President’s Greeting

SRAPPA 2007 CONFERENCE
COVINGTON, KY

I thank my predecessors for passing on an organization that is in a strong financial position, boasts an active and interested membership and is committed to education and training for all members. This organization can also be proud that many or our individual members and member institutions have been recognized for service, leadership and innovation at the national level, most recently this past July as APPA award winners:

Dr. Sam Polk, Meritorious Service Award
Marion Bracy and Ron Brooks, the APPA Pacesetter Award
UNC Charlotte received an Effective and Innovative Practice Award
North Carolina State University received the APPA Award for Excellence

SRAPPA’s leadership at the national level is evidenced by the fact that past SRAPPA Presidents have gone on to serve as APPA presidents: Brooks Baker, Jack Colby, and current President-Elect Bill Elvey. In addition, SRAPPA has and continues to be ably represented on a variety of APPA committees and boards.

As is stated in my comments at the banquet Tuesday night after assuming office, I wanted to keep my comments that evening short, but post my thoughts for the coming year on the website for information and distribution. Many of the goals and initiatives of my recent predecessors will be continued, and are listed below. In addition, I would like to see active state organizations in every state and area within the SRAPPA footprint. Only through involvement at the state and local level, then through the region and then through the national and international level can the basic message of APPA be given, heard, understood and applied.

One major effort this year will be to get the Tool-Kit program off the ground and begin to get our trainers selected and trained. SRAPPA has made a significant commitment to pressing ahead with this initiative, and in tandem with our scholarship and awards program, will be able to offer a multi-level educational opportunity to members.

Another initiative that could have long term implications is our contract with MRA Services to provide event planning services to assist with putting on our annual conference at The Medical University of South Carolina in 2008. This upcoming event will be monitored closely and progress and results discussed in detail at the April and October Board meetings.

There are several areas where continued coordination and cooperation between APPA and SRAPPA will continue. One is the fundamental relationship within SRAPPA regarding the relationship between SRAPPA and the state chapters. Another is to continue to explore areas where APPA and SRAPPA can be more aligned regarding function and operations. The initiatives taken by APPA to prepare certification classes, EFP and CEFP are commendable and SRAPPA must explore ways in which we can be supportive of these programs.

Initiatives of my predecessors will be continued. Active support for voting in APPA elections, encourage full participation by member institutions in the Caribbean area, continue efforts to improve our diversity and HBCU participation, support education and scholarship opportunities, maintain and improve relationships with our business partners, review our constitution and by-laws for clarity and efficiency, stewardship of SRAPPA funds.

I wish to thank those board members with whom I have served. Your example and camaraderie have been invaluable, and a reason to keep coming back. A special thanks to Bob McMains who is moving off the board this year. Thanks Bob, I look forward to a continued association. I look forward to moving forward with SRAPPA during the coming year.

Glenn Reynolds
President
SRAPPA