September 2006
Rain Does Not Deter a Trip To Derry
The Fall meeting of DVAPPA was notable for the location and the fact that the delayed election was concluded with the installation of a new Board of Directors, Ralph Thayer (President),
Chris Augustine (Vice President), Chris Carter (Secretary) and Ben Suplick (Treasurer). This represents a near complete turn over of the elected board. It was with some sadness that we bade farewell to our Treasurer of four years, Deb Grant and to our Past President Glenn Smith. It's not that they are going anywhere, it's just that both have been a stabilizing force and the glue which held the organization together when the Board had as many vacancies as filled seats. We are fortunate that Glenn has moved on to the Presidency of ERAPPA. We can be assured he will remain a vital part of our organization.
Now to the Fall Meeting; Set on 10,000 acres of rolling farmland in the heart of chocolate country, Milton Hershey School provided a wonderful lunch then introduced the design firm of Spillman Farmer who walked us through the design of the school's proposed Supply Center. To say that the title was a bit of an understatement points up the fact that the School's mission is very unique. The 300'x400' structure is to house kitchens and food storage to provide groceries as well as fully cooked meals (by request) to the resident homes where up to twelve children from age 4-15 live with their house parents. It also provides meals for the 900 some employees. In addition, the Supply Center is to serve as the clothing center for the student's clothing needs (including alterations on site), the mail handling facility, the recycling center ... AND qualify for LEED certification while it's at it. It looks to be a very challenging building. We hope to hear more about it when it is up and running.
The meeting concluded with a trolley tour of Derry (that's right, there is no Hershey, PA, other than a post office) and a short history course on a unique individual who left a unique legacy of chocolate for the masses and a sense of social responsibility that endures through today.
Hope to see you at Mystic, but if not please plan to come to the Winter Meeting at Swarthmore College.
Cordially,
Ralph Thayer, President DVAPPA
p.s. - A special plea to institutional members: We need to build up our membership so that we can remove the barrier that prevents patient and deserving business partners from joining our organization. We all know at least one school, college or university that may not be aware of the benefits of DVAPPA... for that matter may not even know we exist! I am throwing out a challenge for every Institution to bring just one new member into the fold this year. Please contact Bob Morrow with the name of a contact in an interested institution or plan on bringing a prospective member to one of the upcoming events.
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