Guest Speaker: Jason Mangum

 

Jason Mangum says working in the field of parks and recreation isn't just about fields, facilities and programs...it's about helping people who need something to connect them with the community.

 

Mangum is the Executive Director of the DeKalb Park District; he started his career in Arizona after graduating from college, taking charge of a local park district's recreation program.  From there, he worked his way into upper management; he's been a director at several park districts in Arizona, as well as one in Michigan, before coming to DeKalb.

 

He recounted stories about youths who had not direction or activity in their lives, who needed something to not only occupy their time...but to get them to come out of their personal shells, and begin to interact and develop real relationships with others.  He says this is the most important function of a park district; by providing activities to youths and adults, a park district program gives them a way to get over their shyness, their resistance to getting involved with others, and provides a chance to become more involved with their community and their own futures.

 

Jason is currently a member of the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club, and works closely with our own Dan Gibble on projects which directly affect both their respective park districts.