IAPD Commissioner of the Year Award – FREE NOMINATION!

The recipient of the Commissioner of the Year Award will have shown outstanding qualities to support and promote parks, recreation and conservation in his or her community, as well as throughout the state.

Criteria:

The recipient must:
1) Be an elected official and member of IAPD.

2) Have served a minimum of 6 years as a member of a local board.

3) Demonstrate skills in dealing with people (public, media, legislators), a true desire to serve while accepting personal sacrifices, and the ability to stimulate community action while maintaining the highest integrity in ethics.

4) Have helped to carry out the IAPD mission: "The IAPD is a non-profit service, research and education organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies. The association advances these agencies, their citizen board members and professional staff in their ability to provide outstanding park and recreation opportunities, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois." This can be promoting IAPD through the legislative process, volunteering at IAPD events, serving as a lecturer or panel member at IAPD programs, or participating on an IAPD committee or its board of trustees.

Application must include typed biography of contributions and accomplishments (1-3 pages.)  E-mail application as a .pdf to IAPD Public Relations Director Bobbie Jo Hill no later than noon on Friday, November 2, 2012.

Past Recipients of the Commissioner of the Year Award
1982 - Robert Nicholas, Bensenville Park District
1983 - Donald F. Bresnan, Champaign Park District
1984 - Peter Koukos, Park District of Highland Park
1985 - Morgan Powell, Champaign Park District
1986 - Robert Cole, Decatur Park District
1987 - Bonnie Noble, Peoria Park District
1988 - Michael Cassidy, Freeport Park District
1989 - Eugene Pomerance, Elmhurst Park District
1990 - Ralph Cianchette, Park District of Highland Park
1991 - Michael Curtis, Carbondale Park District
1992 - Bruce Larson, Urbana Park District
1993 - Ron Lehman, Channahon Park District
1994 - William Sherman, Jr., Downers Grove Park District
1995 - Donald Jessen, Addison Park District
1996 - Judith Beck, Glenview Park District
1997 - Waldon Degner, Palatine Park District
1998 - Phyllis Cossarek, Wilmette Park District
1999 - Fred Hohnke, Woodridge Park District
2000 - Oscar Dahl, Northbrook Park District
2001 - Michael S. Gilfillan, Arlington Heights Park District
2002 - James L. Shook, Round Lake Area Park District
2003 - Mary Garrison, Winnetka Park District
2004 - Millie Keith, Freeport Park District
2005 - Dennis Flanagin, Lan-Oak Park District
2006 - Timothy J. Cassidy, Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria
2007 - David Mason, DeKalb Park District
2008 - Mary Ann Chambers, Northbrook Park District
2009 - Ann Austin, Rock Island Parks & Recreation Department
2010 - Scott Triphahn, Hoffman Estates Park District
2011 - Edward Karasek, Berwyn Park District

This award will be presented Friday, January 25, 2013 during the All-Conference Luncheon at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.