About RAP

HISTORY OF RAP

The Resident Activity Personnel in Ohio organization was established in 1975 in response to a request for such an organization by activity workers throughout the state. With the guidance of the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Health Care Association, and the Association of the Ohio Philanthropic Homes for the Aging, an organizational meeting was called in the spring of 1975. It was agreed in the initial meeting of some 225 activities workers in activities in long-term care facilities. It was felt that the association, while maintaining relationships with other state health and recreation related organizations, would not directly be tied, legally, financially or structurally to any “parent” organization.

It was difficult to select a name for the organization which would probably convey the unique collection of long-term care employees who were concerned with the recreational, social and psychological aspects of aging residents. The original “Resident Activity People” gave way to the present “Resident Activity Personnel in Ohio” in August, 1976.

By-laws were formally adopted to guide the functioning of the association and in 1977 RAP was incorporated. The purpose of the organization is as follows:

PURPOSE OF RAP

To foster the exchange of ideas and resources among members through regional and statewide meetings
To maintain quality standards for certification; promote professional growth, and develop ethical guidelines for members.
To assist in maintaining high standards for activities and social service personnel in the areas of care and services for residents.
To share information concerning our disciplines with other members of the treatment team.
To provide liaison with Federal and State Departments of Health, health related organizations, community and state colleges, and with legislative bodies.

ORGANIZATION

RAP is organized as a non-profit corporation in the state of Ohio. Members of the board of trustees are elected annually by the active members through a mail ballot for a three year term. The board elects the officers and committee chairs who are installed at the annual meeting.

MEMBERSHIP

Active Membership – personnel employed in activity and social service programming, full or part-time and who pay active membership fees. They shall constitute the voting members. ( Membership Application )

Associate Membership – those having contact with activity and social service programs including students, volunteers, senior citizens and retired activity professionals who pay associate membership fees. They shall be non-voting members.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Annual Conference Discount
Quarterly Newsletters
Legislative Updates
Voting Privileges (for Active Membership)
Nominate and Be Nominated for Annual Awards presented at Conference Banquet
Survey of Wages, Education and Experience

MEETINGS

RAP provides an excellent educational conference each year for activity and social service personnel of various agencies that serve primarily the aging population.

AREA GROUPS

RAP has divided the state into 12 geographic areas which are similar to the area agencies on aging. The Membership Chair appoints contact persons in each of these areas, known as District Representatives. The purpose of these area contact persons is to be a liaison between local activity groups and the state association.

The District Representatives are:

District #1
Katie Chamber, 5454 Gwendolyn Ridge, Cincinnati, OH 45238. HM: 513-347-7001 WK: 513-347-5411 katiecm@srcharitycinti.org

Shari Fleming, 5428 Roseland Moore, Cincinnati, OH 45212 HM: 513-531-0104 CELL: 513-460-6444

District #2
Kim Cline, 501 W. Lexington Rd., Eaton, OH 45320 HM: 937-839-5295 WK: 937-456-9535 kimc@greenbriarcampus.com

Becky McGraw, 9485 Greenville Falls, Covington, OH 45356 HM: 937-529-6230 Wk: 937-498-5578 lmcgraw4@woh.rr.com

Karen Weaver, 1445 N. Sayers, Troy, OH 45373 HM: 937-335-8625 WK: 937-773-3333 DRMWVR_WRR@msn.com

District #3
Brooke Reyman, 2861 S.R. 707, Rockford, OH 45882 HM: 419-363-2675 WK: 419-692-4242 bfrey54@gmail.com

District #4
Pegge Sines, Dream Haven, 233 E. Morrison St., Edgerton, OH 43517 HM/WK: 419-298-3377 CELL: 419-212-1588 Special_72@hotmail.com

District #5
Lisa Hudsobn, 3150 Townsend Angling, Collins, OH 44826 HM: 419-668-4776 WK: 419-433-4990 lhudson@admirals.pointe.net

Kathy Theis, 9040 West Co. Rd. 10, New Riegel, OH 44853 HM: 419-595-2446 WK: 491-435-1801 ktheis@goodshepherdhome.com

District #6
Marjorie Witkowski, 7432 Gardengate Pl., Dublin, OH 43016 HM/WK: 614-314-7899 tmarconsults@yahoo.com

District #7
Jackie Whitaker, 1544 Neff Brattons Rd., S. Webster, OH 4582 HM: 740-778-2323 jackiewhitakerSSD@yahoo.com

District #8 – Counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan Noble, Perry, Washington. WE NEED A MEMBER TO REPRESENT THIS DISTRICT. Call Membership Chaifr, Kathy Theis at 419-595-2446 (home); 419-937-1801 (work) or e-mail: ktheis@goodshepherdhome.com

District #9
Mary Catherine Hiles, 1070 Licking Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701 HM: 740-408-0528 WK: 740-453-5417

District #10
Jennifer Krupa, 400 Bruce Dr., Brunswick, OH 44212 WK: 440-366=7536 jkrupa@lorainccc.edu

District #11
Vanessa Montgomery, 825 Scioto, Youngstown, OH 44505 HM: 330-743-7835 WK: 330-270-1448 vmontgomery@brookdaleliving.com

District #12
Carla Fahrni, 4117 Leisure Rd., Minerva, OH 44657 CELL: 330-705-3771 CSFPN3@yahoo.com

BOARD

The President provides the overall leadership to the organization while the Vice President handles the organizational details of the annual conference.

The Educational Chair is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating the educational sessions of the conference.

The Conference Coordinator is responsible for coordinating with the Education Chair in determining and carrying out the responsibilities of the Annual Conference.

The Professional Development Chair searches for and shares available information on education and instructors and the Nominating Chair directs the nominating and election procedure.

The Membership Chair works at promoting and soliciting membership and the Publicity Chair is responsible for Newsletter articles and news releases.

The Legislative Chair keeps abreast of regulations and influence legislation when appropriate and the Awards Chair solicits nominations from members for several annual RAP awards.

RAP BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2012

Paula Bogre, President……….330-721-3258
Carolyn Hoff, Vice-President………937-833-1878…………… choff@uchinc.org
Donna Lashaway, Education Chair……….440-886-5858………. 5313psc@hcr-manorcare.com
Kathy Theis, Membership Chair……….419-937-1801………. ktheis@goodshepherdhome.com
Leslie Hire, Awards Chair……….614-559-5504
Shari Fleming, Nominations Chair……….513-489-24444 sfleming@meadowbrookcare.org
Pegge Sines, Banquet Coordinator…..419-212-1588 special_72@hotmail.com Dream Haven, LLC, 233 E. Morrison St., Edgerton, OH 43517
Karla Hale, Publicity Chair…..419-774-5177…..karlah@mansfieldmd.com
Carla Fahrni, Legislation Chair……….330-705-3771………. CSFLPN3@yahoo.com
Leslie Hire, Immediate Past President……….614-559-5504
Dr. Charles W. Peckham, Executive Director……….513-932-7218
Jean Lyttle & Debbie Sickmiller, Deputy Directors

STAFF

The Executive Director is a volunteer who acts as Finance Chair and provides over-all guidance.

The Deputy Director(s) would assume the responsibility of the Executive Director in case the Executive Director is unable to fulfill those duties.

The Executive Secretary records the minutes of the quarterly board meetings, maintains membership, records financial transactions, prepares financial reports & budget reports, publishes the quarterly newsletters to members and district representatives, prepares annual meeting materials for conference, obtains CEUs for annual conference, maintains website, etc.

ACHIEVEMENT

RAP has been a leader among states in establishing a code of ethics, developing a certification process, creating a body of knowledge, and helping to establish the National Association of Activity Professionals as well as the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals.