A GOOD INVESTMENT

Organizing the 1982 IPRA/IAPD State Conference

Co-chairing the IPRA/IAPD Joint Conference Committee requires dynamism, leadership and, most of all, a good sense of humor. Ed Haag of IPRA and Naomi Walters of IAPD possess generous amounts of these qualities. Under their leadership, the three conference committees collectively have hammered out an impressive 1982 state meeting (see conference highlights article). The Joint Committee coordinates the entire conference including exhibits, making all the necessary policy and budgetary decisions. It is made up of key persons from the individual IPRA and IAPD committees which are led by Haag and Walters, respectively. The IAPD Committee is responsible for all commissioner, forest preserve, and legislative sessions. The IPRA Committee oversees conference operations, and coordinates all of the educational sessions. Haag and Walters are enthusiastic in their praise of this year's committee members whom they feel have prepared an outstanding show — And now . . . meet the co-chairs.

Naomi Walters really believes in the principle of "giving back" through community service. It's the reason Naomi, Streamwood Park District Board President, has been so active in IAPD, the Junior Women's Club, and PTA. It reflects a commitment formed in childhood by her mother, who after raising eight children, received her delayed high school diploma and is planning now on entering college at 57.

That same stamina and determination enables Naomi to hold down a full-time job, sit on several boards, chair this year's state meeting and take courses toward a college degree. However, Naomi's management degree must often be deferred while she actually manages the Building Owners and Managers Association of Suburban Chicago. Since assuming the association's directorship in December, Naomi has helped increase its ranks by 67 members.

She is one of the few women who have made the secretary-to-manager jump, and her story will be among those included in an upcoming Glamour Magazine article highlighting this kind of transition.

Naomi feels her executive secretary skills have helped her enormously in her new director's role. She's also convinced that her new position has made her a better park board commissioner. "I now sit on the other side of the desk and have begun to understand the diplomacy chief executives need when working with board members."

Naomi joined the Streamwood park board in 1975 — elected to that position only three years after moving to the village. Her years of community service were acknowledged last year when she was named Woman of the Year by the Illinois Federation of Club Women.

Naomi has served on the IAPD board since 1980 and her five-year state conference involvement includes planning awards luncheons, numerous programs, and sessions, and last year's vice chairmanship. All this prepared her to co-chair this year's state conference which Naomi is confident will be the "best ever."

Confidence, energy and service are only part of Naomi Walters, however. She is a dedicated mother who has lots of fun with her 11 and 15 year old daughters and who enjoys many "fun" interests of her own. She's an avid swimmer, racquetball player, gardener, and needlewoman and loves to travel.

Naomi Walters feels she's a very lucky person and she intends to continue "giving back" whenever she can.

Ed Haag's philosophy is best summed up in four words . . . "No guts, no glory" . . . meaning that he believes in living life fully and working and playing hard.

A decision maker, Ed is known for running a tight ship, both at Hoffman Estates where he is director and as co-chair of the Joint Conference Committee and chair of the IPRA Committee.

But Ed also loves people, likes to work and lead groups, and his staff and volunteer colleagues respond to his enthusiasm for challenges.

Since he became Hoffman's chief five years ago, the agency has eliminated a deficit of 11/2 times its assessed value and is enjoying a surplus. The staff has increased from eight to 22 people and programs quadrupled. Now offering 300 programs, the agency has also acquired 150 additional acres of land, renovated its pool, and built a recreation center containing a racquetball and health club.

A 1974 Western Illinois graduate, Ed has been an agency director for 61/2 years. He became director of Medinah Park District right from college, and then served as Hoffman's Recreation Superintendent for l1/2 years before becoming director.

Ed's conference involvement began as a student. In fact, he helped organize the Student Section. Since then, he has chaired every conference sub-committee, except Exhibits, and was appointed to the Joint Committee 3 years ago, serving as vice-chair last year.

He has received numerous community citations from the Schaumburg Rotary Club, the Jaycees, and has been active in these organizations plus NRPA and SPRA.

Ed, who lives alone in his rambling Hoffman Estates home, except for his Alaskan Malamute, brings his determined enthusiasm into his personal life.

An avid sportsman, he enjoys hunting, water and snow skiing, racquetball and softball. Yes, Ed practices what he preaches ... he lives life to the max.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 22 September/October 1982