By Ben Suplick, Chapter President

As host chapter for the 2012 ERAPPA Conference, much of Delaware Valley APPA's focus has and will be on "holding truths and pursuing happiness" in the next year (the theme for ERAPPA 2012). The excitement surrounding the conference taking place in our home area is starting to become palpable (if not sobering).
The happenings at DVAPPA outside of the conference planning have focused on energizing our efforts to strengthen the chapter and its membership as well as offer opportunities for professional development and peer relationship building. While Membership has been challenged by the recent economic struggles, the number of member institutions and business partners remains strong. With over 250 institutional and business partner members, the chapter has a strong base of support with many long term participants.

The size of the membership and the strength of the relationships that the chapter has been able to foster between those members are testaments to the chapter's strength and value.
Of course, relationships are not the only dividend that our chapter pays. At the August chapter meeting, a presentation on Villanova's "Transformation of the Campus Landscape initiative" was given. The program gave an overview of a three-year project in implementing the University Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan. The opportunity for the attendees to hear and learn about Villanova's experiences in creating a carefully-designed campus core that is highly integrated, vehicle-free, pedestrian-friendly, more accessible as well as more aesthetically beautiful was well received. A chapter meeting in late spring 2012 is also being planned with a program on changes to ADA compliance and its impact on facilities in higher education.
While these types of presentations are typical of the DVAPPA chapter meetings, formal professional training and developmental programs are also a key value that the chapter has worked to provide. In October 2011, DVAPPA was fortunate to be able to host the Supervisor's Toolkit at the University of Pennsylvania. Participating institutions included UPenn, Philadelphia University, Community College of Philadelphia, Princeton University, Ursinus College, Academy of the New Church, and LaSalle University. In Spring 2012, DVAPPA is teaming with the local chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) to bring Dr. Mark Taylor to Philadelphia. Dr. Taylor will present a program on managing the multigenerational workplace to members of both organizations at a combined meeting. Teaming with organizations with similar programmatic interests is an effort that DVAPPA is working to continue.
While it is only February, the ERAPPA conference is already foremost in the minds of many chapter members. Our chapter is proud of its efforts to bring a memorable event to our region. We hope you are all planning to join us this fall.