Wanted: Bids for 2009 ADARA Conference
The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) hosts a
national conference every biennium. The conference serves to bring
together professionals from around the country who work with Deaf and
Hard of Hearing people in vocational rehabilitation, independent living,
mental health, education interpreting, and other related settings and
programs. These professionals are joined by consumers, parents/families,
policy makers, administrators, employers and other interested parties to
share expertise, ideas, successes, and plans for providing services to
enhance the quality of life of persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
The general purpose of the biennial conference is threefold: to provide
a forum for enhancement of professional skills through training, to
conduct the business of the organization with its membership, and to
serve as a major fundraiser for the organization. Each conference is
planned and conducted by a host (an ADARA chapter or variety of agencies
and backgrounds). Upon request, a Conference Planning Guide will be sent
to all prospective conference bidders.
The site for the ADARA Biennial conference is chosen by the ADARA
Executive Board four years prior to the conference. The selection of the
2009 ADARA conference host will be made and announced during the 2005
conference May 26th to May 29th in Orlando, Florida. Prospective
conference bidders will have an opportunity to give their presentation
before the ADARA Executive Board at a date and time to be announced. It
is strongly encouraged that bids be presented in person, though
submissions by mail will be considered. Deadline for submission of bids
is: Friday, May 6th, 2005.
The decision of who hosts the future conference by the ADARA Executive
Board is based on two general factors: hotel/conference site
arrangements and the strength of the host or planning committee. To
assist all prospective conference bidders, an ADARA Conference Bid
Checklist will be provided to serve as a guide for developing bids and
presentations.
In general, the conference should provide an opportunity for
professional growth through formal training workshops and informally
through networking. These goals should be accomplished in a
cost-effective manner allowing for a large margin of profitability. This
benefits both the "home office" (ADARA itself) as well as the host
chapter. The proceeds are divided in an 80% - 20% split between the two.

For assistance with questions you may have or those of you that are/may
be interested in submitting a bid for the 2009 conference, please
contact:
David Tout
National ADARA Vice President
1125 West Spruce
Olathe, Kansas 66061-3123
(913) 715-7758 - V
(913) 715-7858 - TTY
David.Tout@... - Email


"You can only stumble if you are moving."
-Richard P. Carlton

Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation
(334) 353-4701 (TTY)



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]