Certified Professionals Reap Important Benefits

The current buzzword in the parks and recreation field is 'benefits." We're becoming re-educated on one of the most basic elements of marketing: emphasizing what our customers gain by using our services and facilities. It's pretty simple. If we expect someone to plunk down hard-earned cash to take part in one of our programs, or buy a pass to our pool, or work out in our fitness center, we must make it very clear just what that person can expect to get for his or her money. The same common sense applies in maintaining and strengthening our professional credentials. What are the benefits we can expect when we agree to commit ourselves to professional certification? That's the straight line, and here's the punch line: the benefits are endless!

Who Are Certified Professionals?
Certified professionals are career professionals. With career professionals on board, each agency's management team consistently provides superior programs, activities, facilities and services. Certified professionals make a significant personal commitment by willingly initiating and following through on the certification process. This commitment indicates a strong interest not only in long-range self-improvement, but also in the long-range improvement of every agency.

Matt Ellmann, director of the Warrenville Park District and chair of the IPRA Certification Board, says: "(Certification) helps each individual's professional career, of course, and it also does a lot for the agency, its elected officials and the community which the agency services. Certification upholds the integrity of the entire profession."

Benefits for Certified Professionals
Certified professionals are widely recognized for their comprehensive vision as leaders in the field of parks and recreation. Through ongoing education, skill development and practical application certified professionals position each agency to offer the highest quality in every aspect of operation.

All professionals benefit from the knowledge gained in fulfilling the requirements for certification. For those new to the field, this means a chance to focus their education during the formative years of employment. For those who have lead the way in parks and recreation, it means the opportunity to keep up with the latest information available and to sharpen their professional skills. Certification demonstrates that we are truly serious about furthering our vision to offer the best programs, facilities and services. Specifically:

· you gain leadership skills to develop well-trained staff and positively represent your agency in the community;

· you learn to manage budgets efficiently in order to increase revenues and maintain fiscal responsibility;

· you use the most current management methods to enhance policies and procedures; and

· you keep up with the latest trends in marketing to attract the greatest number of participants to programs and facilities.

Every person in the field has personal reasons for choosing this profession. However, many share two common traits: we believe in what we do and we want to improve our profession in any way we can. Seeking certification often arises from this desire to leave the world a little better than we found it.

Benefits for Board Members
"Professional certification for staff members is a great way for your agency to prove its commitment to quality management," says Roger Florey, commissioner for the Rolling Meadows Park District. Many elected officials encourage staff in their agencies to become certified in the following ways:

· boards allot funds in each year's budget for continuing education for their employees;

· they provide time for employees to take advantage of workshops and educational sessions; and

· they encourage the hiring of certified professionals as their best bet for steady, creative, committed professional relationships.

Dr. Ted Flickinger, executive director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, puts it this way: "Continuing your education means you are staying up on current issues and trends. I would think that board members would want to invest in the future of their agencies by encouraging not only directors but all levels of management to become Certified Leisure Professionals."

Illinois now boasts more Certified Leisure Professionols (CLPs) than any other state in the country. And that number is increasing every year.