summer jobs. A report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University predicted the teen employment rate will drop below even last year’s historically low level of 34.5 percent.

Despite this unsettling news, the article stated some bright news. Park districts, regardless of the economy, are in need of camp counselors, concession stand workers, lifeguards and other summer staff.

“The jobs are out there, experts say. Teens will just have to work a little harder to land them this year.”

The IPRA has the answer to teens looking for summer jobs. Post your open positions on the IPRA’s job opportunities bulletin. Did you know that roughly 15-20 jobs get posted each month on the IPRA site? And did you know there are about 1,500 posted resumes on the site for employers to search through to find the perfect match?

However, posting summer jobs for teens on the IPRA site is just part of the process. If you haven’t had a job fair yet, it’s not too late. Also, talk to your local high schools and ask if you can post flyers and talk with students over their lunch period.

Now for the fun part… So you have a summer job opening. Why would a teenager want to work for you? What makes working in parks and recreation so appealing?

These are questions who must have an answer to. Teens are not as willing to accept a low paying summer job as they once were. Gas prices are astronomical…more students are taking summer school to prepare for college…summer sports leagues occupy a lot of time…and the list can go on and on.

Post a comment here answering why a teenager would want to work for you.

The IRS has proposed new, comprehensive regulations for Section 125 Plans which are effective on January 1, 2009. What on Earth is that? Why should you care? Will your district be ready?

A 1¼-hour session on this topic was presented at the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to cover all the topics and questions.

Therefore, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Administrative and Finance Section is presenting a workshop on May 29 called, “What Are Taxable Benefits and What Should Employers Do About Them?”

Features and Topics:

• Principles behind the Taxation of Fringe Benefits
• Section 125 Cafeteria Plans
• Fringe Benefit Valuation Rules
• Fringe Benefit Exclusion Rules

- Accident & Health Plans
- DeMinimis Benefits
- Dependent Care Assistance
- Educational Assistance
- Employee Discounts & Use of Facilities
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Lodging & Meals
- Transportation

Speakers: Barbara A. Erickson and Cynthia L. DeCola with the law firm of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn

Click here for more information on this workshop. Did you know that if you use your MARC Card it’ll only cost you $5? Register today!

When was the last time you stepped foot on the field of a major league baseball field? Make plans this June 19 and August 14 to spend an afternoon at US Cellular Field to watch the world champion Chicago White Sox!

Every year, hundreds of park and recreation professionals and day camp groups get together for some fun in the sun. Help support parks and recreation by joining us for the games, wearing colorful shirts, walking the field in our banner parade and possibly throwing out the first pitch!

Although looking out into the crowd looks like a rainbow of color, more supporters are needed to really make an impact. These games are a great opportunity for staff outings and day camp trips. The ticket prices are reduced for our IPRA outings so take advantage.

The deadline for the June 19 game is this Thursday, May 8. Hurry and order your tickets…and don’t forget to sign up for the free banner parade around the outfield at the August 14 game!

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is accepting applications for its 2008 Young Professionals Externship.

The Externship Program enables outstanding young professionals 35 years of age and younger in the parks and recreation field to interact with and learn from members of the American Academy for Park and Recreation, and other individuals who attend the NRPA Congress and its associated meetings. Up to four Externs are selected each year, in which two are Ernest T. Atwell diversity externships.

Externs are paired with Academy members who serve as mentors during the NRPA Congress. Externs may attend selected NRPA Congress meetings, socials, and educational sessions with their mentors or on their own. Mentors help introduce Externs to their contacts and widen the young professionals’ networks. After the Congress, Externs must write a brief evaluation report including 1) an overview of the activities they were involved in during the Congress; 2) what they have gained from the program; and 3) strengths and weaknesses of the program, along with suggestions for future improvement.

Extern Benefits
Selected externs each receive:

1. Free registration for the 2008 NRPA Congress;
2. Up to a $500 scholarship to help cover conference expenses and travel, if the participant’s home department cannot cover costs or can only cover a portion of the costs;
3. A ticket for the Academy’s annual dinner.

Eligible applicants should submit the AAPRA Externship Application and supporting materials no later then Monday, June 16, 2008. Applications must be submitted with a letter of recommendation from the Director of their Department or an Academy member.

View the AAPRA Externship Flyer for more information.

The Hilton Baltimore block of rooms for the NRPA Congress is SOLD OUT.

Those members who faxed housing forms requesting the Hilton Baltimore will be assigned the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, the Tremont Plaza Hotel or possibly another hotel. You should be receiving your hotel reservation confirmation in the next 36-72 hours. A company called Wyndham Jade is handling reservations for over 9,000 delegates and faxed reservations take much longer to process since it is done manually versus booking the reservation yourself online.

Per yesterday’s blog post, detailed information about the housing options for the “Illinois State” block of rooms at the NRPA Congress was emailed to directors of member agencies. Please consult with your director to verify that the emails were received.

If you did not receive the email, please contact Dina Kartch.

Detailed information about the housing options for the “Illinois State” block of rooms at the NRPA Congress was emailed to Directors of member agencies. Please consult with your Director to verify that the emails were received.

Rooms in the block are on a first-come, first served basis…and registration begins at 12:00pm Central Time, May 1.

If you did not receive the email please contact Dina Kartch.

After 13 years of providing exceptional service to the membership of the IPRA, Polly McKee is celebrating her last day with the association today. As IPRA’s Membership & Certification Assistant, she saw the association grow and evolve over the years…always with a smile on her face. She is a class-act and will be missed by so many of her friends and colleagues in the field.

Polly is retiring for a life of traveling, golfing, gardening and some much deserved relaxation.

Polly, thank you for everything you’ve done for IPRA and its members. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Once again this year we have booked an “Illinois State” block of rooms for the NRPA Congress in Baltimore, October 14-18. This year will be handled differently.

In the past, we managed the reservations for the membership but this year we will be sending out online booking information to everyone and each member will make and manage their own reservations. We will be supplying you with the housing link and the password to book within the “Illinois State” block of rooms.

We have the following hotel choices available:

• Hilton Baltimore
  Across the street from the Convention Center
  Rates: $199 per night single/double occupancy
  401 West Pratt Street
  Baltimore, MD 21201
• Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel
  4 Blocks from the Convention Center
  Rates: $165 per night single/double occupancy
  101 West Fayette Street
  Baltimore, MD 21201
• Tremont Plaza Hotel
  7 Blocks from the Convention Center
  Rates: $149 per night single/double occupancy
  222 St. Paul Place
  Baltimore, MD 21202

Once these room blocks are filled at each hotel you will have to book your reservation through NRPA’s housing company, Wyndham Jade.

We will not be receiving the booking information until Thursday, May 1. The general housing also opens on May 1 so it will be a frenzy for everyone to book hotel rooms. We recommend you begin thinking about and planning your hotel reservation needs now. We’ll have more information available to you as soon as we get it.

Just over one year ago the Illinois Park & Recreation Association introduced a partnership with the American Cancer Society to provide recreation professionals in Illinois a unique toolkit designed to fight the growing childhood obesity epidemic. This program, called Camp Fusion, is a turnkey healthy living and activity toolkit that can be incorporated into your day camp or youth programming initiatives!

Given concerns with the rising obesity rates in our country - especially among our children - hundreds of Camp Fusion toolkits were downloaded last year by IPRA members. The toolkits are still available for download and we encourage every agency to have a Camp Fusion toolkit on hand this summer.

Included in the Camp Fusion toolkit:

Overview of all Camp Fusion program and activities for age levels, K-5th grade (view Overview)
Age specific turn-key programming ideas:

• Activity lesson plans (view K-2, view 3-5)
• Craft ideas (view K-2, view 3-5)
• Physical activity lesson plans (view K-2, view 3-5)
• Healthy and fun recipes (view K-2, view 3-5)

In order to view the free online Camp Fusion kits you must be an IPRA member and logged into the IPRA site with you member name and password (information found under the Resource Library/Childhood Obesity folder).

Join the fight to help eliminate the childhood obesity epidemic. If you have any questions about implementing the Camp Fusion program please contact the Illinois Park & Recreation Association at (630) 376-1911.

Did you incorporate any of the Camp Fusion programming ideas into your day camps or programs? Let us know what you thought by posting a comment.