06/24/2014
Last President's Letter from Wendy Snavely, CAP-OM.
In June 2013, the Chapter Officers were installed to a theme of Keys. That day I shared many keys I had learned on this road we call life - both personal and with the IAAP world.
Those keys still stand true today. However, with this closing letter, a Key recently popped into my head that is new to many of us in the IAAP world - the Key of Fear. Fear of the unknown and change.
Recently we all know many changes have been announced by IAAP. And, for many of us, that brought fear, frustration, and anger, and had thrown us into another new Key - the Key of Doubt. The Key of Doubt is strong right now for many, and many are questioning what to do, or how to move forward in this organization.
As we find our new path in the Revitalization world, I ask that you stop and think. Some of us have had many years with IAAP and have undergone many changes just as any organization tends to go through. Our workplaces, our churches, our clubs - they have all had to endure changes. Why are we so quick to give up on this change? Why do we
fear what may come? What will we have to show if we just quit? For those of you who are new to the organization, welcome to life in IAAP! We are an organization with growing pains, and while we as members try to figure out what that organizational change is, we hope you stick with us, your friends here at the Hershey Chapter, to ride the wave of change.
It was very hard to write this because we still have so many unanswered questions that do nothing but cause so much more frustration, but how is it hurting us by waiting? Our lives do not stop in the meantime; we still continue to do our daily routines. In all due time, things will settle down and we will have a new revitalized IAAP to grown with. But if we continue to live in fear of our IAAP world, we do nothing but give strength to fear and doubt and cripple what we have built in the meantime! You have all made so many friends here, so I personally ask for you all to hold tight. Be there for each other! Be there for your incoming Board! Be there so we all can ride this wave together!
I would like to say Thank You! Thank you to all the members for your continued support throughout the year. Thank you to all the Committee Members and for your hard work in your committees. It has definitely been a ride. Thank you to the Chairs for stepping up and volunteering to take on a chair lead! Thank you for attending both Board and Membership Meetings throughout the year. And, thank you to the Officers - Roni and Georgia, who stepped up to fill in a need for their second year in the Treasurer and Secretary positions. I think Meagan, Georgia, Roni and I can agree that putting multiple years into a Board is challenging, and when the time comes to allow someone eager to take over, do it - it is rewarding. To Deb Klock for putting together a phenomenal program year for us. You did a fantastic job. And to my savior in many things, Meagan Bair. Your help this year has meant so much to me. You have been my rock so many times, and believe me it has not gone unnoticed. I know the upcoming chapter year will be awesome with your lead!
I look forward to continuing to play an active role in the Hershey Chapter by once again chairing the Website and Social Media Committee! Thank you all for a fantastic Chapter year!
And … remember … cherish those keys! Even the bad ones, because it will end up being a lesson learned that you may need to share with an individual about to go through the same thing in the future!
Wishing you all the best,
Wendy Snavely, CAP-OM
Hershey Chapter President
