Online registration is now closed.
If you have not registered you can still join us at the conference & register onsite, however, we can not guarantee a lunch at this time.
After three years of being virtual, the 2024 Park Advisory Council Conference will be back in person. Presented by the Chicago Park District in collaboration with our Park Advisory Council (PAC) Partners, this FREE conference will be a day of networking, workshops and resources for PACs from across Chicago. Park volunteers will assemble for this annual conference to learn best practices from experts, network with their fellow PAC members, and be inspired by the work Park Advisory Councils are doing in parks across Chicago.
Park Advisory Councils (PAC) are the community voice for neighborhood parks, children’s playgrounds, beaches and natural areas. They work to advocate, support, enhance, and partner with the Chicago Park District on behalf of their parks. PAC’s make a measurable and profound difference in their parks.
This year’s theme, Power in People, will highlight the work PACs and the Chicago Park District do to create community and unity in their parks. For more than two decades, PACs, dog friendly area advocates, and community groups have worked to bring volunteers, special events, programs and funding to their parks.
CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Fingerprinting | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
All PAC officers and any PAC member who works with youth or or handles finances is required to be fingerprinted! Accurate Biometrics will be on site to conduct fingerprinting at this year's conference
SESSION 1 | 9:00 am- 9:45 am
- True North - Strategies and Tools for Developing Your PAC's Mission & Vision Statement
Your mission and vision statements are the "why", the true north, for your PAC. The Chicago Park District's Arts & Culture Unit (ACU) will share best practices and tools for PAC's seeking to create or refresh mission and vision statements, along with helpful tips for partnering with your local park.
- Building Bridges and Creating Community
Since the formation of PACs there has been turn over and rebuilding. Learn how PACs can build bridges and create community in times of transition.
- Small Parks… Big Ideas
Just because your park is under 20 acres and may not have a fieldhouse that does not stop PACs from activating their spaces. Hear from PACs from smaller locations and how they activate their spaces.
- Collaboration
PACs can't do it alone. Join Maceo Johnson, Area Manager and the Mandrake PAC and learn how they collaborate to help their parks.
SESSION 2 | 10:00 am- 11:00 am
- Tips for Deescalating Conflict
Learn strategies from Workplace Solutions take a journey to assess and learn what you can do differently, and how to "play nice in the sandbox" with a wide variety of people to increase your productivity.
- PAC 101
Whether you are a new PAC or need a refresher this primer will cover best practices for PACs. Hear from a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary on how they perform their functions.
- Special Events for PACs
Special events are the bread and butter of a lot of PACs. Hear how three PACs host special events in their parks. Regardless of your park situation there are models of events for you!
- Making Meetings for Everyone
PACs follow Roberts Rules of Order at their meetings. Learn who Robert is and how to use his rules in running a meeting.
SESSION 3 | 11:15 am- 11:45 am
- Is it Capital or Facilities?
When there are repairs that need to made in the park it falls into two categories facilities management or capital improvement. Learn the process of park repairs and how the capital budget works and how PACs can advocate and be involved in helping prioritize capital improvements in their parks.
- Bringing Wellness to your Park
Parks and green spaces are wellness hubs. Learn how PACs can bring wellness opportunities to their parks. From health fairs, walking clubs, to birding there is a lot PAC can offer!
- Taking Great Photos
Pictures say a thousand words. Learn how to take great pictures of PAC events and parks from a professional photographer.
- Fundraising Brain Storm
Join the Chicago Parks Foundation for a fundraising brain storm! You will walk away with 3 ideas to fundraise for your PAC and park.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS | 12:00 pm- 12:30 pm
Dr. Decoteau J. Irby, Ph.D.: Professor, Activist, Writer, Creator, PAC Leader. Hear from Dr. Irby on the power in people.
LUNCH & LEARN | 12:50 pm- 1:30 pm
Sponsored by the Chicago Parks Foundation, stay for a working lunch. Sit at a topic table and collaborate with fellow attendees on topics that you learned about earlier in the day. Bon Appetite!