I am a giant fan of HAPS. I mean, I am a REALLY REALLY GIANT fan. And one of my favorite things about HAPS is the incredible email listserv. I’ve been participating on the listserv in various degrees for the last 3 years. In fact, I originally joined HAPS because I wanted to be part of an online community of extremely knowledgeable professionals. I had no idea that this online community would be so OPEN and WELCOMING.
A couple of weeks ago, Anya Goldina, a new HAPSter from Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown PA, posted a couple of content-based questions to the list. Within minutes, a large number of responses were generated and as usual, I followed the thread and learned things I’d never even wondered about. Just hours after the question was posed to the list, Anya send this email to the group:
“Thank you all so much for your help! It is incredible how much information I was able to obtain just by posting these questions here vs. what I have been able to find on my own while searching textbooks and the web for over a week!”
And then an email showed up in my box that captured the essence of HAPS in such a lovely way. Bob Rawding from Gannon University in Erie PA sent this response:
“This is one of the best, professional exchanges ANYWHERE. “Tune in” – learn – contribute. And the people who are “regulars” are about as cooperative and congenial as you will find in your professional life. But a lot of sporadic, occasional users give great advice too, as well as ask questions. The minds here are simply amazing. What is the most fun is being able to attend the HAPS Annual Conference at the end of May; finally, you put names and faces together.”
So make it happen! Come to the Annual Conference in Jacksonville Florida and you can meet the Presidents Emeriti, learn how to join a committee, attend the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, have lunch with the cool cats you talk to on the listserv, and become a better A&P teacher. It is a win-win-win-win-win. See you there!
