Friday May 18

10:30am –1:00pm
Awards Luncheon with special guest Michael Aronin
Michael Aronin knows two things: he's got a killer sense of humor, and he's got cerebral palsy. He’ll draw on both to help you see it’s not the disability – or your challenges – stopping you from achieving, but your attitude. For more about Michael, you visit his website, www.michaelaronin.com.

We’ll also honor the 2007 Award Recipients. These individuals, groups, and local Arc chapters are nominated by their peers and volunteers for outstanding contributions in the field of developmental disabilities.

1:15pm – 2:45pm
Breakouts

Quickie Fundraisers: Earn easy money fast!
A panel of local chapter representatives will share sure-fire ideas and resources that you can take back to your chapter or group.

Conductive Education/Therapy
Katalin Vizy, Cerebral Palsy Ability Center
Learn a new physical therapy method that focuses on how coordination can be improved through a guided (conducted) learning process.

Project Ride: Using Public Transportation
Denise Thomas, Transportation Project Manager, SEEC
Gain the tools to use low cost, flexible public transportation systems thus broadening your opportunities for employment, recreation, access to the arts, education, and an array of other community activities.

How to Make Transition Easier
Karla Robeson, Senior Support Coordinator, The Arc of Frederick, Karen Younkins, Frederick Supervisor, DORS and Michele Weddle, Teacher Specialist, Frederick County Public Schools.Who among us has felt prepared for that transition from school to what’s waiting next? The process can bring up issues that you may find overwhelming. Join us to hear strategies for easing any transition whether you are a parent, an educator, an advocate or support staff.

2:45pm –3:15pm
Break – enjoy conversation & a lite bite

3:15pm – 4:45 pm
Breakouts

Inclusive Education in 2007
Selene Almazan, Director of Advocacy Services, MCIE
Hear about the changes that accompany the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – 2006 Re-authorization.

FISH – “Catch the Energy. Release the Potential” Making work more fun!
Bryan Sorrentino, Staff Development Coordinator, The Arc of Howard County
Come and Learn the about the 4 practices of The FISH! Philosophy. The FISH! Philosophy is an invitation to re-awaken the self-trusting, creative spirit within each of us. Start new conversations about what's possible and develop new attitudes about how you show up both at home and in the workplace. FISH! inspires you to have fun again, at work, at school and at home every day of the week!

Is your Organization Prepared for An Emergency?
Carl Cameron, Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness; JK Ferrell, Director of Training, The Arc of Baltimore; Joann Knapp, Director of Emergency Preparedness Policy, Maryland Department of Disabilities
Learn the ins and outs of writing effective emergency plans. Gain a better understanding of what an Emergency Preparedness Plan includes in order to comply with the new regulations in Maryland.

My Health, My Decision
Join us for a special peer-to-peer training session on making health decisions. You’ll leave with sound advice and plenty of resources.

5:45pm-7:00pm
President’s Reception

7:00pm
Dinner & Dance
Come aboard matey’s for a night of fun and friends. Join us for an evening of pillaging and plundering – of a delicious meal that is! Pull on your best justaucorps and pair of them dandy slops. Don your eye patch and neckerchief. Polish the buckles on your shoes. But leave your swords, blades and firearms at home!

Saturday May 19
8:30am-9:30am

Breakfast

9:00am– 10:30am
Town meeting – Where’s The Arc headed?
Jerry Adams, Executive Director, Human Services Institute
This Town Hall Meeting style presentation will focus with 20/20 hindsight on the history of The Arc movement stopping to remember some of the foibles, bumps and hiccups along the way. Does anyone remember The Arc US ad, “Bennie is 50 years old today, but he will be 5 years old the rest of his life” in Life magazine in 1975? Once we’ve had a laugh at our own expense, we will look to the North Star and create a vision of our Arc future, and what The Arc of Maryland must do to create that future.

10:45am – 12:15pm
Breakouts

The Real Story on the New Directions Waiver
Edward Willard and Jackie Golden, My Life Going FAR, TASH
Learn more about how the New Directions Waiver works and the sort of control it can bring to your life or your family's life. Hear from individuals using New Directions and how it is going.

Life Goes On
Joe Cardiff and his sister Jerilyn, Carol Fried, Allen & Marilyn Trainer, The Arc of Montgomery- Parent to Parent
So your child moves out. What’s next? Join us for a look at a Parent Mentoring program that supports parents through the move and the transition when a family member leaves. Hear a personal story that proves some change is good.

Diversifying a Board of Directors Struggling to build a board that is as diverse as your community? This session especially for chapter staff and leaders will offer resources and strategies for building a culturally diverse board.

YEA Youth Leadership Training Program
Anne Marie Lane, Project Director, YEA
The session will introduce the YEA Program and provide local Arcs an exciting opportunity to sponsor training in Self-advocacy and Leadership Skills for Transition age youth. The program contains 40, 1-hour lessons divided into 4 modules. The modules are: Self-advocacy/Self-determination Skills, Learning About Employment, Identifying and Using Community Resources, and Increasing Student Involvement in the IEP Process. Each participate will receive a CD copy of the newly developed 250 page, Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA) Youth Leadership Training Program.

12:15pm–1:30pm
Annual Board meeting & Board Retreat (lunch included)