The Ohio Association of Developmental Disabilities Professionals Annual Leadership Conference was held Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Mohican State Park Resort and Conference Center. The entire conference was tailored to Developmental Disabilities staff concerns and was especially important in helping DD staff understand and cope with the severe restrictions on collective bargaining and state funding cuts that are anticipated.
After dinner on Friday night, we heard from Jim Timlin, OEA Secretary-Treasurer, who gave an update on Am.Sub. SB-5 which had just passed the Ohio senate. We kicked of our OEA-FCPE Fundraising drive with a rousing presentation by Pete Hackman, OEA Political Action Consultant, with assistance from Bob Matkowski, OEA Staff Liaison. Members finished the evening with our networking social hour.
Saturday morning started with breakfast and a presentation by Beth Nagy, NEA Member Benefits, explaining how members can save many times the cost of their dues by taking advantage of NEA Member Benefits and the OEA ACCESS Program. Perennial guest speaker and OEA Plan Attorney, Kathy McKinley, reviewed how our legal rights would be drastically curtailed by the provisions of Am.Sub. SB-5. Matt Dotson gave us a detailed legislative update on Am.Sub. SB-5 and pending pension reform legislation.
After lunch we heard from Joanne Fry, Cuyahoga County SLP, who shared pictures and video clips from her travels around Kenya, Africa in her presentation “Services to People with Disabilities around the World.” We then held a brief OADDP annual Meeting and raffled off a new GPS unit. Many prizes donated by Bd of DD locals were raffled off during the two day conference.
Registration cost was $20.00 for members and $29.00 for non-members, which also covered the cost of joining OADDP. Admission to all sessions, meals, snacks and two complimentary beverages from the lounge were included with registration. Room reservations were made separately. The OADDP group rate was $109.00 plus tax for a single or double room, $10.00 additional for third person. The same rate was available Saturday night.
Certificates of attendance were issued at the conclusion of the conference. OD of DD Professional Development hours are pending.
Scholarships were available from some OEA District Associations.
The Annual Conference is a great opportunity to network with DD staff from around the state. Members are encouraged to bring a friend from their local. Registration information is mailed to all OADDP members in January. The content of the conference was designed for County Board of DD members, however much information will be applicable for Local District members. This is a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones.
2011 Annual Conference Recap
The 2011 OADDP Annual Leadership Conference was held at Mohican State Park Lodge. As always it was fun, informative, and a great time to catch up with friends from around the state!
Keynote speakers:
- Jim Timlin, OEA Secretary/Treasurer
- Peter Hackman, OEA Political Action Consultant
- Beth Nagy, NEA Member Services
- Kathy McKinley, OEA Plan Attorney – Legal updates
- Matt Dotson, OEA Governmental Services
- Joanne Fry, Cuyahoga Co SLP – Services to Persons with Disabilities in Africa
Total in attendance: 52
New members: 6
Counties represented: 11
Ashland, Columbiana, Cuyahoga,
Erie, Franklin, Geauga, Lake, Medina,
Portage, Stark, and Summit
County with most attendees:
Ashland, with 11 members
OADDP Retirees: 4
Deena Barrett, Hank Haynes, Russ O’Brien, Jene’ Wilson
OADDP Scholarships: two (PATMR)
LRCs in attendance: 5
Helen Groman (Columbiana),
Todd Jaeck (Geauga), Chlo Leidy (Lake),
Bob Matkowski (Stark), Dan Day (Summit)
Plan to attend next year’s OADDP conference.
Mark your calendars for March 2-3, 2012.
Steve Spall
OADDP Vice-Chairperson