That underscores the agenda he has developed as the association's President. There's a real interest and need for members to feel that they are in touch with those who guide and direct the organization, so the personal touch is critical. E-mails don't always do it and written publications don't do it. Members need to know that there is a face behind a name, a personality behind that face, someone who really cares about them. Understanding members' experiences and interests also will help APPA address issues of concern to them in their jobs, Harrod says.
Environmental issues is one area that demands continued focus.
The PCBs are behind us, but asbestos remains a threat. We know about underground storage tanks and air quality, but we don't know what's going to happen next. The impact of technology on campus operations is another area of concern. The challenge is that everybody wants information now, but being able to make it available sometimes is difficult. The support systems aren't necessarily in place to provide the data that people want.