ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT 2001-2002

At the Ninth Annual Data Group Workshop, April 19, 20, 2001 the formal process of establishing the organization called WARP (Washington Association of Researchers and Planners) began. Work had been going on to form the group during the previous year, and on April 18, 2001 at an evening meeting led by Doug Whitaker, the by-laws were ratified and officers nominated and elected. The first officers elected to WARP included: Judi Knutzen, President; Maureen Pettitt, President Elect, Mary Ann Medlin, Treasurer and Geneva Blake, Secretary. At the general meeting the following day, the meeting was called to order by the President. The President appointed two standing committees: Coding Issues and Assessment/Survey Instruments. Ellen Hoffman chaired the Coding Committee and Maureen Pettitt chaired the Assessment/Survey Instruments Committee.

WARP’s first year accomplishments included:

• Created a liaison position with WACROA.
• Doug Whitaker, with Sandy Main, created a website hosted by the SBCTC. For the convenience of the webmaster, the website was moved and is now hosted by Yakima Valley Community College.
• A logo was created for the organization and placed on the website.
• Candy Bennett was appointed by the President to be Historian. The position was expanded to include Parliamentarian duties.
• Work on a handbook or resource book for new researchers was begun by Geneva Blake and completed by Erika Prager. The handbook was eventually placed on the WARP website.
• A WARP meeting was held in conjunction with the PNAIRP meeting in October in Victoria, BC with updates from committees and input gathered from the membership for topics for spring meeting. The idea of having dues or an increased registration fee for the meeting expenses was introduced.
• Erika Prager was appointed Secretary mid-year when Geneva Blake left her position at Bellingham Community and Technical College.
• Held the annual WARP meeting April 4, 5 2002 at Renton Technical College with a full slate of programs and workshops. A special workshop was held for new researchers.
• The business meeting included voting to increase the registration amount in order to create a treasurery.
• Election of officers occurred with Darrell Deiter of Everett Community College elected President-Elect. Both Mary Ann Medlin and Erika Prager agreed to continue in their present positions.

The first year was a growing year for the organization with processes and positions put into place. The organization is strong and continues to provide information and support to those who use data in their work at community and technical colleges in Washington. WARP supports the work of its members and works to have researchers viewed as an important resource to their colleges and other statewide organizations.

Judi Knutzen, President
2001-2002