Standard: There shall be ongoing liaison roles with complementary organizations, such as nearby park and recreation agencies, social service organizations, and other governmental units and regulatory bodies.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide evidence of cooperative efforts, including a list of staff with liaison responsibility. This information may be evidenced through Memoranda of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, Cooperative Agreements, etc.
Informational reference in the Management of Park and Recreation Agencies, (2010), 3rd Ed., Chapter 2 – Management and the Law, p. 28; Chapter 4 – Politics and Advocacy, p. 66; Chapter 6 – Partnerships, pp. 95-110; Chapter 7 – Planning for Strategic Management, pp. 110-122.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
The Park District of Oak Park recognizes the importance of working with local governments and other community organizations as evidenced by the Cooperation with Community Organizations Policy1. As part of the development of the 2015-2024 Park District of Oak Park Comprehensive Master Plan process, over 60 Partnership Examples2 were collected demonstrating how the Park District has partnered with local agencies for the greater good of the community.
The Executive Director serves as the liaison to other governmental entities, including those that the Park District has formal intergovernmental agreements with:
- School District 973
- School District 2004
Additionally, Park District commissioners and staff serve as liaison to community groups and also as representatives of the Park District on several committees and boards. In 2012, the Board of Commissioners formalized this process in a memo which outlined Commissioner Representation Roles5 that would be covered by the 5 commissioners. Other examples include:
| Organization(s) | Park District Commissioner/Staff | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pioneering Health Community | Jan Arnold, Executive Director | Team Member6 |
| Management Council | Jan Arnold, Executive Director | Council Member7 |
| Rotary Club of Oak Park-River Forest | Jan Arnold, Executive Director | Member8 |
| Collaboration for Early Childhood | Amanda Heiman, Program Manager | Partner9 |
| Community Business Manager | Kyle Cratty, Director of Finance | Member10 |
Documentation:
- 01.07.00_Cooperation-with-Community-Organizations-Policy.pdf
- 01.07.00_Partnership-Examples-in-Comprehensive-Master-Plan.pdf
- 01.07.00_School-District-97-Intergovernmental-Agreement.pdf
- 01.07.00_School-District-200-Intergovernmental-Agreement.pdf
- 01.07.00_Commissioner-Representation-Roles.pdf
- link to Wild About Wellness' Pioneering Healthy Community Team
- 01.07.00_Management-Council-Participation.pdf
- 01.07.00_Evidence-of-Rotary-Membership.pdf
- link to Collaboration for Early Childhood Partners
- 01.07.00_Community-Business-Managers-Meetings-and-Members.pdf
Agency Self Assessment: MET