A Message from the President of the ANIBIC Board of Directors, Dr. Alvin Plotkin

It is time to look forward. For many years we were eagerly awaiting resolution to issues associated to taking ownership of our facility. Now that the building is officially ours, we have the opportunity to think strategically about the future of ANIBIC.

We have established a strategic planning committee and have already invited comprehensive input from staff and family. We are involved in a thoughtful process of identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses of our organization to help identify successful areas in which we can build upon as well as fortify our areas of need. We are crafting our vision of what ANIBIC can become. We all have a strong interest in ANIBIC becoming the best service delivery organization for those with special needs and this process will provide that structure and vision to guide us in that direction.

Our efforts are tireless in the pursuit of meeting the needs of our consumers and their families. We work hard and now we are in the process of clarifying our strategic direction. It is this marriage of vision and action that makes a difference in an organization. The words of Joel Barker are particularly apropos, “Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”

It will be exciting for ANIBIC to develop their plan for the future as we explore innovative ways to more fully integrate our consumers in the community as reflected in our Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) Program. We will challenge ourselves to develop new specialized day program services to involve our consumers in meaningful ways. We will also explore new advocacy roles for consumers and their families to ensure appropriate special education programming.

I can speak confidently about the future because I am surrounded by a high-performing team of exemplary professionals. I would like to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to Jerry Smith, our Executive Director and Associate Executive Director, John DeBiase who continue to impressively lead our agency through unprecedented growth and high quality service standards. I would also like to thank Vincent, Tancredi, our Chief Financial Officer, who competently and prudently manages our financial status. I would like to also thank the members of the Board of Directors, and in particular I wish to highlight Michael Stewart as Vice President of the Board. My abundant thanks go to the professional staff and volunteers who provide the direct service to our consumers. We are a winning team that can actualize our vision.

On a personal note, I am most thankful for my greatest support, my wife of the last 60 years, Helen. As a husband and as a President of the Board, I am blessed to have Helen at my side. As I enter my ninth year as your President of the Board of Directors, I reflect upon the progress and trajectory of our organization. I take great pride in our past achievements and I look enthusiastically to the future with clarity, optimism and energy.

Thank you in advance for your important contributions to our organization. Helen and I sincerely wish everyone in the ANIBIC family a healthy and productive year. Stay well and do good work.

With warm regards,

Dr. Alvin Plotkin