Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, fill out our Volunteer Interest Form
See below for qualifications and selection process info.
How Can I Get Involved?
One-Time Event Volunteer
Role: Conference Session Moderator
Selection Process & Timeline: Event Volunteer Sign-up in December of each year
Term Length: Day-Of Event
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-2 hours
Prerequisites: Conference Attendee
Role: Lifeguard Games Event Volunteer
Selection Process: Event Volunteer Sign-up
Term Length: Day-Of Event
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 Day
Prerequisites: N/A
Role: Park Pursuit Event Volunteer
Selection Process & Timeline: Event Volunteer Sign-up in March/April of each year.
Term Length: Day-Of Event
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 Day
Prerequisites: N/A
Role: Senior Games Event Volunteer
Selection Process & Timeline: Event Volunteer Sign-up in April/May of each year.
Term Length: Day-Of Event
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 Day
Prerequisites: N/A
Section Volunteer
*Opportunities available in each of the 8 sections
Role: Section Director (8 Sections)
Description: Each Section Director is responsible for overseeing all section operations in their section. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process & Timeline: Elected by Members in October of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 2-3 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, Section Leadership Experience, and Section Membership
Role: Section Education Director (8 Sections)
Description: Each Section Education Director is responsible for overseeing all section education opportunities in their section. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process & Timeline: Elected by Members in October of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 2-3 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, Section Leadership Experience, and Section Membership
Role: Section Communication Director (8 Sections)
Description: Each Section Communication Director is responsible for overseeing all section communication and networking in their section. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process & Timeline: Elected by Members in October of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 2-3 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, Section Leadership Experience, and Section Membership
Role: Awards Committee Chair (8 Sections)
Description: Each Awards Committee Chair will oversee the awards process for their section's awards. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process: Appointed by Section Director in December of each year.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 2-3 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Section Membership
Role: Conference Program Committee Co-Chair (8 Sections)
Description: There are two co-chairs per Section. Each Conference Committee Co-Chair is responsible for developing section conference session proposals, recruiting speakers to submit proposals, and representing their section on the IPRA Conference Program Committee. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process: Appointed by Section Education Director in December of each year.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: Four Meetings plus session review time
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Section Membership
Role: Section Engagement Committee Chair (8 Sections)
Description: Each Section Engagement Committee Chair will assist in promoting section events, publishing section news on IPRA Connect, recruiting new members, and developing networking/social events for their section. The eight section positions are available within Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation Section, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by Section Communication Director by December of each year.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per month
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Section Membership
Role: Special Interest Committee Chairs (Variety within 8 Sections)
Selection Process: Appointed by Section Director in December of each year.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 1-2 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Section Membership
Role: Park Pursuit Committee
Description: This event provides parks, recreation, special recreation, and conservation professionals with the opportunity to engage in a half-day race where team building, healthy competition, and recreation take center stage. The objective is for teams to complete a series of mental and physical challenges in a race to finish the course ahead of the competition.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by Committee in September of each year.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and REC Section Membership
Education Volunteer
Role: C&M Summit Board of Regents
Description: This program brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators for a one-day workshop to explore the latest trends, strategies, and tools in communication and marketing.
Selection Process: Application-Based
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and C&M Section Member
Role: Diversity Education Institute Board of Regents
Description: This event is designed to provide students and professionals of all experience levels a curriculum that increases DEI awareness and identifies tools to assist in the process of operationalizing DEI at their agency.
Selection Process: Application-Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen by May of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: 1 day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Diversity Section Member
Role: Facility Management Workshop Board of Regents
Description: This event is a unique program designed to provide practitioners of all experience levels a curriculum that identifies tools to become a better facility manager and enhance operational efficiencies at various facilities.
Selection Process: Application-Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen by November of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, FM Section Membership, and Past Attendee
Role: HR Symposium Committee
Description: This event presents a unique opportunity for professionals in the Parks, Recreation, and Conservation field to enrich their knowledge and skills in human resources management. In addition to enriching presentations, the event will feature a Vendor Expo, bustling with businesses and resources tailored for HR professionals seeking to elevate their agency's HR practices. This event only takes place every three years.
Selection Process: Appointed by Committee
Timeline: This event is on a 3-year rotation and will not be recruiting volunteers until 2027.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, A&F Section / HR Committee Member, and Event Topic Knowledge
Role: IPRA University Committee
Description: Responsible for guiding the development, implementation, and ongoing management of IPRA’s Learning Management System (LMS). The committee ensures that educational content aligns with the needs of members, maintains high-quality standards, and supports professional growth within the industry.
Selection Process: Application Based
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 6, 1-hr virtual meetings per year
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Professional Development School Board of Regents
Description: "PDS" provides professionals with the opportunity to experience high-quality education in a small, student-focused atmosphere. This unique program focuses on the skills, knowledge base, and networking needed for personal development and career advancement so as to sustain and better the agency and community they serve.
Selection Process: Application-Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen onsite at the conclusion of the event in November.
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 3-day event plus 7 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Members and PDS Graduate
Role: ProConnect Board of Regents
Description: This program offers a dynamic "give-and-receive" experience, fostering meaningful connections among early-career, mid-career, and advanced professionals across parks and recreation, conservation, and forest preserve industries. Whether its career advancement, supporting others in their growth, or enhancing your networking skills, this program provides a collaborative space to build a support network that empowers the professional journey.
Selection Process: Application-Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen by June of each year.
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 4 events plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member and Past Attendee
Role: Safety Committee Workshop Committee
Description: This event offers a full day of continuing education for professionals that work on their agency's Safety Committee. The day will consist of a keynote, two breakout sessions, a Safety Professionals Panel, and a Safety Vendor Exhibit Hall. This event only takes place once every three years.
Selection Process: Appointed by Committee
Timeline: This event is on a 3-year rotation and will not be recruiting volunteers until 2028.
Term Length: 1-Year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, A&F Section / Risk Management Committee Membership, and Event Topic Knowledge
Role: SafeZone Conversation Facilitator
Description: SafeZone Conversations (SZC) are elective opportunities for individuals and organizations to strengthen their awareness of and confidence in addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. SZC Facilitators promote nonjudgmental discussions of sensitive and nuanced topics with the purpose of fostering mutual respect between professionals from various backgrounds. Facilitators will encourage critical thinking and real-world application with scenario-based prompts.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA staff and current facilitators
Term Length: Unspecified (Annual)
Approximate Time Commitment: 2-hour sessions, quarterly and as-needed
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, Diversity Section Member
Role: Software Symposium Committee
Description: This event provides participants a variety of software vendors exhibiting various park district software needs, including HRIS, Time & Attendance/Work Force Management, Finance, Maintenance, Video Surveillance, Recreation software, and much more. Vendors will conduct 30-minute demonstrations, in which participants can attend at their choice. Vendors will also be available at designated tables through the day to visit for more information. This event only takes place every three years.
Selection Process: Appointed by Committee
Timeline: This event is on a 3-year rotation and will not be recruiting volunteers until 2026.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment:1-day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, A&F Section / IT Networking Committee Member, and Event Topic Knowledge
Role: Supervisor Symposium Board of Regents
Description: New and partially-seasoned professionals (and students) will be provided with opportunities to learn skills and emerging trends that can be implemented immediately at their agency.
Selection Process: Application Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen by August of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment:1 day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, REC Section Member, and Past Attendee
Role: TR Leadership Summit Board of Regents
Description: This event offers a full day of continuing education for professionals that work in and around special recreation.
Selection Process: Application Based
Timeline: Applicants will be chosen by December of each year.
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-day event plus 5 planning meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member, TR Section Membership, and Past Attendee
IPRA Committee & Board Volunteer
Role: IPRA Board of Directors
Selection Process & Timeline: Elected by Members in October of each year.
Term Length: 3-years
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 2-3 hours per month, plus meetings
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member for 3 Years, CPRP/E Certified or comparable certification, and past volunteer leadership experience
Role: Joint Conference Committee
Description: JCC provides association involvement and direction for the annual conference program including planning, implementation, and follow-up of specific events and activities designed for association members and attendees. The annual conference serves as an educational forum for professionals and board members to strengthen the knowledge base for those who attend.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: 5-Years
Approximate Time Commitment:1-2 hours per month, more during conference season
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Joint Distinguished Park & Recreation Agency Committee
Description: The goal of this committee is to improve the delivery of recreation services to the residents of Illinois through a voluntary comprehensive evaluation process.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: Varies
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-10 hours per month (depending on time of year)
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Joint Editorial Committee
Description: Publishes a bi-monthly magazine and an annual directory of park and recreation agencies, board members, and professionals. JEBC ensures that all publications are of professional quality to meet the needs of the IAPD and IPRA memberships.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: Varies
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per month
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Joint Exhibits Committee
Description: This committee assists IAPD/IPRA staff with online remote booth sales, move in/out, exhibitor registration, badging, show floor assistance, security, execution of the tradeshow and trouble shooting. The committee meets twice a year. Committee works with drayage
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board by December of each year.
Term Length: Varies
Approximate Time Commitment: Large time commitment during conference
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Joint Legislative Committee
Description: JLC studies existing and proposed state and national legislation, keeps members districts up-do-date on all matters affecting their respective jurisdictions; and recommends Board action on those matters not presenting possibilities of conflict between member districts. The JLC acts on behalf of the association’s position before state and federally elected officials and all other appropriate legislative bodies.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: Varies
Approximate Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per month
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Agency Showcase Committee
Description: The Agency Showcase is a spirited competition spotlighting bright ideas exhibited by park, recreation, and conservation agencies. This professionally judged competition recognizes Illinois agencies for their marketing and communication efforts ranging from print to multimedia.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by Committee in December of each year.
Term Length: Varies
Approximate Time Commitment: 2-day event plus planning meetings, 20 hours total
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Finance Committee
Description: Monitors IPRA finances, budget, audit and makes financial recommendations to the IPRA Board of Directors.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: 5-years
Approximate Time Commitment: Approximately 6-8 hours total in August/September/October each year
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member in Finance
Role: Governance Committee
Description: The Governance Committee shall ensure that minimum Board Standards are met by each candidate and make recommendation to the Past Chair for who is eligible to be slated on the ballot.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in May of each year.
Term Length: 1-year
Approximate Time Commitment: Approx 5 Hours Total
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: Health & Wellness Committee
Description: The Health & Wellness Committee promotes a culture of health, wellness, and mental well-being within the park, recreation, and conservation field. The committee is responsible for administering the Exceptional Workplace Award, hosting quarterly meetings to share best practices and strategies, coordinating wellness activities during the IAPD/IPRA Conference, and providing educational resources focused on mental health.
Selection Process & Timeline: Appointed by IPRA Board in December of each year.
Term Length: 3-Years
Approximate Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per month, more during conference season
Prerequisites: IPRA Professional Member
Role: IPRA Ambassadors
Description: IPRA Ambassadors serve as enthusiastic representatives of the park, recreation, and conservation profession - helping to inspire the next generation of professionals by sharing their personal career journey and insights. As an IPRA Ambassador, you'll have the opportunity to visit local high schools, colleges, or career events to speak about your career pathway and your role at your park, recreation, or conservation agency. Whether your work is in programming, marketing, finance, HR, natural resource, or facility management, your story will help students understand and imagine the wide range of meaningful careers available in the field.
Selection Process & Timeline: Application based, applicants will be notified of their program acceptance and scheduled as necessary.
Term Length: 1-year (Rolling)
Approximate Time Commitment: 2-3 hours at various time throughout the year, flexible based on your availability and location
Prerequisites: Current IPRA Individual Member employed at a park, recreation, or conservation agency.