| Words
Of Wisdom
Dawn LaRue Wittwer
MRA President
Summer’s over? No it can’t be. Didn’t it just
start? Questions we ask every summer (well at least I do), as there
were all these plans, but we just didn’t seem to get to them.
We put off yet another task to “another day.” How many
of us in our work lives, say “I’ll do it tomorrow…next
week…maybe Monday…” And does that task affect
anyone else but you? I’m betting it does. When you’re
reviewing your job tasks, consider that question, especially when
it comes to working with other people who are depending on our assistance
to help them reach their employment goals.
But
you say, “School’s back in session… a new Federal
budget year is approaching…” It’s a busy time
of year, but when isn’t it busy? Take time for your self to
get rejuvenated to better serve our customers. One way to do so
is by joining us at the Fall conference. Sugar Lake Lodge is a beautiful
site to help put you in the right rejuvenation frame of mind. Then
there are a wide variety of topics (see conference insert) that
should appeal to one and all to help us grow in our professional
endeavors.
On
another note, did you know that professional dues and fees not covered
by your employer can be written off on your taxes? This includes
MRA membership, conferences, certification update fees, mileage,
supplies, etc. Keep those receipts. If you would like a receipt
for MRA conferences, let us know.
And
finally, a reminder. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2002.
This is a big election year, not just in the bid for the governor’s
race, but for many legislative posts as well. Learn about the candidates
and please VOTE!
Fall
Conference Preview
Abbie Wells-Herzog
Conference Committee Co-Chair
October brings falling leaves, football games, and the MRA Fall
Training Conference. Back by popular demand, the conference will
be held at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge, in Grand Rapids, October
2 to 4, 2002.
October’s
conference is offering a diverse array of topics chosen to meet
the needs of MRA members. Topics will include: Conflict Resolution,
Ethical Considerations in Assessment, Disability Management, Leadership
Development, Rehabilitation and the Change Paradigm, PACER’s
Project Swift, Expert Testimony, Assistive Technology, Transferable
Skills, ISEEK, Working with Native American Consumers, the Employment
Partnership Project, and Changes in Priority of Service.
The
conference kicks off with a golf tournament and fishing contest
on Wednesday afternoon. Bring a sweatshirt to stay cozy as you network
next to the bonfire on Wednesday evening. Thursday brings terrific
trainers, division meetings, the awards dinner, and dancing. Friday,
training continues, and the conference wraps up with fabulous door
prizes. Between training sessions you can enjoy Peak Leaf Season
on the shores of Sugar Lake.
This
edition of the Spotlight contains the conference registration form,
and the hotel registration form. Please note on the hotel registration,
that the double occupancy room rate requires sharing a sleeping
room. Lodging is limited, please make every effort to find a roommate
so more people can stay on the premises. See you at Sugar Lake!
TO
OUR SPOTLIGHT READERS...
We, as editors, depend on people in the rehabilitation community
to send us articles and information so we have something to include
in each issue! Therefore, we are challenging you, the rehabilitation
professional, to send us articles, information, comments and issues
to publish and share with other readers!
We
want the Spotlight to be a newsletter that gives information on
many of the issues facing rehab professionals throughout the state.
We want it to inform readers of upcoming changes, encouraging the
reader to consider how involved they can become in upcoming issues
that will affect their profession.
As
rehab professionals, we all have at least one success story which
we can look back on in times of need to get us through those times
in which we may feel the issues facing us too great to overcome.
We are encouraging you to send in articles pertaining to success
stories, whether it be small or large success stories. In sharing
these stories, we can reflect upon the positive changes we have
made in our own lives and the lives around us.
It’s
also an effective way to revitalize our spirits and give us the
strength to face issues that lie in front of us. These success stories
can come from anyone......counselors, placement persons, clerical,
interns...the list can go on and on! Come on, get those pens busy
and send us your stories! We, and the other readers, would love
to hear from you!!
BECAUSE
WE CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
Peggy
and Doreen
Co-Editors
MRA
AWARDS NOMINATIONS WANTED!
It’s
time to start thinking of your nominations for MRA awards. A variety
of awards are available each year for nomination. Awards will be
presented at the Fall MRA Conference, October 3, 2002, at Ruttger’s
Sugar Lake Lodge. The MRA Awards Committee reserves the right to
withhold an award based on lack of nominees. Let’s not let
this happen! We hope to have a number of nominations in each category.
The Awards Committee’s decision on all nominees is final.
The deadline for award nomination is Friday, September 6, 2002.
Nomination letters describing how the nominee meets the award criteria
should be sent to:
Rick Gubash
Rehabilitation Services
14551 County Road 11, Suite 140
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: (952) 431-9415
FAX: (952) 431-9403
E-Mail: rgubash@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us
Mary
Carlson Award
Presented to a person with a disability who has been successfully
employed for a period in excess of one year. Particular attention
will be paid to individuals whose accomplishments serve as examples
of determination and application of special skills to overcome a
vocational impediment. Stability of work, severity of disability
and uniqueness of the placement will be factors used in judging.
Meritorious Service Award
Presented to individuals who have demonstrated faithful service
to the association through their contributions to their profession
as well as to the community. This is an MRA internal award. Consideration
will be given both to quantitative and qualitative aspects of the
leadership and service provided.
Minnesota Citation
This award is presented to a public sector individual or organization
of State prominence who/which has made significant contributions
toward enrichment of the lives of people with disabilities. The
award may apply to professionals delivering service, volunteers
or any other individual who has championed the cause of people with
disabilities.
The President’s Award
Given to an individual or organization in the private sector who/which
has demonstrated outstanding achievement on behalf of people with
disabilities. The recipient of this award must have been involved
in activity over the preceding years which has resulted in major
and significant contributions to the rehabilitation of persons with
disabilities on a statewide basis.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented to an outstanding political figure who has
demonstrated leadership in improving the service system for people
with disabilities in the State of Minnesota. Consideration will
be given to persons with long-standing commitment to rehabilitation.
Special attention will be given to individuals who have dealt creatively
with problems in the tradition of Hubert H. Humphrey.
MRA
DIVISION AWARDS
(For more information or nomination forms, please contact the representative
listed. Please also note that each division has their own awards
committee.)
MINNESOTA
ASSOCIATION OF REHABILITATION SUPPORT STAFF (MARSS)
Kristen Quaal
Phone: (651) 649-5725
E-mail: kquaal@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us
Service to MARSS
Presented yearly to a MARSS member who has far exceeded standard
performance in their work for MARSS and the Rehabilitation field.
Support Staff Person of the Year
Presented to any support person, who has exhibited a dedication
to the field of rehabilitation through outstanding performance on
the job and/or related outside activities.
MARSS Courtesy Award
Presented to a person who has shown support for MARSS or contributed
to rehabilitation in general.
REHABILITATION
COUNSELOR’S ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA (RCAM)
Jodi Lindsay Prange
Phone: (952) 431-9409
E-mail: jprange@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us
Rehabilitation Counselor of the Year
Presented to a rehabilitation counselor for doing exceptional work
in the field of vocational rehabilitation
JOB
PLACEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (JPD)
Doris Illies
Phone: (320) 656-5608
E-mail: dorisillies@hotmail.com
Small Metro and Small Non-Metro Employer
Presented to employers with less than 100 employees which actively
recruits, demonstrates a willingness to make necessary accommodations
and seeks out assistance for their employee with a disability.
Large
Metro and Large Non-Metro Employer
Presented to employers with over 100 employees which actively recruits,
demonstrates a willingness to make necessary accommodations and
seeks out assistance for their employee with a disability.
JPD
Placement Person of the Year and Non-JPD Placement Person of the
Year
First
Annual MRA Fishing Contest
Fall
MRA Training Conference
Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN
Event Co-coordinators: Don Jensen & Ken Lundquist, District
E Reps
DATE:
Wednesday, October 2, 2002
TIME:
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
PLACE:
Meet at the accessible dock/boat house
FISHING
RODS: Bring your own or Ruttger’s will provide at no cost
TACKLE:
Bring your own, purchase at Boat House, or see Don or Ken for hooks,
sinkers, bobbers, etc.
FISHING
OPTIONS: YOUR CHOICE! From shore, docks, bring your own boat, rent
a Ruttger’s boat........or from a Ruttger’s pontoon
boat piloted by Steve Kuntz, Coleen Andresen and/or Jim Broderick
(cost approx. $12/person)
VALUABLE
PRIZES: Win great prizes awarded at the evening bon fire for:
1. Biggest Fish (any species)
2. Smallest Fish (any species)
3. Best Fish Story as told at the bon fire
FISHING
LICENSE: On your own!
REGISTRATION:
NOT NEEDED! Just show up at the dock!
FEES:
NONE! It’s another FREE perk for coming the the MRA Conference!
JUDGING:
By event coordinators: Ken Lundquist and Don Jensen, District E
Reps
QUESTIONS:
Call or e-mail Don Jensen (952-431-9407) Donald.Jensen@state.mn.us
Ken
Lundquist (651-296-5641) Ken.Lundquist@state.mn.us
JPD
REPORT
Doris C. Illies, JPD President
Wow!
I cannot believe that it is August already! MNJPD continues its
tradition of being a very active division of MRA. We have a lot
going on and I am very proud of our membership.
First
off, I would like to thank the training committee for all of its
hard work. The committee started the year planning and implementing
the May 17th training in Shoreview on Ethics. The morning included
presenters talking about Ethics. They included: Natalie Rahn, Lynn
Noren, Ken Lundquist, and employer representatives. In the afternoon,
Melinda Shamp and Kari Olson helped us to apply the new information
to the different types of work that we all do.
Currently,
the training committee is working on JPD’s annual Intro to
Placement and this year the panel will be discussing the ever-changing
job market. This training will be held at Courage Center on August
23rd. Along with this event, the committee is working on a pre-conference
for the fall MRA conference. The pre-conference is titled and will
be presented by Melinda Shamp, Kari Olson and Thomas Normile. Information
and a registration is included in this edition of the Spotlight.
Once
again, THANK YOU!, to Rebecca Uran-Markman, Christie Giedd, Sara
Sundeen, LeNay Koralesky, John Hoffman, and the rest of the committee.
- Sorry if I missed anyone. I met with the group and can report
that they work very hard to make the training of value to JPD members.
Other
members are currently working on a mentoring program and a welcoming
packet.
On
August 17th, I will be flying to Jekkyl Island off the coast of
Savanna for my role as President Elect of NRAJPD. I will be talking
to the South East Region about the benefits of being a JPD member.
As I work on this presentation, one thing comes to mind. That the
greatest benefit and best asset of JPD is you, the members. Members
bringing old and new ideas together, working together for the common
goal of employment for persons with disabilities. I understand that
working in the placement field you are very busy working with participants,
employers, referral sources and so on that it may seem that going
to another meeting or putting time into JPD may not seem worth it,
but JPD members truly know the value of networking. It holds true
with JPD as it does for many things- What you put in, is what you
get out. If nothing else, at least you will not feel like the lone
ranger placement person.
On
that note, it again is time to nominate someone for the JPD Placement
Person of the Year. Information this is included in this issue of
the Spotlight or can be obtained from John Hoffman. JPD presents
this award to both a member and non-member ( can we say future MRAJPD
member). We are also soliciting nominations for employer of the
year and this too can be found here in the Spotlight.
One other opportunity to either share your wealth of information
or learn more about JPD is to become a part of the JPD board, there
are several open positions. If you are interested contact John Hoffman
at 651-265-2407.
I look
forward to the rest of my term at MNJPD president and welcome anyone
with questions, comments or feedback to give me a call at 320-656-5608.
Hopefully many of you will be able to attend the MRA conference
at Rutgers in October and I will make it a personal mission to make
sure we don’t have to meet in the hall at this conference.
Mark
your calenders!!! MRA Spring Conference 2003 - April 9-11 at Jackpot
Junction, Morton MN. Be involved - if you would like to help plan
the April conference, contact Greg Lambert at (651) 225-9425 or
greg@lambertvocational.com.
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