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Laura Kennedy NYSARC, Inc President
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NYSARC's Fall Board of Governors Meeting Brings Change
The NYSARC Board of Governors held their semi-annual meeting on October 21 and 22, 2016. At the meeting the Board of Governors considered and approved a governance restructuring that had been recommended by the Governance Workgroup. Once implemented, NYSARC will be divided into eight regions, instead of the current four, to maximize the opportunities for NYSARC members to become involved close-to-home. Each region will meet at least twice per year under the leadership of the regional Vice Presidents. Also approved was the downsizing of the Board of Governors from the current 148 to having one Board of Governor per Chapter, currently 53. The Board of Governors will meet more frequently, at least four times per year, and there will be weighted voting to preserve the number of votes per Chapter under the new structure. In her remarks at the Board of Governors meeting, NYSARC President Laura Kennedy, praised the governance changes as the right prescription to help NYSARC increase family engagement and be more nimble in responding to the changing environment.
Over the past year, the Governance Workgroup of the Board of Governors developed recommendations that would help the Board of Governors be responsive, representative, participatory, and timely. The recommended changes are consistent with the results of a survey of NYSARC and Chapter leaders that showed support for adjusting the size of the Board of Governors, having the Board of Governors meet more frequently, and increasing the number of regions to foster regional participation and advocacy.
At the Board of Governors meeting, NYSARC was greeted by and honored several self advocates. Adrian Espostio, The Arc's winner of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award and the NYSARC 2015 Self-Advocate of the Year Award opened the Board of Governors meeting and showed the trailer to his new movie, Diffability Hollywood.
John Piestrzynski, representing our Essex Chapter, addressed the Delegate Assembly and showed a video chronically his journey to becoming an
Adirondack 46er
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At the Delegate Assembly meeting of the Board of Governors, NYSARC President Laura Kennedy, of the NYC Chapter, was re-elected for a third one-year term. Other officers elected were:
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. John Kowalczyk - Central Region
VICE PRESIDENTS
Arthur Stilwell - Western Region
Robert DeSio - Northeast Region
Saundra M. Gumerove, Esq. - Southeast Region
TREASURER
Lori Martindale
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Richard Sisson
SECRETARY
Shelley Winters
REPRESENTATIVES
Angelo DeFelippo, III - Northeast Region
Mark Metzger - Southeast Region
Cheryl Englert - Western Region
Patricia Campanella - Central Region
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Rose Mary Cella
Jerome W. Isaacs
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
John A. Schuppenhauer, Esq.
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Genevieve O'Neil
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Genevieve O'Neil named 2016 Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a NYSARC, Inc. volunteer in recognition of continued dedication, service, and advocacy on behalf of people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Selecting an individual from so many worthy candidates is a difficult task but in the end the honor is given to a person who exemplifies the work and mission of the NYSARC Organization.
Receiving this year's honor was Mrs. Genevieve O'Neil, a longtime volunteer from the New York City Chapter. Genevieve, better known as Gene to her family and friends, is the loving mother of three children, two of whom were born with Down syndrome.
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NYSARC Self-Advocate of the Year
"Be strong. Be confident. Believe in yourself." That's the advice from this year's Self Advocate of the Year Award winner Ms. Jennifer Gugliotti. Jennifer, supported by our Delaware County Chapter, has not only bettered herself, she has taken what she has learned and has shared it with those around her. Jennifer has determined that working with children is her life's passion. To achieve this, Jennifer works with staff daily to improve her academic knowledge. She actively searches for opportunities to enhance her skills and willingly shares her abilities with those around her.
In addition to her commitment to her own education, Jennifer actively campaigned for and served as the Secretary of THRIVE, Delaware Chapter's Self-Advocacy Group. Jennifer was selected to represent THRIVE at The Arc's national convention in 2010 ans 2012 and had received THRIVE's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2015.
To help mark this year's important achievement as being selected NYSARC's Self-Advocate of the Year, Jennifer received an award plaque and an Apple iPad Mini generously donated each year by CMI Communications.
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David Nitto Wins the Imagine Art Competition
Swirl Reef by Otsego Chapter's talented David Nitto was chosen as the winner of NYSARC's first ever art competition. Nitto's painting, which was designed to be hung on the ceiling, was awarded First Place among over 30 pieces that were entered in the contest. Mr. Nitto won a $300 Visa gift card.
The second place winner was Patsy by the
Collaborative Artists from our Saratoga Chapter. Third place went to Cityscape, by Mark Klug of Montgomery Chapter.
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Companies Recognized for Commitment in Providing Meaningful Employment
Each year NYSARC, Inc. at Chapters are encouraged to recognize an individual, corporation, or business in their community that has demonstrated outstanding support in providing job opportunities for people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities. This year's recipients include Village Bakery and Café, Food Cellar, Auto Solutions, and Top's Friendly Markets.
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2016 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Awards
The Thomas A Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award was established to recognize DSPs who consistently demonstrate excellence, creativity, and commitment in providing supports to people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities. This year's winners include:
Northeast Region- Christopher Miller from our Warren, Washington and Albany Counties Chapter
Western Region-
Justin Santas from our Allegany Chapter
Southeast Region-Kelly Anderson from the New York City Chapter
Central Region- Jodi Miller from our Chemung County Chapter
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From left to right: Justin Santos, Christopher Miller, Kelly Anderson, Jodi Miller
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Keynote Speaker Captures/Touches the Hearts and Minds of Meeting Participants
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| H.R. "Rud" Turnbull |
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During his address, the speaker sometimes emotional, emphasized the overarching need to treat people with disabilities with dignity and respect. Mr. Turnbull spent most of the presentation sharing special anecdotal stories about his
so
n Jay who was born with autism and bipolar disorder. Sadly, Jay passed away at the age of 41. Mr. Turnbull explained that Jay worked at a real job and earned actual income, and that he was part of the community with a rich social life and friendships.
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Coarc Thanks Four Corners Energy for Supporting Bottle Redemption Center
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John Hamor, Andrea McMaster from Four Corners Energy and Desiree Elliott, Jamie Simpson and CEO Ken Stall from Coarc
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Coarc thanks Four Corners Energy for generously supporting our Bottle Redemption Center with a $500 donation. The Bottle Redemption Center offers a convenient and easy way for the public to receive cash for their cans and bottles (no more waiting on line at the grocery store!). It also provides paid employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, so customers can feel good about bringing their recyclables to us and still receive 5 cents per can/bottle. Located at 630 Route 217, Mellenville, the hours are Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm. Donations and drop-offs are gladly accepted.
Click here to support the Bottle Redemption Center.
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Announcing AHRC NYC's Groundbreaking Partnership
AHRC New York City is excited to announce a groundbreaking enterprise project intended to even further its commitment to assist people with I/DD to build full lives in the community. AHRC New York City in partnership with Core Solutions is currently developing a Long Term Services and Supports Electronic Health Record (LTSS EHR) utilizing Core Solutions' modern technology platform Cx360. The platform is being enhanced with customized functionality to meet New York State's financial, compliance and regulatory requirements for I/DD providers. The LTSS EHR will profoundly impact AHRC New York City's capacity to manage operations, to provide services, to improve operational controls and quality, to automate information exchange, and to make informed decisions in the current fee-for- service environment and in New York State's transition to managed care and value based payment models.
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Staff Development Room Dedicated to Long-Time Board Member
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| Maryann Bruner |
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The Arc of Chemung recently held a dedication ceremony to honor Maryann Bruner, who served on the agency's Board from 1981-2016 and the NYSARC Board of Governors, in various leadership roles, from 1989-2015. The Arc's new Staff Development Room was named the Maryann Bruner Staff Development Room in recognition of her dedication to the agency, staff members, and the people supported.
To Maryann's surprise, guests not only included representatives from The Arc of Chemung's Board of Directors and Leadership Team, but long-time friends, and colleagues, including Laura Kennedy, NYSARC Inc.'s Board President, and Pat Campanella, former VP of NYSARC's Central Region.
Cheryl Guild, The Arc of Chemung's Board President, said, "Maryann has always encouraged staff to develop their full potential. Naming this space in her honor is the least we could do." Guild also announced, "Additionally, we want to further Maryann's legacy by establishing a staff development award, to be named The Maryann Bruner Staff Development Award. This award will encourage ongoing training and professional growth, in our field, for all staff members at The Arc of Chemung."
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#bFair2DirectCare Billboard at Times Square
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#bFair2DirectCare
Coalition holds rallies across New York
Advocates for people with developmental disabilities - including members of the #bFair2DirectCarecoalition, direct service providers, local agencies, parents, and self-advocates - have been holding rallies across the state to highlight the need to for the state to cover the cost of paying direct service providers a living wage. Participants will lay out a multi-year program - $45 million annually - to accomplish that goal.
Follow the advocacy campaign on their
Facebook page.
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