Naperville Park District Board president, Mary Gibson, was presented with the Master Board Member Award Saturday, Jan. 27, during the 2024 Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)/Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Soaring to New Heights Conference.
Master Board Member is the highest level in IAPD’s Board Member Development Program. To achieve this elite status, members participate in educational opportunities, participate on committees, attend events, achieve various distinctions at the local, state and national levels, and through other various endeavors. This award recognizes park district board members who consistently go above and beyond in their commitment to becoming a knowledgeable representative of their community.
“We are very proud of the effort President Gibson has put into educating herself in the park district world during her tenure as board president,” said executive director Brad Wilson. “Her dedication to the Naperville Park District is demonstrated time and again through her involvement, and she is very deserving of this recognition.”
In addition to Mary Gibson’s recognition, the Naperville Park District’s involvement was highlighted in other ways throughout the three-day conference. The agency received third place for its quarterly Digital Program Guide and tied for second place for overall table display at this year’s Agency Showcase competition, which is hosted annually by the Communications and Marketing section of IPRA.
Additionally, several Naperville Park District staff members delivered presentations covering various topics including: the partnership between human resources and marketing relating to recruiting and retention, how to develop a successful volunteer program, and facilitating a team-based approach to sponsorships and advertising.
—Naperville Park District