Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong Join us for Our 15th Annual Anniversary Conference and Celebration! Today: Believe Tomorrow: Achieve! Keynote Speaker Sandy Houghton MDDC Self Advocacy Leadership Series Developer/Trainer Founding Member of MASS The Sandy Houghton Story With Remarks by DDS Commissioner Elin Howe Saturday, December 1, 2012 8am to 4 pm (Registration 8 to 9) The Best Western Royal Plaza 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752-1883 Toll Free (888) 543-9500 - (508) 460-0700 Hotel rooms are available at a reduced rate. First Come First served so call the Best Western and reserve early!
MASS Board of Directors Janet Laperle, Chairperson Central Elizabeth Rivera, 1st Vice-Chairperson West James Williams, Treasurer Central Mary Ellen Grelle, Secretary NE Anne Fracht, Immediate Past Chairperson, Metro Karen DeSantis, NE David Hartry, Central Tom Kelley, Metro John Mims, Metro Elizabeth Ponte, SE Debbie Laroche, West Bill Hurley, West Dirk Fuller, Central Glen Rogers, NE Peter Filosa, NE Patty Lopes, SE Joshua Spencer, SE Advisors: Sybriena Devoe, Jason Marino, Shirley Wiggins, Faythe Cote, Michael Baumgartner, Shannon Campbell, Monique Laperle, Jennifer May Benoit, John Kingara, Michael Filosa, Sally Pardoe, Terri Ward STAFF Ed Bielecki, State Coordinator Bridget Crowley, Northeast Coordinator Susan Moriarty, Central Coordinator Lesley Siegel, Office Manager Marie Hennessy, EPA Project Coordinator Patty Quatieri, Administrative Assistant James Andersen, Financial Consultant Contact Information Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (M.A.S.S.) Mailing address : PO Box 6025 North Plymouth, MA. 02362-6025 Office address: 500 Harrison Avenue #230 Boston, MA 02118 Tel:1-617-624-7549 Fax: 1-617-542-5116 Toll free: 1-866-IAMABLE or 1-866-426-2253 (MA only) e-mail: MASS.office.info@gmail.com Visit our website: www.mass-advocates.org
8:00 Registration 9:00 Welcome and Explanation of the Day Janet Laperle 9:15 Opening Remarks Commissioner Elin Howe 9:30 Your Keynote Speaker Sandy Houghton, Co-Founder of MASS 9:55 Break (15 minutes) 10:10 Regional Meetings and Elections Each region will elect new members to the MASS State Board 11:15 Break 11:30 Workshop Sessions We are proud to offer these workshops to you today... 1. Legislative Advocacy Bingo - Dan Bak, Anne Benoit and Others This workshop will discuss the ways people can lobby, advocate and impress their legislators on a state level. Best practices will be discussed in the format of fun. 2. The Learning Tool: Recognize the 5 types of Abuse - Karen Norton, Sandra Norlin, Chad Linstruth, Megan Anderson Interactive training on abuse. People will break into groups led by trainers to use the tool. 3. First Believe in Yourself; Then You Will Reach Your Dreams- Joseph Canto, Flo Durkee, Dianna Lopilato, Andrea Tascon, Barbara Pandolfi Hear about the dreams of self-advocates and what they did to achieve them. Be inspired to reach your own goals! 4. How Technology Affects our Lives and WHAT is Technology Anyway? - Angel Arthur We will talk about how new technologies are positively impacting the lives of persons with disabilities. We will have examples for people to try. 5. I is for Individual My ISP - Susan Harrington, Holly Lynn Palmer, Neil Lazzara This presentation will focus on how YOU can participate in your ISP. We will tell 10 things you can do to have a successful ISP. 12:30 Lunch (provided) Special Guests Recognition Awards Nancy Maynard Leadership Awards Gunnar Dybwad Supporter Awards Craig Smith Spirit Award Announcement of New Board of Directors 2:00 Surprise Celebration and Open Microphone CELEBRATE!! Music/talk with MASS leaders/movies/history tables/and power point screens 3:45 Final Thoughts Please fill out the evaluations!!!
Check out our WEB SITE www.mass-advocates.org Check out and like us Follow us on Twitter: @MASSadvocates1 Want to help Change the System: Really get our voices heard! We NEED you! We are looking for self-advocates to be on various important committees on issues important to all of us Advocacy Self-Determination Transportation MASSHEALTH Legislative Advocacy Jobs Being Safe Conference Planning Leadership DDS Citizen Advisory Boards and other Committees Important government advocacy meetings You can help by being a self-advocate leader! Most Transportation cost provided or ride worked out! Call the MASS office at 617-624-7549 and let us know or by e-mail at mass.office.info@gmail.com Sign up at the MASS table!
Please write clearly. Conference Registration Form One Registration per form please Name: Address: City State Zip Code E-mail Address: Phone: Special Accommodations: Sign Language Interpreter: Special Diet: (specify) Other: Chicken Meal Vegetarian Meal AMOUNT ENCLOSED Self-Advocate ($40) $ Friend (Supporters, Other attendees) ($45) $ support people MUST Register Additional Contribution/Donation If you can, we thank you. Total Amount Enclosed $ $ Please mail the completed form with check or money order made payable to M.A.S.S. by November 16, 2012 to: M.A.S.S PO Box 6025 North Plymouth, MA 02362-6025
Driving Directions to The Best Western Royal Plaza 181 Boston Post Road West Marlborough, MA 01752-1883 Toll Free (888) 543-9500 - (508) 460-0700 DIRECTIONS: Take exit 24b off Interstate 495. Hotel is one mile on the right. For GPS users, the address is: 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752 Please Remember: Everyone must have paid the registration fee to enter the conference. This includes all support people. Thank you! Need more information? Call Lesley at (617) 624-7549 Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong PO Box 6025 North Plymouth, MA. 02362-6025