2026 ProConnect Mentor Application - Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

2026 ProConnect Mentor 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 MENTOR) in a beneficial mentoring “triad” relationship.

Before Starting the Application

There are three 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 prepared 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.

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Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Title *

Organization *

Phone *

Work phone.

Email *

Work email.

Address Line 1 *

Work Address

Address Line 2

Work Address

City *

Work City

Postal Code *

Work Postal Code

City *

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

Years in Parks & Recreation Field *

Years in Current Role *

Full-Time Experience in Other Fields (if applicable)

Supervisor's Name *

The name of your immediate supervisor.

Supervisor's Email *

Dietary Restrictions

Professional

Biography *

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.

I understand I'm applying to be a MENTOR in the ProConnect Mentorship Program. *

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Background Mentors

Higher Education (institution, major, and year of graduation) *

Parks & Recreation Trainings, Certifications, Accreditations *

List the career positions you have held. What are your career goals for the next five years? *

Why do you feel you would be a good mentor? *

What do you think a mentee can learn from you? *

If deemed appropriate for me, I would be willing to serve as a Mentee instead of a Mentor.

Leave unchecked if your answer is "NO".

I would be open to a student joining my triad for an event.

Leave unchecked if your answer is "NO".

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Program Dates & Acknowledgement

2026 Events for ProConnect *

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

Fee Acknowledgement *

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

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

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