The Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, which through the action of its members, continuously strives to fulfill the following mission:

The Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance will provide professional support and guidance to educators throughout the state as they develop and conduct educational programs.

The purposes of the Association are:

1. support, encourage, and provide guidance for members throughout the state as they seek to develop and conduct school and community programs in health education, physical education, recreation and dance based upon the needs, interests, and inherent capacities of the individual and the society of which he is a part,
   
   
2. to facilitate cooperation among the fields of health education, physical education, recreation and dance to further their mutual improvement,
   
   
3. to enhance the effectiveness of health education, physical education, recreation and dance in the promotion of healthy lifestyles,
   
   
4. to increase public understanding and appreciation of the importance and value of the fields health education, physical education, recreation and dance,
   
   
5. to encourage and disseminate research in the fields of health education, physical education, recreation and dance,
   
   
6. to further the continuous evaluations of professional standards and educational programs,
   
   
7. to conduct and coordinate professional educational opportunities within the Association,
   
   
8. to provide information through a variety of publications, media service and professional meetings for the improvement of education,
   
   
9. to provide representation for Illinois membership in regional and national associations regarding professional concerns and to facilitate cooperation among these groups,
   
   
10. to network with professional groups, within the state, having similar interest for the ultimate development of mutually desirable goals,
    
    
11. and to represent the interests of children, parents and teachers regarding legislation in the areas of health education, physical education, recreation and dance.

The five priorities for IAHPERD are:

• ADVOCACY (be the voice of the organization and its members)
  • Public relations and promotion
  • State-related legislative efforts
  • Build relationships with 'outside' organizations

• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  • Provide mentoring and leadership opportunities for future professionals
  • Provide and promote 'education' opportunities for professionals (convention, conferences, workshops)
  • Provide members with professional literature (On The Move, JOURNAL, links to web sites)

• MEMBERSHIP
  • Promote benefits of membership
  • Retention of members

• QUALITY CONTROL MECHANISMS
  • Follow trends in education and disseminate information
  • Promote the use of the Illinois Goals and Standards for Physical Development and Health
  • Stay abreast of and promote the use of 'new' technologies to enhance learning
  • Encourage and promote research
  • Ensure that instructional requirements for physical education and health are reviewed, revised and maintained

• BUDGET
  • Allocation of funds
  • Consideration and changes in usage of funds