5. Consult with an IAPD board member or staff member if you have a particular problem that was not addressed in a session. We can assist you or put you in touch with individuals most qualified or experienced in a specific problem area. You'll be sure to find us at the "Boardwalk/Park Place" and at lAPD's board member networking reception.

6. Plan to visit the Exhibit Hall to learn about the latest products and services for the park and recreation business.

7. Bring plenty of business cards to leave with speakers,exhibitors and others who network with you.

8. Bring examples of any information or issues you would like to discuss with speakers or conference attendees.

9. Incorporate elements of a board member retreat into your conference experience.

10. After the conference, prepare a succinct report for fellow board members, district personnel and other key audiences in the community.
Education Is Ongoing

Oftentimes, we find that board members who don't attend workshops and conferences fail to be aware of and meet their statutory duties and responsibilities. Those who say "I can't afford to go" are missing the boat. You can't afford to miss not knowing your liability and legal responsibilities. The future of open spaces, preservation of natural resources, and meeting the recreational needs of residents in all of our communities depends on farsighted and knowledgeable board members.

In tough times some choose to cut back on continuing education. Yet, that's when it's most prudent to maintain and even increase education budgets. The reason: to keep board members abreast of rapid changes, trends and issues that affect their agency, the community and the citizens they serve.

IAPD is in the business of training and developing board members. We package this in many different ways to serve the needs of our members.

• The IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference is an intensive, three-day, one-stop shop for education and networking.

• The annual Legislative Conference and Reception trains board members in legislative advocacy and provides a forum for meeting with legislators.

• The annual Legal Symposium tracks and presents the hot legal topics that affect park and recreationagencies.

• The annual Commissioners Seminar provides an upstate and downstate forum for specific boardmanship issues.

• Regional Roundtables offer localized networking and problem-solving yearlong.

• Specialized workshops throughout the year train in areas such as spokesperson and crisis communications, public relations, benefits marketing, finances and board/CEO relationships.

Continuing education and training is no longer a nice thing to do, it is a necessity. The issues facing park district and forest preserve boards today are so broad and com- plex, none of us can go it alone. Training and informa- tion-sharing are sound investments for park districts and forest preserves.

Continuing education and training is no longer a nice thing to do it is a necessity.