Palatine-area park employees win awards

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association recently awarded Jonelle Bailey, superintendent of recreation at Salt Creek Rural Park District, the Diversity Section’s Rising Star Award, and Joan Scovic, marketing coordinator for Palatine Park District, the Communication and Marketing Section’s Professional of the Year Award.

The association consists of seven sections and their subcommittees. During 2013, Bailey served as the secretary for the Diversity Section, was active with several committees, and was instrumental in the development of the vision, goals and direction of the section. According to her nominator, Bailey is “professional, dependable, intelligent, independent, organized, personable, hardworking, educated, reliable, and dedicated. But the number one quality that she has to offer is passion.

During 2013, Scovic served as the director of association’s Communications and Marketing Section. In that role, she helped plan educational, networking, and professional opportunities for section members, increased meeting attendance, and increased communication with the section through a variety of methods.

The mission of the association is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities. Visit www.ilipra.org for more information.