IAAP President – Robin Schiltz
Hi! I am the Activity Director at the Nursing community on the Eventide Senior Living Campus in Denison, IA. I also am the diversional activity director for SNF patients at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital. In 2015, I started my journey on the IAAP Board, and have held various positions, enjoying each one of them! I’ve been in the Activity field since 2003, and am proud to say that I’m still eager to learn more, and share it with others. Being a member of the IAAP Board has broadened my scope of education in many different ways!! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, (especially my 4 grandchildren), reading, being outdoors, and helping others.
712-263-3114. Ext.239
Message from the President
Hello Activity Professionals of Iowa!!
Our Fall Conference will be held on October 12th, 2023, with Tia Hovatter as our guest speaker. The hours will be from 8:00 am -4:30 pm. You will be able to earn 7 CEU’s if you attend all sessions!
Registration will begin at 7:00 am, and our Conference will be held at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, IA.
It hurts my heart, but IAAP is going through a very rough patch right now. Financially, we have had to downsize to a one- day conference-our number of attendees has been low since Covid. We have been very fortunate to have carried on this long-couldn’t have made it without the support of our NAAP speakers giving us such great rates!
The IAAP Board will have a few openings beginning in October this year. We will need a Treasurer and perhaps an Assistant treasurer, a Communications Coordinator, and a Resource Coordinator. It is vital that we fill these positions in order to carry on with IAAP. Please think seriously about applying for these positions. We meet as a group usually one time in March, the night before Conference, and briefly immediately after Conference. Please contact Rose Fowler at Rose.Fowler@NorthridgeVillage.com if you are interested in joining the IAAP Board. The only qualification you need is to be in the Activity Profession!
Also, for those who haven’t joined us yet, we now have a Facebook Group. Please feel free to join-we will welcome you with open arms!! Look for the Iowa Association of Activity Professional, and send a friend request!!
We welcome any input for ideas to continue with our annual conferences!!!
We can’t wait to see you in October!!!
Keep Smiling!!!!
Robin
Treasurer – Chris Thomas
I am currently the Lifestyle Coordinator at the Cottages in Pella which is a new facility built as a household model. I have been in activities for over 40 years and have held many positions on the IAAP board. My husband George and I have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. I enjoy teaching exercise classes at our local fitness center, reading, and spending time with my family and friends. I especially enjoy working with the elderly and providing “purposeful” meaningful activities.
Communications Coordinator – Tamara Baker
I’m Jeri. After being an elementary and special needs teacher for 16 years, I made a career change and have spent the last 12 years in the activity field. The majority of this time was in long-term care but I currently work in an assisted living/memory care community. I enjoy continually learning about all aspects of the activities field and things to impact the quality of life of our elderly.
I have been on the Iowa Association of Activity Professionals’ Board of Directors for 10 years and currently serve (and enjoy) the role of Newsletter Editor.
Secretary/Resource Coordinator – Erin Anderson
I am Erin Anderson from Sioux City, IA. I am the Activity Director at Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City. I have three sons; Taylor, Conner, & Carter. I enjoy reading, camping, volunteering, walking, church groups, golfing, boating, and spending time with my family and friends. I really enjoy working with my seniors and enriching their everyday lives!
Election/Government/District Liaison – Rose Fowler
I am the AL/IL Activities Director at Northridge Village in Ames. I have 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. In my spare time, I go for drives or walks.
Rose.Fowler@NorthridgeVillage.
Treasurer – Meggin Nicolas
Meggin Nicolas is a recent transplant to Iowa but not new to the Midwest. She grew up in Tucson, AZ and moved to Kansas City right after graduating high school. She spent 20 years in Kansas before her husband’s job brought the family to Iowa. Meggin’s first job in high school was as a dining room server at a retirement community. She absolutely loved working with seniors and that passion followed her years later. Meggin attended Kansas City Kansas Community College where she got her Associates Degree in Applied Science. She worked for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America in Wichita, KS as the Life Enrichment Events Coordinator for 4 years before moving to Iowa. She currently is working in the Reflections (Memory Care) neighborhood as the Life Enrichment Assistant at MorningStar at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines. When not working, Meggin enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, indoor and outdoor gardening, any kind of dance party and practicing on the ukulele.