Delaware Association for Public Administration 
President’s Message
Dear Fellow Public Administrator:
Giving Thanks
Welcome to another edition of the DAPA Public Service Reader. I want to start by offering thanks to a few of the DAPA members I’ve had the privilege of working with this past year. While this publication is a product of the good work of many DAPA members who have contributed articles and ideas, I have to single out the two people who really make it happen every time. Martha Narvaez, in addition to her many other large and small contributions to DAPA (and having served as President for a year now, I can assure you that they are definitely numerous!) continues to serve wonderfully as Communications Chair. Mark Deshon, in spite of having no official DAPA title, continues to work tirelessly with Martha not just to produce this newsletter but also to serve as our webmaster, photographer, and all around tireless and totally dependable go-to guy.
While I’m on this topic and still in the season’s mood of giving thanks, I want to call out some of our other volunteers who have made the organization work over the past year. Kathy Wian, in addition to serving brilliantly as Vice President, has continued to chair the Program Committee. With the help of our DAPA Fellow Corrinne O’Connor, Stephanie Patterson, and others, she has put together a number of delightful activities over the past year. Most recently, they (especially Corinne) put together a terrific “speed-networking” event for students and young professionals. This first version was on the University of Delaware campus, and we hope to expand this activity and roll it out to other institutions as we go forward. Without duplicating Corinne’s article, I’ll just note that the buzz in the room was exhilarating, and all the participants seemed thoroughly energized by the evening’s activity.
Among the young professionals participating in the speed networking program was our new Second Vice President, Jonathan Kirch. Jonathan stepped into that role in January and has contributed enormously to programs and to the leadership of the Council over the past year. His energy and the thoughtfulness of his contributions have been equally valuable to us.
I’m also thankful for the continuing contributions this past year of the continuing members of the DAPA Council. Treasurer Martin Wollaston continues steady at the helm not just of our financial resources but also in keeping the organization, and when necessary its President, grounded in DAPA’s mission as Delaware’s professional association for public administrators. Gene Dvornick, Kim Gomes, Kelly Sherretz, and Kyle Sonnenberg round out the 2011 Council. Both individually and collectively, they contribute remarkable energy and intelligence, guiding decisions, organizing activities, securing financial resources, and simply making the organization work.
Working with these folks and the others (too many to list) who have contributed to and participated in DAPA Council meetings and programs over the past year (and previous years) reminds me that this tiny state has a huge amount of talent—a “Small Wonder,” indeed. So I really am thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from such a remarkable group of people.
Holiday Cheer
As I write this, we are making final preparations for what I expect to be a terrific annual meeting and awards dinner at the Deerfield Golf Club on December 8. We’ll be honoring two DAPA public service award recipients for 2011—Kim Book, the founder and Executive Director of Victims’ Voices Heard, and Roy Lopata, the longtime Director of Planning and Development for the City of Newark, Delaware. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there, but let me wish you Happy Holidays here too!
One other cheerful bit of news is that, thanks to the work of DAPA’s Council and members, we have been growing the membership, with a total membership now of at least 82 members.
Into the New Year
Looking ahead, we have a full plate for 2012, and welcome any additional ideas and efforts. Besides programs and meetings, some of which I hope will take place below the Canal, and for which I would welcome any ideas or proposals, we have an active agenda of work to consolidate and build upon recent strengthening of our organization. So please let me know (justice@udel.edu) if you have suggestions for (or even better, would like to help out with) these continuing projects:
> Membership development
> Program planning
> Website enhancements
> Applying to renew our DAPA, Inc., federal tax exemption
And don’t be shy about getting involved in any activities you’d like to be a part of. All DAPA members are welcome at all activities and Council meetings! Council meetings are normally scheduled for the fourth Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in the Delaware Water Resources Agency conference room in the Delaware Geological Survey Annex at 261 Academy Street in Newark, Del. We also have a call-in facility at 302-831-6494.
Finally, whether or not you choose to participate in Council meetings, please feel free to send me any other questions, comments, or suggestions!
Jonathan Justice, PhD
President