TSA of Greater Washington

 

 


March 2013
In This Issue
Annual Meeting Downloads
Two New YA's
Summer Camp!
Welcome Board Members
Join TSA & TSAGW
Support Group Updates
Quick Links
 
TSAGW 

Serving Virginia, Maryland and DC.

5851 Deale Churchton Rd.

Suite 4

Deale, MD 20751

410-867-1151

www.tsagw.org

admin@tsagw.org

 

TSAGW logo 
Thank you to those who attended our Annual Meeting on February 24 - and to our presenter Mark Etzel, Youth Ambassador Jackson Guyton, and panel members Kelley Handshaw, Seth Tucker and Devyn Nelson - it was a great event!  Read on for more details about the meeting, summer camp for kids with TS, chapter news, and upcoming Support Group activities.
Annual Meeting  -  The Downloads
"Cracking the Code: Building your Educational Advocacy Skills"
If you weren't able to attend the Annual Meeting on February 24, it's not too late to get the downloads.  The slides from Mark Etzel's presentation are on the website and can be downloaded here.  The Chairman's Letter on chapter activities can be viewed here. 
The meeting also included volunteer recognition, particularly of two important and long-serving board members, Jim Merklinger and Susie Edelson. Both are continuing as volunteers, but stepping down after more than 10 years each on the Board. Board resolutions honoring both were given, as well as letters of commendation from Judit Unger, President/CEO of the National TSA.  Thank you to Jim and Susie for their leadership and dedication to TSAGW!
TSAGW Congratulates our New YA's
Two Virginia Youth Ambassadors selected this year
National TSA accepted the chapter nominations of two commendable Virginia teens this year - congratulations to Samantha Swindell of Vienna and Gavin McCool of Midlothian (Richmond are).  They will participate in YA training to be held in Arlington, VA March 19-21, which will include a trip to Capitol Hill to visit their representatives.  Once home, they will join our existing Youth Ambassadors and be available to present to classrooms and other youth groups to raise awareness and understanding of TS. Contact the chapter office if you would like to arrange for a YA presentation at your school or for a youth group.  We have trained YA's in VA and MD who can be available to present.
Camp Connect for Kids with TS
Time to register - Camp runs June 23-29   
Camp Connect is part of the group of Brainy Camps run by a non-profit organization that is a subsidiary of the Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine at Chilldren's National Medical Center.  All of the camps were developed to provide a fun, residential camp for children living with chronic health conditions. The camp is staffed by health care professionals and this particular camp for children age 7-17 with TS has been operating for 8 summers.  The camp is in High View, WV, not far from Winchester, VA. Check it out!
Welcome Our New Board Members
TSAGW membership elects 4 new board members
Congratulations and thanks to the four new members of the TSAGW Board.  Interestingly, none of the four lives in the DC Metro area - all are from other parts of our chapter area!  Welcome Jessica Gibson of Virginia Beach, VA, Michelle Guyton of Phoenix, MD, Kelley Handshaw of Richmond, VA and Sky Sharma of Hampton, VA.  Here, you can read their Statements of Interest in joining the Board.  These new board members join the 4 current members, Marla Gabala, Judith Krauthamer, Mark Etzel and Todd Feldman. We appreciate your willingness to serve!
Join TSA and TSAGW Today
Membership in TSA includes TSA of Greater Washington 

Have you joined TSA this year?  If not, we encourage you to make the investment in the only national organization dedicated to advocacy and research on behalf of those living with TS.  Most non-profits, including National TSA and TSAGW, have struggled over the past several years during the economic downturn and are now trying to build back up with the help of our supporters and frieinds.  Individual membership is just $45/year and benefits include quarterly newsletters, research updates, and support of TSAGW, your local chapter, and our services. Please visit the TSA site to join online or to download the form - and thank you!

Support Group Updates
Connect with others, learn, share.  
The Virginia Beach/Tidewater support group steering committee - meeting - Saturday, March 16 at 1pm at the Greenbrier Panera - 1412 Greenbriar Parkway, Chesapeake. They welcome more steering committee members - please contact Jessica Gibson for more information
  
Frederick MD - Next Meeting -  March 20 at 6:30pm
Meeting at Trinity United Methodist Church at 703 West Patrick Street, Frederick MD 21701 in room 109. This meeting is for both children and adults. Kristi Hallman, LCSW, will facilitate a discussion about how to advocate for yourself and how to teach your child to explain TS to others. If you want more information about the group or this meeting, please email Diane Thornley.
  
North Baltimore - Earth Treks Climbing Event - March 17, 3-5pm
No climbing experience required for this exciting rock wall climbing event at Earth Treks in Timonium. Activities for non-climbers, too. Cost is $25 for climbers, but its free to watch and socialize with other families. RSVP to Alicia ASAP for available spots..
  
Northern Virginia - Next Meeting - April 3 - 7-9pm
The next meeting of the NoVA group will focus on educational advocacy - watch for details in our reminder email later this month.  The group meets at Fair Oaks Hospital and directions and parking information can be found on the Support Group page of our website.   
 
The Richmond area support group - Bowling Party - April 13 - 1pm Mark your calendar - this will be fun for the whole family!  The location is the Bowl America Short Pump located at 4400 Pouncey Tract Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060.  Watch for an email with all the details to follow soon.  To get in touch with the group for more information, email Beth Baxter.
  
The Montgomery/Howard County MD support group steering committee welcomes additional members.  Please reply here to offer your assistance as we get together to plan group activities.
As always, if you need assistance or information, or would like to offer your help to the chapter, please contact us at admin@tsagw.org or call the office at 410-867-1151.  We look forward to hearing from you!