PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE
August 2008

Once Again, Let's Begin With the End in Mind

As I begin the second year of my term as HAHPERD President, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the hard working and dedicated professionals on the HAHPERD Board that served you the membership, this past year.  They served well and it was truly an awesome year!  Not only was HAHPERD's 50^th Anniversary celebrated in grand style and hosted by an awesome group of HAHPERD members and professionals, but the best Southwest District Convention ever organized by any state, was held on the Big Island at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Spa and Resort this past summer!   In addition, mahalo to the HAHPERD Directors that sponsored activity workshops throughout the year including the Big Island (East), and also to board members that helped with the newsletter, the upgrade and new look of the HAHPERD website, testifying before the legislature, support of the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart and the Pau Hana Award activities, petition signing for increasing physical education in the schools, attendance at the Keiki Caucus Children and Youth Day, and participation in the Niketown fun run in raising funds for the schools.   Kudos also goes to the ad hoc committees that selected the TOY, and the honor award and scholarship recipients.  Most important, mahalo to you the membership without whom our efforts on the board would be meaningless.  It is for you that the board exists and continues to work tirelessly in sponsoring quality programs in meeting your needs!  

            Starting a new school year is always exciting.  As we embark upon the new year, let's once again begin with the end in mind. In order to lead us towards this objective I have outlined five goals for the upcoming year.

1. Since the organizational change of extending the executive board to a two year term along with creating six director positions in place of the specific chairs, the code of operation needs to be revised and updated. 
2. HAHPERD has yet to develop a strategic plan specifically targeting the organization's future direction and goals. 
3. HAHPERD needs to rededicate its efforts to increasing membership by surveying the profession and doing a needs assessment along with creating incentive and benefits for joining the organization. 
4. HAHPERD should work with the BOE, DOE and DOH in assessing the fitness level of students in the schools in order to develop baseline data which would be helpful in securing funding for advocacy issues for increasing physical education in the schools taught by certified physical education specialists. 
5. HAHPERD needs to continue to network with organizations such as the American Heart Association, the PTSA, HMSA, Hawaii Arts Alliance, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition, Chamber of Commerce, and community and business groups. We do this in order to generate a very strong and powerful voice to be reckoned with, heard, recognized, and respected and no longer ignored by the legislative powers, and thereby, begin to reverse the tide of childhood obesity in Hawaii and become a school system that produces not only academically strong students, but also students that are physically active, healthy, and happy!

Mahalo again, for all your support,

Donna Chun, HAHPERD President

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