Sunday April 16th
5:30-8:00pm
Dinner and Opening Session, Social
Begin IU EDP by meeting fellow EDP classmates, Alumni and the EDP Board of Trustees during out welcome dinner and the opening session. A social will follow the opening session.
Opening Session
Why be normal? Focusing on our Why.
Join Phil Gaines as he welcomes the 2023 participants with a timely discussion on the value of leadership in an everchanging world. This interactive keynote session will capture the importance recognizing challenges and opportunities for leaders while seeking opportunities for improvement in this new era for the parks and recreation field. The opening session will reinforce our values, motivations and the importance of the WHY of what we do.
Monday, April 17th
8:30-11:30am
1st Year Students
Customer Service 2.0: The customer is not always right! Now what?
This session will go beyond the standard customer service approaches and look at customer service in a different light. Recognizing the need to stay relevant in an everchanging world, while focusing on developing a service culture that is true to your mission and core values rather than just “training” employees. At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to:
Identify "disruptive innovations" that have changed the way we deliver park and recreation services. Identify techniques that empower employees to deliver customer service even when the customer is wrong. And … Utilize customer service to improve business, advocacy and to STAY Relevant!
Speaker: Phil Gaines, Professor of Practice, Clemson University
8:30-11:30am
2nd Year Students
Equity-Parks Serve Everyone
Equity—What does this mean for park systems? Issues of racial inequality are at the forefront today as our country becomes more diverse. We hear a lot about inequities in police interactions, housing, education and access to jobs. The gap between rich and poor is also growing, especially in cities. Do park systems and park agencies have a role in addressing issues of racial and economic equity? What do we need to consider? This session will explore strategies for addressing equitable access to parks and the equitable provision of recreation programs and facilities as demographics of this country change. Learn how to use unique local circumstances and park and community metrics to make funding decisions, address community interests and access park and programming needs.
Speaker:Jayne Miller—Jayne Miller Consulting
1-4:15pm
1st Year Students
Risky Business: How to Manage It
Risky Business isn't just legal jargon; it is full of real cases that have affected parks and recreation professionals. A panel of park professionals will share and discuss actual cases, the good, the bad and the ugly. Learn how to manage risk in your facilities, parks and program. Discussion focuses on preventing accidents and property loss and how to counteract excessive legal claims.
Panel Coordinators: IU EDP Board of Trustees
1-4:15pm
2nd Year Students
Power, Politics and Working with Elected Officials
Elected and appointed officials play a critical role in determining public expenditures and overall support for parks and recreation. As professionals, it is important to understand how local and state government officials view and prioritize these services. A panel of park and recreation leaders and administrators will discuss navigating the everchanging landscape of power and politics and reflect of their experiences and expertise in working with elected officials at the local and state levels.
Panel Speakers: Dan Bortner Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Paula McDevitt Administrator,City of Bloomington,Parks & Recreation Department and Mick Renneisen Former Deputy Mayor- City of Bloomington, IN
Tuesday April 18th
8:30-11:30am
1st Year Students
Leading When Promoted from Within
Leadership roles are challenging, whether you come new into an organization or if you are promoted from within. What does it mean to be promoted into a leadership position from within your organization? This leadership session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities for individuals who are promoted from within while addressing the impact on relationships with colleagues who are no longer peers, drawing appropriate lines with others, holding others responsible, providing clear discernment on what you can give staff and what they need to do for themselves, understanding influential vs position power and more.
Speaker:Jayne Miller, Jayne Miller Consulting
8:30-11:30am
2nd Year Students
Data is Your Friend
If you are like most, you are uncomfortable with data. When you hear things like “analytics and data-driven decision making” we likely will see your backside headed towards the door. Research tells us that this resistance for is grounded in a general fear of accountability. The reality is that those who work in service driven professions likes parks and recreation can sometimes find it hard to focus on data. If we can allow ourselves to think differently about “the data” we can begin to see the benefits a bit more clearly and replace fear and anxiety with optimism and a better understanding of what it can do to help us in our work.
Speaker: Jamie Sabbach, Consultant- President & CEO 110%, Inc.
1-4:15pm
1st and 2nd Year Students
Challenging Traditional Approaches
What practices and experiences can you share with your fellow IU EDP classmates? What issues are impacting you and your agency? This joint session is an opportunity for you to call the sessions you want to, and be part of the conversations you need to. Using a technique from the Art of Hosting, you’ll host roundtable discussions that allow you to network, learn and share with other attendees, board members and instructors. This will give you the opportunity to interact with many professionals from across the country on subjects important to you, providing you needed resources to navigate change and make improvements. If you’re in need of a solution or inspiration, bring a topic with you to discuss!
Session Facilitator: Jackie O’Connell Executive Director, MetroParks of Butler County OH
Wednesday April 19th
8:00-11:15am
1st Year Students
Shift Keeps Happening
Shift has been happening – and just keeps happening. Economic shifts are dramatic with increased volatility and uncertainty. Demographic shifts have led to more diverse citizenries. Technological shifts make it hard to keep up. Environmental shifts have left few immune to impacts. While these ongoing shifts present us with challenges, do they also present us with an opportunity to revisit what we do and how we do it so that our systems become more resilient and stronger for the citizens of 2050?
Speaker:Jamie Sabbach, Consultant- President & CEO 110% , Inc.
8:00-11:15am
2nd Year Students
Recruitment, Retention and Relevancy: How do we move from best practices to next practices?
Creating a successful talent pipeline in parks and recreation is no easy task. The ability to attract and retain professionals that are committed to the field is becoming increasingly more challenging. Employment rates, demographic shifts, automation, enhanced technology and societal change will impact the current and future ways that we address our hiring practices. This interactive session will address new approaches to recruiting and retaining staff while also addressing the unique opportunities that parks and recreation departments have in building a successful team.
Speakers:Becky Higgins Recreation Services Director, Parks & Recreation Department-City of Bloomington, IN and Julie Knapp Clinical Assistant Professor and EDP Director- Indiana University