2026 ProConnect Mentee Application




The IPRA vision for the ProConnect Mentorship Program is to create an innovative partnership between three people based on their commitment to the mentoring process, common goals/expectations, mutual trust, and respect. Mentoring is a “give and receive” process to provide a rich and rewarding group experience for early career, mid-level career, and advanced/retired professionals. We ask you to share all your information so the ProConnect Board of Regents can match you (as a MENTEE) in a beneficial mentoring “triad” relationship. 


Before Starting the Application

There are four pages to the on-line application, so plan on spending approximately 10-15 minutes to complete it. Make sure you have a 150-word biography and your supervisor's approval to participate in the program.


Fee to Participate (invoiced in January 2026)

IPRA Member: $150

Non-Member: $225


The ProConnect Mentorship Program participant fee covers the full cost of participation for one participant, and it is used for various things such as speaker honorariums, activity fees, facility rental fees, food and beverage, and participant pins and certificates. 


Deadline to complete application is Friday, January 9, 2026. For questions, contact ProConnect Chair Mark Dolphin at mdolphin@palatineparks.org. 



Fields marked with an * are required.

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.

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Contact Information

Work Phone

Work Email

Work Address

Work Address

Work City

Work Zip

Place you reside. We ask this question with the understanding that sometimes you'll start your day from home as opposed to work.

The name of your immediate supervisor.

Professional

Applicants must submit a 150-word biography written in 3rd person, and it should focus on higher education, current and former professional positions, certifications, and career accomplishments. This information will be published in the guidebook given to all participants.

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Background Mentees

Leave unchecked if your answer is "NO".

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Preferences & Interests

Disclosure: The ProConnect Board of Regents will do its best to pair you with your preferences, but it can't make any guarantees.

Get the most out of my current role.
Support others in their professional journey.
Receive support in my search for a new job.
Network more effectively.
Position myself for career advancement.

Disclosure: The ProConnect Board of Regents will do its best to pair you with your preferences, but it can't make any guarantees.

Administration & Finance
Communications & Marketing
Diversity
Facility Management
Forest Preserve and Conservation Symposium
Parks & Natural Resource Management
Recreation
Therapeutic Recreation

Disclosure: The ProConnect Board of Regents will do its best to pair you with your preferences, but it can't make any guarantees.

Executive Director / Director
Superintendent / Department Head
Manager / Supervisor
No Preference

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Program Dates & Acknowledgement

By typing "YES" in the box below, I acknowledge I am committed to attending all 5 events listed below. Length of events is typically 2-2.5 hours and falls between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CST.

  • Event 1 (Mentor / Mentee Training): Wednesday, February 18, 2026
  • Event 2: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
  • Event 3: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  • Event 4: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
  • Event 5 (Commencement): Wednesday, May 13, 2026

By typing "YES" in the box below, I acknowledge that I'm responsible for paying a participation fee based on my membership status with IPRA.

  • IPRA Members: $150 / person
  • Non-Members: $225 / person