2010 OADDP (OAPMRDD) Annual Conference Recap:

The 2010 OADDP Annual Leadership Conference was fun, informative, and a great time to catch up with friends from around the state!  
Invited speakers: Sally Berger, DODD; Melissa Clark, legislative updates; Kathy McKinley, legal updates  
Total in attendance: 60 (57 pre-registered, 3 registering at the conference)  
New members: 4  
Counties represented: 11 (Ashland, Clermont, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Geauga, Lake, Portage, Stark, and Summit)  
County with most attendees: Ashland, with 14 members (Lake County was second with 10 members)  
LRCs in attendance: Theresa Whitney (Clermont), Todd Jaeck (Geauga), Chlo Leidy (Lake), Bob Matkowski (Stark), Ernest Blanden (Medina)  
OEA: Vice-President Bill Liebensperger; Secretary-Treasurer Jim Timlin  
NEOEA: Past President Dale Kain  
Total conference cost: $6,760  
OEA support of conference: $3000  
Noteworthy: members voted to change our name to the Ohio Association of Developmental Disabilities Professionals (OADDP)

Steve Spall
OADDP Vice-Chairperson

 

March 5-6, 2010 at Mohican State Park Lodge Conference Center

The Ohio Association of Professionals for the MRDD (now OADDP) Annual Leadership Conference was held Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Mohican Resort & Conference Center.  The content of the conference was designed for County Board of DD members.  This was a great opportunity for members to meet old friends and make new ones.

Registration cost was $20.00 for members or $29.00 for non-members which also covered the cost of joining (Lifetime OADDP-Retired membership is $35.)  Guests were welcome at a cost of $64.00 for meals, plus tax and service charge.  Scholarships were available from NEOEA for members who belong to locals who are part of NEOEA.  See the website for the NEOEA OAPMRDD Scholarship form and information.

Admission to all sessions, meals, snacks and two complimentary beverages from the lounge was included with registration. Room reservations were made separately at Mohican Resort & Conference Center.*

At the Saturday business meeting, an election was held for officers and voting on a C & B proposal to change the name of the organization from the “Ohio Association of Professionals for the MRDD” (OAPMRDD) to the “Ohio Association of Developmental Disabilities Professionals” (OADDP) and remove all references to “Mental Retardation/MR”.  Certificates of attendance were issued at the conclusion of the conference. ODODD Professional Development hours were approved.

Schedule of Events:

 

Registration began at 5:00 on Friday in the lobby of the Lodge, with dinner starting at 6:00. After dinner, there was a short program, including a welcome from OEA officers and candidates, a presentation by Melissa Clark from OEA Governmental Services detailing issues from the ODoDD Priority Work Plan, Summary Report, and the Olmstead Report: Balancing and Beyond Update. We kicked-off our FCPE Drive and the evening concluded with a Social Hour!

Saturday breakfast was at 8:00. Kathy McKinley, OEA Attorney, spoke at 9:00, explaining how members can protect themselves from legal troubles while on the job. She was followed by Sally Berger from the ODoDD. There was an OAPMRDD business meeting to deal with the name change proposal and to elect officers.

Saturday’s lunch was followed by an entertaining guest speaker, Amy Ryan Rued, a Certified Laughter Coach, who provided us with a fun way to deal with stress and change; and then we got down to Local Association basics with roundtable discussions on Public Relations, Association Newsletters, and ideas to increase Membership Involvement. Download the notes from the Roundtable Discussions.

For complete reports on the 2010 Annual Conference, see the Spring 2010 Newsline.

Poster Session:

Something great going on in your program?  Is there a staff member with an innovative program going on?  Does your vocational program include a successful retail operation?

Plan now to showcase whatever you’re proudest of at the Poster Session that will be part of OAPMRDD Annual Conference.  Take some pictures, write up a description, bring a sample of your wares – put it all on a poster board to share with your colleagues.   The posters will be displayed all weekend and you’ll have a chance to brag about your project.

If you plan to participate, please contact Jené Wilson or Steve Spall so we can be sure to have enough space for everyone.

Registration:

OAPMRDD will provide Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and snack to all registered participants. Registration is $20.00 for members and $29.00 for non-OAPMRDD members who are eligible to be members. (Lifetime OAPMRDD-Retired membership is $35.) Guests are welcome at a cost of $64.00 for meals, plus tax and service charge. Registration is limited, so please register early. Return the registration form or send the information to Steve Spall before February 28. Make checks payable to “OAPMRDD”. Cancellations will be accepted until March 4.  Anyone that does not cancel by then and does not attend will be billed the cost of the meals.

Scholarships are available from NEOEA for members who belong to locals who are part of NEOEA.  See the website NEOEA for the OAPMRDD Scholarship form and information.

Registration Form:

Download Registration Form (PDF)

*LODGING:

Each participant must reserve their own lodging. The OAPMRDD group rate is $109.00 plus tax for a single or double room, $10.00 additional for third person. The same rate is available Saturday night. Call or go online Mohican Resort & Conference Center to make room reservations by February 14, 2010 at 1-800-AT A PARK.  If you have questions, contact Jené Wilson.