TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF PEOPLE MOVING AAPS FORWARD

Any professional association is dependent upon its membership to meet its goals and to keep it moving forward. All one has to do is to look at the Association's founding fathers and history of the AAPS officers to understand why it is still in existence today, celebrating its 25th birthday as a national professional organization. Yes, debates have come and gone as to whether or not AAPS has always met its goals, but its leadership throughout the past 25 years in attempting to provide a forum for those interested in the phonetic sciences should not be in question.

In the reflection by Harry Hollien, one of the major founding fathers of AAPS, the 25 year history of the association is summarized. Herein, the "people" of AAPS are saluted, its founders, leaders, and, of course, its members.

Having a major interest in the phonetic sciences myself, and having served as the Association Executive Secretary for the past 20 years, I may have more insight than anyone as to the role its leaders and members have played in its 25 year history. I was there in the beginning, have worked directly with all AAPS officers and members, and I am still here! Aside from my own feelings about the process of AAPS and its mission, I can say with certainty that the leaders of the association have been truly remarkable and dedicated professionals. Immediately following this essay are two lists. The first is a list of the Charter Members of the Association formed in 1972. The second contains the names of all of the officers, councilors, and committee chairs/members of the association. A list of current AAPS members can be found in the AAPS Newsletter, Volume 25, Number 1, 5 March 1998 (AAPS membership lists are usually published in the March issue of the Newsletter).

From reviewing the list of Charter Members, it can be seen that they represent a very distinguished group of nationally/ internationally recognized scholars, not only in the phonetic sciences but in other closely allied professions. Few, if any, in this group did not feel that the "phonetic sciences" needed to be better represented in America. Thus, collectively they set out to define the goals, mission and constitution of AAPS. Several are deceased now, many went on to serve as officers of the association, and some to other interests, but all nourished and fostered the association in those early years, and some still do.

By reviewing the list of AAPS officers, it can be seen that the leaders in the Association were also leading scholars in their field at the national level. From the unparalleled work in voice science associated with APPS first president, Harry Hollien, to the present day exploits in experimental phonetics of our current president, Jeannette Holt, and all those in between, these renown scholars became the "voice" of AAPS through action and deeds. More often than not, the AAPS presidents began their leadership roles by serving on the Nominating Committee and/or as a councilor, and with only a few exceptions the vice presidents matriculate to the presidency. It is this group of dedicated officers and loyal AAPS members over the past quarter century that have kept the mission of our Association alive. And it will take equally dedicated members to advance the Association's cause into the future. Many have answered the call, like James Mahshie who developed our AAPS Listserver, Ray Colton who continues his long and dedicated service as Editor-in-Chief, and Mary Louise Edwards presently serving as vice president and will succeed to the presidency next year. Although we still have a cadre of good members to help "move AAPS forward", I am concerned of the lack of interest from our students. We need to foster interest in our students in keeping the phonetic sciences alive in America, as they will be the "keepers" of the association in the very near future. Thus, I make a plea to our present and future leaders to pledge an allout effort to increase our student involvement in AAPS.

As we reflect upon the birth of AAPS a quarter of a century ago, we are indebted to our founders, our charter members, our past and current leadership, and our dedicated members. Although we often fall short of our goals as an association, for the last 25 years, at least, phonetic sciences has had a forum in America. To all those who have made it possible and will continue to do so HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY AAPS!!

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