By Mary Jo Viero, BAPA Executive Director
When I was driving into work on my first official day as Executive Director for BAPA, a thousand thoughts were going through my head. First, I was thinking about how excited I am to begin my dream job. Then I was thinking about jobs and bosses that I’ve had over the years. That made me happy and nervous at the same time. I have a lot of experience at BAPA, but I don’t know what I don’t know. So how do I fix that? I have to ask a lot of questions and do a lot of listening.
BAPA is so many things to so many people. The different perceptions people have of our community and BAPA are always amazing to me. As I begin the process of implementing my vision for BAPA and the community, the first step is listening. I want and need to hear what you want BAPA to do and be in the neighborhood.
I envision BAPA as a place to come together to share ideas and concerns, and then work together to make ideas become realities and to find resolutions for concerns. My mission is to empower you to advocate, beautify, strengthen, create, celebrate and support one another. If you have an idea and I can help you make it happen, that is my role.
A friend of mine came to me and said his friend passed away last February and she loved the Ridge Run. He wanted to form a team and fundraise in her honor. I listened carefully and we are making it happen. You will see the article about them in this issue of The Villager. Hopefully, that story will spark an idea in you and that you will share it with me so we can make it happen.
I can’t help if I don’t know your ideas, so please invite me to listen. Call me at 773-233-3100 or email me at mjviero@bapa.org.
In the meantime, I am working to make 2020 a memorable year filled with community events and programs that bring us together.
Best,
Mary Jo
