HISTORY OF MNSWAP
The desire to form a state organization initially began during the summer of 1983 when the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) contacted a member from each state. NAAP’s goal was to build a nationwide network of people working in the field of activities. Minnesota’s contact person was Jill Ronstrom from Duluth. Due to her efforts and those of other interested activity leaders, SWAP was born.
On September 20, 1984, the Minnesota Statewide Association of Activity Professionals officially became organized with the first annual convention taking place in St. Cloud, MN. The theme for this convention was “Pride and Professionalism: Activities in the 80’s”. Committees were formed, bylaws and membership fees approved, and new officers elected.
SWAP is comprised of seven geographical regions and offers individual members opportunities for workshops and education as well as mutual support and the sharing of ideas with others associated in the field of activities. Each region selects a representative annually to serve on the Executive Board as Regional Representative to act as a liaison between the Board and the region.
SWAP’s President served as a state contact person for NAAP, thereby providing statewide Activity Professionals with updated information concerning local, state, and national issues.
The Convention and Annual meeting of SWAP are held each year in the fall. Membership has grown from 65 in 1984 to 650 in 1996.
MNSWAP HISTORY TIMELINE
1983 September – Response to initial contact favorable from state leaders. Northeastern Region 3 expressed an interest to get actively involved.
1983 October – Region 3 offers an educational conference and discussion following addresses to possibilities of a state association.
1983 November – Second state contact letter sent out inviting state leaders to Minneapolis to further discuss the possibility of setting up a state association.
1983 December – Leaders met and selected a date in January to develop an association.
1984 January – First meeting of the steering committee is held. Diane Gibson, Karen Jopp, and Ruth Hastings convene the meeting with a handful of state leaders present, all indicating an interest to form a state association. The following ideas were generated:
- Host a statewide convention for activity professionals
- Establish by-laws
- Develop committees
- Name the association The Minnesota State Wide Activity Professionals
- Meet again in June to put everything together
1984 January 27 – First National Activity Professionals Day is held
1984 June – Second meeting of the steering committee is held to review convention details, approve tentative by-laws and select interim leaders to serve until the state convention.
Interim Officers for June 1984 – September 1984
- Interim President – Marilyn Flakoll
- Interim Vice President – Heidi Sibben
- Interim Treasurer – Karen Jopp
- Interim Secretary – Sue Detienne
Also, the first state newsletter, four pages long, outlines details of the first convention is sent to activity professionals state wide.
1984 July – The second edition of the “Minnesota SWAP Newsletter” is mailed. It outlined convention, seeking nominations and encouraging membership.
1984 September 20 – The first annual convention of the Minnesota State Wide Activity Professionals meet in St. Cloud. SWAP officially becomes organized on this date. The theme was “Pride and Professionalism: Activities in the 80’s”. The by-laws were approved by the general membership, the State Activity Professionals Anthem, written by Judy Landwehr and Teresa Uselman was introduced and sung, committees and membership fees were established and new officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1984-1985
- President – Joyce Gillen
- Vice President – Judy Landwehr
- Treasurer – Karen Jopp
- Secretary – Jill Ronstrom
Total Membership in 1984: 65
Convention Attendance: 103 Cost: Member $24 Non-member $30
Minnesota Statewide Association of Activity Professionals, Inc.
The goals of the organization;
- To provide a source of mutual support and sharing of ideas for all persons associated with activities.
- To promote and offer appropriate educational opportunities specifically geared to the activity professionals and the needs of the people they serve.
- To work with other professional groups, regulatory agencies and provide representative to ensure the delivery of activity services in a coordinated, client-oriented atmosphere.
1984 November – First Executive Board meeting is held in Forest Lake to further develop the state association.
1985 January 25 – Second National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated.
1985 April 25-27 – Joyce Gillen and Diane Gibson attend the second annual NAAP convention in Buffalo, New York, representing Minnesota SWAP.
1985 May – Activity Director’s survey, developed by Judy Landwehr, is mailed out to Activity Directors in an effort to collect data that would be used by the association.
1985 September 18 & 19 – Second annual convention of the Minnesota Statewide Activity Professionals meets in Moorhead. The theme was “Managing Activities in the 80’s”. The by-laws are amended to change the name to: The Minnesota Statewide Association of Activity Professionals. Two new verses were added to the Activity Professionals anthem, written by Karen Argue. Convention Chairperson: Diane Gibson. Host Region: Region 3. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1985-1986
- President – Judy Landwehr
- Vice President – Diane Gibson
- Treasurer – Karen Jopp
- Secretary – Jill Ronstrom
Total Membership in 1985: 103
Convention Attendance: 147
1986 January 24 – Third National Activity Professionals Day is held with statewide attention being brought to it by Beth Wizik and members from the publicity committee
1986 April 24-26 – Judy Landwehr and Diane Gibson attend the third annual NAAP convention in Sacramento, CA, representing SWAP. Marie Janececk, member of SWAP, and Activity Professional from Minnesota receives the NAAP’s “Award of Excellence”.
1986 May – “Activity Success”, a sharing of successful activity programs becomes a regular feature of SWAP’s newsletter, published quarterly.
1986 June – The Executive Board meets to discuss the possibility of hosting the 1988 National Convention in Minneapolis.
1986 September 18 & 19 – The third annual convention of the Minnesota Statewide Association of Activity Professionals meets in Rochester. The theme was “Developing Activity Professional”. The SWAP membership approved hosting the 1988 National NAAP convention. Ruth Hastings receives the first “Award of Excellence” for her efforts in activity programming. Region 7 hosted the convention. Co-Chairs: Nancy Berns and Dorothy Lund. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1986-1987
- President – Diane Gibson
- Vice President – Barb Rebishcke
- Treasurer – Yvonne Mctaggart
- Secretary – Dorothy Lund
Total Membership in 1986: 205
Convention Attendance: 175 Cost: $45 Non-member:$65
1986 October – The NAAP established and publishes National Certification Guidelines.
1986 November – The SWAP receives confirmation that Minnesota will be the host state for the 1988 National Association of Activity Professionals convention.
1987 January 23 – Fourth annual Activity Professionals Day is celebrated across the United States.
1987 April 23-24 – Diane Gibson and members of the Executive Board as well as committee chairpersons attend the fifth annual NAAP convention in Chicago, IL. A gala promotional event was staged to encourage all in attendance to come to “MINNESOTA in 88”.
1987 Spring – Nadine Touhey, Activity Professional from Willmar, becomes the first person to become certified as an Activity Consultant by the National Council.
1897 July – Articles of Incorporation are signed by the Board which established the SWAP as a non-profit corporation, developed to address the needs of Activity Professionals state wide.
1987 September 18 & 19 – Fourth Annual Convention of SWAP is held in Duluth. The theme was “Meet You in Duluth”. Karen Jopp receives the SWAP “Award of Excellence” for her dedication to the profession. It was announced that the State Activity Professionals Anthem was adopted as the National Activity Professionals Anthem. Chairpersons of the convention were: Jill Ronstrom and Debbie Aho. Host Region: Region 2. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1987-1988
- President – Barb Rebischke
- Vice President – Beth Wizik
- Treasurer – Yvonne McTaggart
- Secretary – Karla Heeter
Total Membership for 1987: 302
Convention Attendance: 250 Cost: Member: $45 Non-member: $65
1987 November – The name of the state association official newsletter is changed to “The SWAP Line”. Jackie Hellerud from Region 2, submitted the winning entry.
1987 December 22 – President Reagan signs into law requirement for qualified activity professionals in nursing homes…OBRA ‘87.
1988 January 22 – Fifth Annual National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated by combining the 1988 convention theme into the day. Statewide promotion encourages the fact that “Aging is a Work of Art” and that the Activity Professional promotes the artist within.
1988 April 28-30 – The Minnesota Statewide Association of Activity Professionals hosts the Sixth Annual National Association of Activity Professionals convention in Minneapolis. Members of the state association and Region 6 (MADA), under the guidelines of Diane Gibson and Cathy Ekhart hosted the largest National Convention to date. Four hundred fifty (450) people from across the U.S. participated in the event.
1988 September – The Activity Director/Assistant program, an Associate of Arts degree program begins at Staples AVTI. Judy Landwehr served as consultant.
1988 September – the Fifth Annual State Convention is held in Willmar, MN. The theme was “Aging is a Work of Art”. Convention Chairperson is Margaret Hanson. Host Region: Region 5. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1988-1989
- President – Beth Wizik
- Vice President – Barb Becker
- Secretary – Karla Heeter
- Treasurer – Betty Braegelman
Total Membership: 353 Membership Fee: $12/yr.
The SWAP extends its sincerest thanks to the following people who devoted so much of their time to make this all possible;
Jill Ronstrom – Initial State Contact
Steering Committee:
Sue DeTienne, Willmar Marilyn Flakill, Minneapolis
Diane Gibson, Moorhead Joyce Gillen, Bloomington
Ruth Hastings, Minneapolis Holly Heitkamp, Moorhead
Karen Jopp, Fridley Judy Landwehr, St.Cloud
Margaret Oibrekken, Delano Heidi Sibben, Moorhead
Ann Thomas, Edina Teresa Uselman, Waite Park
1989 January – Yearly membership dues increase to $15.
1989 January 23 – Sixth Annual Activity Professional’s Day is celebrated
1989 February – Student Chapter; SWAP membership opens to interested Staples AVTI students at the $12 rate.
1989 September – Sixth Annual Convention of SWAP is held in Brainerd. The theme is “Activities, the Sunshine of Aging”. Convention Co-Chairs; Carla Criswell and Lynette Taylor. Hosted by Region 4. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1989-1990
- President – Barb Becker
- Vice President – Pam Walton
- Secretary – Sandi Issendorf
- Treasurer – Betty Braegelman
Total Membership: 407
1990 January – Seventh Annual Activity Professional’s Day is celebrated.
1990 June 1 – Sandi Issendorf resigned as Secretary due to a career change. Nadine Touhey, Certification Chair reports that Minnesota has the largest number of NCCAP certified professionals – 130 at this time.
1990 June – Staples AVTI closes the Activity Directors course.
1990 September 26-28 – Seventh Annual SWAP convention is held at Arrowood Radisson Resort in Alexandria. The theme was; “Activities: Journey of Imagination” Convention Co-Chairs Randee Sell of Bethany Home in Alexandria and Pauline Swendsrud, St. Williams Home, Parkers Prairie. Hosted by Region 3. Education Chair: Yvonne McTaggert, Frazee Retirement Home, Frazee. Yvonne was also awarded the Award of Excellence. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1990-1991
- President – Pam Walton
- Vice President – Barb Betker
- Secretary – Janelle Anderson (filling in for resignation 1 yr term)
- Treasurer – Cinda Spieler
Convention Registration: 393 Membership: 284
1991 January 1 – NCCAP Certification Grandfathering ends.
1991 January – 8th Annual Activity Professional’s Day is celebrated.
1991 March 20-22 – Booth sponsored by SWAP at MAHA convention to promote the Activity Profession and SWAP organization to Administrators, DON’s, Owners etc. Booth was well received.
1991 March 1, April 5, June 7 – First workshop sponsored by SWAP. Free to current 1991 members. Presenter: Nadine Touhey on the topic “Conversation with the Frail Elderly”. Workshop locations; Bagley, Montevideo, Duluth, Little Falls.
1991 May 31 – As of this date, 412 people are certified as Activity Professionals in the state of Minnesota. Second highest state.
1991 September 26-27 – 8th Annual SWAP convention held at Bloomington Radisson Hotel. All time convention attendance high- 452. Co-Chairs; Heidi Sibben, Johanna Shores, Brooklyn Center, and Lee Reinsma, North Ridge Care Center, New Hope. The theme: “Activities Celebrate the Dance of Life”. Hosted by Region 6. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1991-1992
- President – Barb Betker
- Vice President – Randee Sell
- Secretary – Jan Anderson
- Treasurer – Cinda Speiler
1991 Awards Presented to:
- Award of Excellence – Barb Becker, Knute Memorial Home, Alexandria
- Volunteer of the Year – Sanford Hanson, Granite Falls Hospital and Manor, Granite Falls.
- Administrator of the Year – Randal L. Hagemeyer, Birchwood Care Home, Minneapolis.
Total Membership: 504
1991 November 12-14 – SWAP has a booth at Care Providers Convention, Radisson South, Minneapolis.
1991 November – Hutchinson Technical College offers the Activity Director AAS degree and Activity Assistant Diploma program. Instructor: Julie Reginek.
1992 January 24 – 9th Annual National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated. Promotional items available through SWAP by Janice Gard, Publicity Chair.
1992 April – NAAP convention in Washington, DC. Minnesota tied with Arizona for promoting National Activity Professionals Day in their state association. Barb Betker, SWAP President attended, representing Minnesota.
1992 May 18-20 – Second Annual SWAP sponsored workshop offered to current members. Location sites were Bemidji, St.Cloud and Minneapolis. Free to current SWAP members, $30 to non-members. Speaker Ruth Perschbaker presented on New Activity Regulations, Interdisciplinary Care Planning and Music Activities.
1992 September 23-25 – 9th Annual SWAP convention held at Radisson Hotel Centerplace in Rochester, MN. 399 in attendance. The theme was; “Activity Professionals Have It All…Courage, Knowledge, Heart”. Convention Co-Chairs: Bonnie Hintz, Charter House, Rochester, and Allision DeRaad, Pine Haven Care Center, Pine Island. Hosted by Region 7. New officers were elected.
Elected Board Officers 1992-1993
- President – Randee Sell
- Vice President – Allison DeRaad
- Secretary – Janelle Anderson
- Treasurer – Cindy Ruberg
1992 Awards Presented to:
- Award of Excellence – Diane Gibson, Moorhead Healthcare Center, Moorhead
- Volunteer of the Year – Vera Behan, Charter House, Rochester
- Administrator of the Year – Carmon Jackson, Pioneer Home, Fergus Falls
1992 November – SWAP has a booth at Care Providers Convention
1993 January 22 – 10th Annual National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated.
1993 September 22-24 – 10th Annual SWAP Convention held in St. Cloud, site of first convention in 1983. Convention attendance record of 605. The theme was; “Activity Professionals Keep Memories Flowing”. Convention Co-Chairs were Linda Schmitz and Betty Braegelman. Hosted by Region 4.
Elected Board Officers 1993-1994
- President – Allison DeRaad
- Vice President – Bonnie Hintz
- Secretary – Shelly Groshong
- Treasurer – Cindy Ruberg
Other Board Members include;
- Education – Pam Hayle
- Membership – Julie Reginek
- Newsletter – June Wilmont
- Promotions – Janice Gard
Region Representative;
- One – Theresa Tjon
- Two – Bev Taylor
- Three – Karen Argue
- Four – Dorothy Bernardy
- Five – Elaine Knockemus
- Six – Sherry Hult
- Seven – Pam Horlitz
1993 Awards Presented to;
- Award of Excellance – Beth Wizik, Emmanual Care Center, Detroit Lakes
- Volunteer of the Year – Delores Maciej, St.Otto’s Care Center, Little Falls
- Administrator of the Year – Joe Gubbels, Bloomington Care Center, Bloomington
Total Membership: 503 Membership Fee: $18
1994 January 28 – 11th Annual National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated.
1994 April – Hutchinson Technical Colleges offers the 90 hour Basic Activity Course as a 16 credit certificate program.
1994 April 13-16 – NAAP convention in Reno, Nevada. President Allison DeRaad and Vice President Bonnie Hintz attended. Minnesota’s SWAP Volunteer of the Year, Delores Maciej was named the National Volunteer of the Year. Delores went to Reno to receive her award.
1994 June 21-23 – SWAP sponsored workshops presented by Nancy DeBolt; “I’m in Here” Strategies for One to One Activities.
1994 September 21-23 – The 11th annual SWAP convention was held at the Northern Inn in Bemidji. The theme was “Activity Professionals are Reaching New Heights in 94”. Convention attendance was 328. Convention Co-Chairs were Sandy Hennum and Kathy Fuller both of Bemidji. Hosted by Region 1.
Elected Board Officers 1994-1995
- President – Bonnie Hintz
- Vice President – Beth Matheny
- Secretary – Shelly Groshong
- Treasurer – Terry Bush
Other Board Members;
- Education – Pam Hayle
- Membership – Julie Reginek
- Newsletter – June Wilmot
- Promotions – Janice Gard
Region Representative;
- One – Theresa Tjon
- Two – Bev Taylor
- Three – Nancy Berns
- Four – Gail Wannebo
- Five – Julie Reginek
- Six – Sherry Hult
- Seven – Pam Horlitz
1994 Award Presented to;
- Award of Excellance – Pam Hayle, Augustana Home, Minneapolis
- Volunteer of the Year – Martha Alm, Pine Haven Care Center, Pine Island
- Administrator of the Year – Tim Middendorf, Emmanuel Home, Detroit Lakes
Total Membership: 428 Membership Fee: $18
1995 October – Decision by SWAP Board to have annual convention in St. Cloud every year.
1995 January 27 – 12th Annual National Activity Professionals Day is celebrated.
1995 March 29- April 1 – NAAP convention in Nashville, Tennessee. President Bonnie Hintz and Vice President Beth Matheny attended to represent Minnesota.
1995 June 16, 21, 22 – SWAP sponsored workshops free to current members. Presenter Diane Hill on “Behavioral Interventions for Difficult Residents”
1995 September 20-22 – 12th Annual SWAP convention held at the Kelly Inn and Convention Center in St.Cloud. The theme was: “Challenge 2000”. Convention Chair was Maryann Schaefer. Hosted by Region 6.
Elected Board Officers 1995-1996
- President – Beth Matheny
- Vice President – Nancy Berns
- Secretary – Karen Schroeder
- Treasurer – Terry Bush
Other Board Members;
- Education – Pam Hayle
- Membership – Julie Reginek
- Newsletter – Jill Main
- Promotions – Karen Argue
Region Representatives;
- One – Liz Fontaine
- Two – Marlene Anderson
- Three – Beth Wizik
- Four – Janice Gard
- Five – Kathy Godejahn
- Six – Mary Bendzick
- Seven – Jill Main
1995 Awards Presented to ;
- Award of Excellence – Randee Sell, Bethany Home, Alexandria
- Volunteer of the Year – Judi Peterson, Charter House, Rochester
- Administrator of the Year – Clair Erickson
Total Membership: 660
Membership Fee: $18 (addt’l $2 can be donated to Heidi Sibben Memorial Scholarship fund)
1996 June – SWAP sponsored workshop free to all current members. Presenter Farley Wade Farber on “Effective Activities for Dementia Residents”.
1996 September – Ridgewater College (Hutchinson Technical College) offers the 90 hour Advanced Activity Course as a 16 credit certificate program.
