CONFERENCE HIGHLITES

by Kay Forest

There are several exciting things happening that are new and innovative at the Illinois Park and Recreation Conference this year. We hope that all members of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association plan to attend on November 16 through the 19th at Stouffers Riverfront Towers in St. Louis, Missouri.

Because of the comments we have received during the past few years, many of the sessions during the conference will be taped and available for purchase on cassettes. The Conference Committee in prior years has been asked to publish the proceedings of the conference and feels that by taping some of the more exciting sessions, all delegates will be able to reap more educational benefits from the conference. A special booth will be set up at the conference to display the tapes which will be available for purchase.

All conference delegates will receive a writing portfolio notebook this year instead of the usual conference envelope and program. This notebook was made possible by donations from the following exhibitors: Owen Reese and Associates, Chicago-Torro, McFadzean and Everly, Ltd., Artistic Trophy, Frank B. Hall Co., Creative Sports Apparel, and Paul Buckley and Associates. Our thanks to those exhibitors who have financed this portfolio.

Two editions of the Conference News Paper "At Your Leisure" will be published. If you have any news for the paper please make sure you contact either one of the reporters or bring the copy to conference headquarters—the Hickok Room. The paper will be available Friday morning and Saturday during the conference.

Security in the exhibits and sessions will be increased this year in that all delegates will be required to display their badge when entering the exhibits and educational sessions.

Thursday, November 16th Happenings - IPRA pre-conference workshops will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The following workshops will be offered: Office Management, Unemployment Compensation, Inter-personal Communication, Energy Conservation and Structures, and a Therapeutic Seminar. A tour of the Missouri Botanical Gardens is offered from 1-4 p.m. and a tour of Anheuser Busch Brewery from 3-5 p.m. Pre-registration is necessary to participate in these tours. The exhibits will open at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, however, the Grand Opening of the exhibits will take place at 4:30 p.m. All full conference delegates will receive a complimentary drink ticket courtesy of the exhibitors. Special activities and demonstrations will take place during this opening. Cash bar will also be available.

That evening the Close Encounters Mixer will begin at 8 p.m. This social mixer provides the delegates with a chance to relax and socialize in an atmosphere of music and dance prior to the conference. The well known group called Progress will provide music from different eras for the delegates listening and dancing pleasure.

Friday, November 17th Happenings - Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Exhibits will open at 9:00 a.m. and the first educational session begins at 8:30 a.m. Delegates will be given an opportunity to have input into the legislative programs of IAPD and IPRA at the first educational session on Friday at 8:30 a.m. entitled LEGISLATIVE. If you are interested in legislation, please attend this very important session. Each morning of the conference, coffee will be available in the exhibit area. Make sure that you set aside a certain amount of time to visit the exciting exhibits.

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association holds its annual meeting from 10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. on Friday, and from 10:40 to 11:45 a.m. the special interest sections will hold their meetings. This is the time set aside for IPRA members to meet with others in the specialized areas of Parks and Natural Resources, Administration and Finance, Recreation Programming, Therapeutic Recreation, and Special Facility Management.

The Opening Conference Luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. The Keynote Address by a Mr. Mig Figi is entitled, "Believe in Yourself, Find your Greater Sense, Your Sense of Humor". We hope that this will be an exciting motivational session for all conference delegates. Educational sessions begin again at 2:15 p.m. highlighted by sessions such as - The Woman Commissioner, (which is not for women only), Community Education, Public Speaking Tips, Motivation, Music Therapy, Master Planning and many, many, more. A special Potpourri session for federal and state agencies will be held from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. All delegates and agencies are urged to bring their questions and comments for the federal and state agencies to this session. The format is small group discussions.

The IPRA Student Section meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Several Friday night activities have been arranged for the delegates pleasure. The Plantation Dinner Theatre - Tour #3 - will visit the newest and largest theatre in

Illinois Parks and Recreation 12 November/December, 1978

the St. Louis area. The play for the evening will be "Here Lies Jeremy Troy" starring Tab Hunter. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tour #4 will proceed to Caholie Downs Harness Racing Track. Registration for this tour includes admission to the track, dinner, program and transportation. Special registration is necessary for these tours.

Saturday, November 18th Happenings - Registration on Saturday begins at 8:00 a.m. with the exhibits opening at 9:00 a.m. Educational sessions start at 8:45 a.m. Coffee will be available in the exhibit area from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Educational sessions conver a broad range of topics from Small Park Districts Problems and Successes, Special Recreation, and Current Legal Problems.

From 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., the Illinois Association of Park Districts hold its Annual Awards Luncheon. This provides the commissioners an opportunity to join in honoring those who have served the Illinois Association of Park Districts and contributed to the development of Park Districts in Illinois. Special registration is necessary for this event.

Delegates not participating in the IAPD Awards Luncheon are invited to have lunch in the exhibit area. A special buffett will be set up in the South Exhibit hall where delegates can purchase sandwiches and drinks. Exhibits will close at 1:30 p.m., so make sure you have had an opprotunity to visit all the booths. Special attendance drawings will be held throughout the conference in the exhibit area.

The IAPD Annual meeting is held Saturday afternoon from 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. This provides all park districts an opportunity to have input into the operation of their association. Immediately following this special sessions entitled PROPOSITION 13 will be held. This will give delegates an opportunity to discover what is and could happen in Illinois if a similar bill is passed—and what effect Prop. 13 had in California on parks and recreation.

The Park and Natural Resource Section of IPRA is offering a free tour of the maintenance headquarters and the outdoor education facility of the St. Louis County Park System, one of the best in the nation. Participation is limited on this tour and it is suggested that all delegates who are interested in participating, sign up in advance at conference headquarters. The tour leaves promptly at 1:00 p.m. from Stouffers and will return about 4:30 p.m.

The conference commences with an exciting event this year — the All Conference Banquet and Entertainment. Instead of a speaker this year, the Conference Committee has arranged for some exciting entertainment. The PATT HOLT SINGERS will begin their performance during the banquet at 9:00 p.m. This group has delighted audiences from Atlanta to Alburquerque. They can take any evening and transform it from the ordinary to something special. The Pan Holt Singers provide a variety of favorite songs from Ragtime to Contemporary. They have received numerous national and local awards, and have appeared for several major gatherings. The Conference Commitee is excited about this new concept and hopes that it will provide a fun evening for all the delegates.

Immediately following the entertainment, delegates are invited to a special Scholarship Disco sponsored by the students. Donations of $1.00 will be collected at the door and proceeds will be placed into a Scholarship Fund for park and recreation majors.

Sunday, November 19, 1978 Before adjourning the conference a special LEGAL session will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Delegates are asked to submit legal problems related to park districts for discussion. Conference ends at 11:30 p.m.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 13 November/December, 1978