Eye on the Profession Are you a true professional?

EYE ON THE PROFESSION
A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION
Are You a True Professional?

William J. M. Wald, CLP
IPRA Executive Director
Do you have a personal code of ethics, and do you embrace it?
All 2,400 members of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association are unique. Education, field of expertise, interests, ethnicity, religion, politics and even work habits make up who we are. Yet, all of us are described as "professionals." Should we be?

Do we all act professionally? This is certainly a personal question and each of us must answer it individually. If you are up for a little soul-searching and self-examination, follow along.

Think about what personal traits makeup an ethical person. What are the fundamental characteristics of a true professional?

A definitive answer to this question does not exist, however certain qualities are mentioned time and again when these subjects are discussed. The following is a self-examination to help you determine your degree of professionalism.

Professionalism:
A state of mind which demands that you consistently give of your best.

• Do you have a personal code of ethics, and do you embrace it?
• Do you stand up for your own ethical standards?
• Are you honest and trustworthy?
• Do you make promises you can keep and do you keep them? Are you dependable?
• Are you truly interested in how others think and feel? Do you listen?
• Do you make decisions not because they're easy or popular, but because they're right?
• Do you lead by example so others can follow? Are you a mentor?
• Do you show appreciation? Do you avoid taking people for granted?
• Do you criticize constructively?
• Do you ALWAYS take responsibility for your actions?
• Are you open-minded to others' opinions, lifestyles, and habits?
• Do you have a good attitude?
• Are you enthusiastic and optimistic?
• Do you work to your highest potential?
• Are your personal and professional priorities balanced and in order?
• Are you a contributing member of your staff, your profession, your community, our society as a whole?
• Do you continuously strive for personal and professional growth and development?
• Do you set personal and professional goals and accomplish them?
• Do you always act in the best interest of your organization?

Only you can answer these questions. As the IPRA board endorses and reaffirms their support for a new "IPRA Code of Ethical Practices & Procedures"—presented by the Ethical Practices Task Force—we must consider our answers and our actions. We must do this to reaffirm our own commitment to professionalism.

8 * Illinois Parks and Recreation * March/April 2000

ARE YOU A TRUE PROFESSIONAL?

Principles of Ethical Practice
An Ethical Code for Illinois Park and Recreation Professionals

The 11 Principles of Ethical Practice were developed in a yearlong process by a task force representing all facets of the park and recreation profession. The principles are endorsed by the board of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. They define how well-trained, honorable professionals should conduct themselves within their areas of professional service, and they provide benchmarks to measure a professional's fulfillment of ethical obligations. What follows is a listing of the 11 principles. For the complete charter "Principles of Ethical Practice," contact IPRA.

Integrity
Honesty, Trust, Truthfulness

Accountability
Responsibility for Actions

Fairness
Action Free from Favor and without Bias

Citizenship
Reflecting the Standards of Our Free Society

Mentoring
Counseling, Guiding, Sharing Experience

Support for the Profession
Supporting and Encouraging Involvement

Service Above Self
Respect, Concern, Courtesy and Responsiveness

Standards of Practice
Professional and Technical Competence, Excellence in Service

Confidentiality
Respecting Privacy and Maintaining Public Trust

Employer/Employee Relations
Mutual Respect and Consideration

Residents/Board/Staff Relations
Recognizing and Respecting Human Value

Have You Faced an Ethical Dilemma in Your Work Environment?
Have you ever wrestled with an issue that was more gray than black and white? Ethical dilemmas can arise during your interactions with vendors, other staff members, the public or elected commissioners. These situations can have far-reaching implications.

Currently in development is an "Ethics Casebook" of situations faced by park and recreation professionals. The casebook will help illustrate, through example, what might be some reasonable alternatives and options for the professional to consider in working our way through ethical dilemmas.

To submit an example for the casebook, contact Larry Reiner, chair of the IPRA Ethical Practices Task Force at 630/620-4500 for a form. All cases cited are anonymous and confidential. No names are asked for or used for each experience shared.

Illinois Parks and Recreation * March/April 2000 * 9