HR0403 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0403 LRB102 18990 LAW 27718 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Richard J. "Rick" Wulbecker on the occasion of his retirement from the Belvidere Township Park District; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker received his associate's degree from William Rainey Harper College in 1979; he earned his Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park Administration with a minor in Physical Education (Coaching) from Illinois State University in 1981; he also graduated from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Professional Development School; he is a National Youth Coaches Effectiveness Certified Instructor; he is also certified in CPR, AED, First Aid, and BASSET; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker began his career in parks and recreation as the athletic supervisor for the Wheeling Park District, where he worked from 1982 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker served as an athletic supervisor, the facility manager of the Willow Recreation/Racquet Center, the facility manager of the Blackhawk Community/Fitness Center, and the community pool facility manager for the Hoffman Estates Park District from 1983 to 2000; during his tenure, he oversaw adult/youth athletic leagues, preschool to adult martial arts programs, youth/adult arts and crafts programs, seasonal sports tournaments, program budgets, and staff training and evaluations; he was also responsible for facility budgets and customer service staff training and evaluations; he coordinated public relations and promotions, purchasing, concessions, merchandise sales, and inventories; he helped with the development of building design, building policies and procedures, and staff orientation for the opening of Blackhawk Community Center; he also managed the Willow Skate Park; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker became the athletic director of the Hanover Park District in 2000; he served until 2003, and his duties included being responsible for youth/adult athletic programs and special events, developing and organizing program budgets, and coordinating and evaluating all athletic programs, contractual programs, camps, and special events; he then served as superintendent of Recreation from 2003 to 2016, where he was responsible for the Recreation Department and Seafari Springs Aquatic Family Center facility operation, managed and coordinated community center building supervisor staff, and coordinated the PDRMA Loss Control Accreditation process, college student internship program, LCAP/SHARE high school community programs, and the IPRA Joint Purchase program; he also served as a legislative liaison and a member of the Safety Committee; he was promoted to executive director in 2016, and he was directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the entire agency while carrying out policies adopted by the Park District Board of Commissioners and communicating them to the Hanover Park District employees and community until 2017; his notable achievements included leading the park district's strategic plan for 2011 and 2016, creating and emceeing the Annual Park District Staff Appreciation Dinner Event, serving as the park district's FOIA officer and notary public, and negotiating two cricket associations to multi-year rental agreements and the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA)/Clearbrook Pursuit 2 program to be located at the park district; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker has served as the superintendent of Recreation of the Belvidere Township Park District since 2018, where he has been responsible for the Recreation Department, the Rivers Edge Recreation Center, the William Grady Pool, the Doty Park Splashpad, the Prairie Fields Sports Park, the Riverside Ice Arena, and the Baltic Mill facilities operation; his duties included creating and monitoring budgets, program development, staff training and evaluation, customer service staff, registration, marketing, purchasing, and building/field/aquatic rentals; he also coordinated PDRMA Loss Control Accreditation process and served as a state legislative liaison, school district liaison, Safety Committee member, Boone County Arts Council member, and Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce member; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker has belonged to a number of organizations, including the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), the Suburban Park and Recreation Association (SPRA), and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); he has attended Illinois Association of Park Districts and IPRA state conferences since 1981; he attended NRPA national conferences in 1983, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008; and

WHEREAS, Rick Wulbecker has dedicated his life to serving park districts and local communities over a 35-year career; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Richard J. "Rick" Wulbecker on his retirement from the Belvidere Township Park District, thank him for his years of service, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rick Wulbecker as an expression of our esteem and respect.