President’s Corner
(From GAD Banner: October – December 2011)
Greetings!!!
Our board meeting on September 10, 2011 was in a good process. We would like to welcome our new board members, Christopher Patterson as 2013 GAD Conference Chairperson, Jr. GAD Director, and Fundraiser. Nicki McBee as MDGP Director, Hal Suddreth as Advocacy Committee Chair, and Tracey McEntire as GAD Banner Editor. We are looking forward to working with them for 2011-2013.
I was invited by MGCGAD President to attend in their chapter meeting on September 17, 2011. I was so impressed with their meeting process and I could see that the members were in a great spirit. I am so proud of them. I was so excited to meet new officers and provided an oath to all new officers. Keep up the good work!
Good news!! We are now fundraising for ASL Films movie called “Versa Effect” which will be held at Cave Spring Elementary School in Cave Spring, GA on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The admission would be $11.00 for tickets. All money will proceed to the benefits to GAD. Please come and join our fun movie!
GAD was sending Russell Fleming, Vice-President, to go to National Leadership Training Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 15-17, 2011. We are looking forward to his sharing experience from his journey.
NWGAD Chapter will have a post homecoming bonfire on Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 6pm til midnight. The admission ticket would be $6.00. All money goes proceed to NWGAD and GAD. We hope that you can come and join us for socializing.
GSD Homecoming will be held at the football field at Cave Spring Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, October 8, 2011. There will have a lot of booths/exhibits so please come and grab the fun!
AASD will have a Fall Festival on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 11am to 3pm. If you need more information, please feel free to contact Carrie Kalberg at ckalberg@doe.k12.ga.us and VP at 866-639-0470.
Happy Fall!!!!
Julie Burton, GAD President
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(From GAD Banner : July – September 2011)
The Georgia Association of the Deaf 2011 Conference Callaway Gardens was a delight. We had numerous workshops that informed the deaf community about FEMA/GEMA and how to deal with natural disastersl about the status of mental health services in Georgia and other issues important to us. Thanks to Barry Critchfield!!
The hotel Mountain Creek Inn provided a wonderful facility with a “laid back” atmosphere with several scrumptious meals. The “Beauty Pageant” was hilarious as the contestants “strutted their stuff” and regaled the audience with their comments.
Bobby Jones, as nominations Chairman, ran a good election. Julie Burton was elected GAD President. She had been acting President since Ray Williams resigned. Her opponent was Bob Green. As one member stated, they are both cherished members of the deaf community. Russell Fleming was elected as Vice President in a tight race with Hal Suddreth. Amy Cohen Efron was unopposed for the Secretary position as did Michael Tucci who will be starting his second term as treasurer. Everyone was impressed with Mike’s very organized financial report. Amy has redesigned the GAD website. Everyone agreed it was the looking site to date. She intends to add several new features and improve the GAD Facebook and Twitter accounts.
John Groth, newly elected President of the NWGAD Chapter, was acting as the conference chairman since Doyle Allbritton was unable to continue in that because of his mother’s declining health. John created a beautiful poem about GAD for the awards’ program.
Sarah Irvin, membership chairman, handled registration and all the details of making a conference run smooth. She is a “real tropper.” Thanks to Lynette McElwee for making the name tages.
Thanks to Mike Burton and Henry Carter for taking photographs. Thanks to Sarah Irvin for being the Beauty Pageant Mistress of Ceremonies and coordinating that event. Thanks to Russell Fleming for working with me and John Groth to make the conference happen and for the lovely Program Book.
I am looking forward to working with GAD to make this very successful for 2011-2013!!!!
Deafinitely,
Julie Burton
