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HISTORY OF THE WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION
OF ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS (WSAAP)

The statewide organization began with classes called Washington State Health Training for Activity Directors and Volunteers taught by Evelyn M. Bengson, OT, from the Department of Health and Social Services in Olympia, WA. The first classes were held at Sharon Arms Convalescent (then known as Pinehurst Nursing Home) in Seattle and West Valley Home in Aberdeen, where a state-wide organization was established on June 16, 1965 with Millie Williams, President and Margaret Metcalfe, State Secretary/Treasurer. A meeting of the Health Activity Volunteer Service (HAVS) was held in Olympia with Jane Taylor, Assistant Attorney General to draw up a constitution and by-laws that were adopted by the organization on November 29, 1966 at Parkland Nursing Home in Aberdeen. Spokane formed a new chapter and on September 29, 1967 a meeting was held at the Public Health Building and the HAVS was organized into a state organization.

The first state-wide meeting was held at Burien Manor Nursing home on May 10, 1968 in Seattle, where it was voted to hold two workshops each year with the officers to hold two year terms. HAVS presidents included:

  • 1965-1969 – Millie Williams, Aberbeen Chapter

  • 1969-1971 – Diana Johnson, Spokane Chapter

  • 1971-1973 – Kay Rarrick (Cobb), Spokane Chapter

  • 1973-1975 – Maude Hannifin, Cascade Chapter

  • 1975-1979 – Christine Akerman, Cascade Chapter

  • 1979-1982 – Gloria Ryan – Cascade Chapter

  • 1982-1985 – Betty Duncan Stuber, Southeastern Chapter

Aberdeen Chapter and Spokane Chapter met on June 16, 1965 when the state organization was formed. On September 15, 1969 the Mt. Rainier Chapter and SW Puget Sound Chapters were formed and the annual HAVS meeting was in Spokane. Starting in 1971, one to two HAVS conventions were held annually:

  • 1971 – Oct. 8, workshop @ Issaquah Villa

  • 1972 – May 19, convention in Bremerton

  • 1973 – May 4, convention in Lynnwood by Cascade Chapter                                                             

    •  Sept. 14, convention in Spokane by Spokane Chapter

  • 1974 – May 10, convention in Spokane by Spokane Chapter                                                             

    •  Sept. 13, convention in Spokane by Spokane Chapter

  • 1975 – May 9, convention in Vancouver by Lower Columbia Chapter                                                

    •  Sept. 12, convention in Tacoma by SW Puget Sound Chapter

  • 1976 – May 14, convention in Everett by Cascade Chapter                                                               

    •  Sept. 10, convention in Spokane by Spokane Chapter

  • 1977 – May 13, convention in Federal Way by Mt. Rainier Chapter                                                      

    • Sept. 23, convention in Vancouver by Lower Columbia Chapter

  • 1978 – May 5, convention in Everett by Cascade Chapter                                                                 

    •  Sept. 15, convention in Port Angeles by Peninsula Chapter

  • 1979 – May 4 & 5, convention in Moses Lake by Central  Chapter                                                       

    • Sept. 6 & 7, convention in Walla Walla by Southeastern Chapter

  • 1980 – May , convention in Bellevue                                                                                               

    •  Sept. 25 & 26, convention in Spokane by Spokane Chapter

  • 1981 – Sept. , convention in Vancouver by Lower Columbia Chapter

  • 1982 – Sept. 23 & 24, convention in Walla Walla by Southeastern Chapter

On September 24, 1984 the name of the organization was changed at the annual workshop at Harmony House in Richland from Washington State HAVS to WSAAP, the Washington State Association of Activity Professionals. WSAAP also associated with the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP). Betty Stuber, state president, called a special session on June 25, 1985 in Olympia with Attorney Mark Allen to draw up Article of Incorporation. The by-laws were drawn up and approved at a special meeting on July 25, 1985 at the Seattle Red Lion. Our incorporation, with the by-laws, non-profit status, and tax number were completed with a luncheon at the Vance Tyee in Tumwater with two chapter members, Margaret Metcalfe and Lura Colburn, both of the Seattle area, cutting the cake.

In April of 1990 Washington State hosted the 1990 NAAP Convention at the Seattle Sheraton. The NAAP is the professional body and the NCCAP (National Certification Council for Activity Professionals) is the certifying body for activity professionals. The first certification was in Activity Assistant (AAC), Activity Director (ADC), and Activity Consultant (ACC). Activity Professionals are urged to take the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals, Second Edition, and to be come nationally certified, as many other WSAAP members have.

The WSAAP Presidents have been:

  • 1985-1986 – Christine Krugh, Spokane Chapter

  • 1986-1987 – Harriet Ott, Seattle Chapter

  • 1987-1989 – Vera Harper, Mt. Rainier Chapter

  • 1989-1993 – Rachel Lundquist, SW Puget Sound Chapter

  • 1993-1995 – Jonnie Potts, Spokane Chapter

  • 1995-1999 – Di Thornton, North Central Chapter

  • 1999-2003 – Michelle Jutila, Spokane Chapter

  • 2003-2005 – Cindy Wesche, Mt. Rainier Chapter

  • 2005-2007 – Rae Anne Randall, Peninsula Chapter

  • 2007-2012 – Michelle Jutila, Spokane Chapter

  • 2012-2015 –  Pat Scully, Central Chapter

  • 2015-          Cindy Wesche, Mt Rainier Chapter

It was decided to hold the annual WSAAP conferences in September, as the NAAP conference is held in the spring.

  • 1983 – SeaTac, Mt. Rainier Chapter hosting

  • 1984 – Richland, Three Rivers Chapter hosting

  • 1985 – Olympia, Timberline hosting the 20th Anniversary of HAVS/WSAAP

  • 1986 – Cheney, Spokane Chapter hosting

  • 1987 – SeaTac, Mt. Rainier Chapter hosting

  • 1988 – Richland, Southeastern Chapter hosting

  • 1989 –

  • 1990 – Seattle, WSAAP hosted the NAAP conference in April in lieu of September conference

  • 1991 – Bremerton, Peninsula Chapter hosting

  • 1992 – Richland, Three Rivers Chapter hosting

  • 1993 – Olympia, Daffodil & Timberline Chapters hosting

  • 1994 – Walla Walla (Whitman College), Southeastern Chapter hosting

  • 1995 – Yakima, Central Chapter hosting

  • 1996 – Spokane, Spokane Chapter hosting

  • 1997 – Mt. Vernon, Northwest Chapter hosting

  • 1998 – Wenatchee, North Central Chapter hosting

  • 1999 – Silverdale, Peninsula Chapter hosting

  • 2000 – Richland, Three Rivers Chapter hosting

  • 2001 – Ocean Shores, Daffodil Chapter hosting

  • 2002 – Spokane, Spokane Chapter hosting

  • 2003 – Federal Way, Mt. Rainier Chapter hosting

  • 2004 – Leavenworth, North Central Chapter hosting

  • 2005 – Silverdale, Peninsula Chapter hosting

  • 2006 – Spokane, Spokane Chapter hosting

  • 2007 – Mt. Vernon, Northwestern Chapter hosting

  • 2008 – White Pass, Central Chapter hosting

  • 2009 – Leavenworth, North Central Chapter hosting

  • 2010 – Silverdale, Peninsula Chapter hosting

  • 2011 – Spokane, Spokane Chapter hosting

  • 2012 – Warm Beach, Northwest Chapter hosting

  • 2013 – Richland, Three Rivers & Central Chapter hosting

  • 2014 – Federal Way, Mt. Rainier Chapter hosting

  • 2015 – Ellensburg, WSAAP is hosting the 50th Anniversary

  • 2016 – Bremerton, Peninsula Chapter hosting

  • 2017 – Spokane, Spokane Chapter hosting

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