Did you know IPRA memberships can be FREE?
IPRA's Commercial Drive 2006 was designed to add your staff to the growing IPRA membership. Sometimes budgets are tight and there may not be money for some of your staff to join IPRA...now you can have new members join for FREE!

Here's the catch...recruit a vendor or company that you work with in your community to become a Commercial Member of IPRA and we'll give you a Professional Membership! Simple!

Conference is coming up and it's a great time to get everyone in your office a membership. The educational workshops planned for 2006 will be fresh and exciting! Membership has never been so important for the success of your staff and your agency.

Click here to view the Commercial Drive brochure. Promotion ends Feb. 3 ,2006.

Workers Waste As Much As Three Hours a Day Reading Poorly Written eMail
A recent survey by Information Mapping, Inc. revealed that 80% of those surveyed deem email writing skills are 'extremely' or 'very' important to the effectiveness of doing their jobs. The results also showed that approximately 65% of the respondents spend from 1 to 3 hours per day reading and writing emails, with 40% "wasting" thirty minutes to three hours reading "ineffectively" written emails.

Among the primary challenges and issues concerning emails that the survey exposed were:
* Recipient is not clear as to what should be done or how to act on the information
* Content is disorganized
* Critical information is missing or hard to find
* Content is too long, wordy and difficult to read

Click here to learn more about this study and begin improving your email writing skills!

Shhh...Silent Auction is making a BIG noise this year!
Click here to download the printable form.

Contributions are still being accepted for the 2006 Silent Auction, held LIVE at the Annual Conference. Your contributions of products, gift certificates, coupons, etc. are greatly appreciated. Please send all Silent Auction contributions to the IPRA headquarters before January 6 to insure inclusion in the program. Auction proceeds fund the Illinois Park & Recreation Student Scholarship Program.

Chicago Bulls Tickets For Sale
Register Online
Click here to download the printable brochure.

Tuesday, February 14 vs. Sacramento Kings (7:30 PM) Deadline: 12/30/2005
Friday, March 10 vs. LA Clippers (7:30 PM) Deadline: 1/27/2006
Friday, March 24 vs. New Orleans Hornets (7:30 PM) Deadline: 2/10/2006
Tuesday, April 4 vs. Indiana Pacers (7:30 PM) Deadline: 2/17/2006

Don't forget to include the Fall/Winter Ticket Programs in your seasonal brochures!

2006 Ski & Snowboard Teen Trip
February 3-4 at Chestnut Mountain, Galena, IL
Contact: Bart Desch at 815-895-3202 or deschb2000@yahoo.com
Click here to download the printable brochure.

Join the IPRA Teen Committee and teens from park districts around the state at Chestnut Mountain for the night of your life. Slopes are open from 10:30 p.m. till 5:00 a.m.! Chestnut Mountain accommodates all types of skiers and snowboarders with 17 lighted downhill runs including 5 “easiest”, 9 “difficult”, and 3 “most difficult” slopes. Skis and snowboards are available for rental, and lessons will be ongoing from 11:00 PM until 3:00 AM. Not only is there skiing and snowboarding, there is a campfire area, video game room, DJ/dance room and a snack bar. Sponsored by the IPRA Teen Committee.

Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival…Volunteers Needed!
The Hook A Kid On Golf Foundation of Illinois will be participating in the 6th Annual Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival in Chicago from Wednesday, December 28th – Friday, December 30th, 2005 and is looking for volunteers!

Volunteers will be asked to assist with registration, ask rules and etiquette questions or help with the putting, chipping or full swing stations. Anybody can volunteer – no golf experience is necessary! Please contact Becky Mormann at 630-466-0913 if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about this event.

Click here for a printable brochure.