Buffalo Grove parks board receives Master Rank

The Illinois Association of Park Districts Board Member Development Program is for board members from IAPD member park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies.

This program that began in 1997 gives recognition to those who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to better themselves as board members.

Participants accumulate Board Development Units (BDUs) for committee involvement, attendance at educational workshops, volunteer activities, meeting attendance, participation in special events and other activities on the local, state and national levels.

There are three levels one can achieve: Notable Board Member (100 BDUs), Distinctive Board Member (400 BDUs), and Master Board Member (750 BDUs).

The first Buffalo Grove Park District Board Commissioner to achieve Master Board Member was Jack Schmerer in January 2012. The following January 2013, Dr. Larry Reiner also attained the distinction.

In January 2014, Buffalo Grove Park District Board Commissioners Rick Drazner, Scott Jacobson and Adraine Johnson all reached the level of Master Board Member, making the Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners the only park board in the state of Illinois to have an entire board of commissioners at the Master Board Member level.

"This shows the commitment that we have to the staff and the community. We want to be good board members and do good things for the community," said Jack Schmerer, president of the Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners.

"The Buffalo Grove Park District is the first park district to have its entire board achieve Master Board Member status through the Illinois Association of Park Districts' Board Member Development Program," said Peter Murphy, IAPD President and CEO. "This is a most impressive testament to the dedication and spirited involvement of these commissioners. They are truly going above and beyond in working to provide excellent park services to the citizens in Buffalo Grove and throughout the state."

To learn more about the Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners, visit the Board of Commissioners page under the Information section at bgparks.org.