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"The Gathering"


What does a good life look like?
A life rich in relationships and friendships. Strong connections
with family or a small intimate group. To be treated justly. Work,
especially meaningful work. Opportunities to discover and develop
skills, abilities, gifts and talents. To be dealt with honestly and
to be treated as an individual. Access to places of genuine
community and the sites of everyday life. Being able to contribute,
and having ones contributions recognized as valuable.
Join us to learn about person directed supports through the
development of Microboards and Human Service Cooperatives. Learn
from those who have created customized, person centered supports and
get an update on progress in Illinois. This gathering will enhance
this growing movement used by individuals to exert even greater
control over their day to day lives.
Friday, June 27 Day 1
Keynote:
Jacki Golden "When People Control Their Own Destinies"
Breakout sessions
___What is a Microboard? – gain a general understanding
of this exciting approach and its application in the day to day lives
of individuals with disabilities and those who care about them.
___What is a Human service Cooperative? – gain a general
understanding of this exciting approach and its application in the
day to day lives of individuals with disabilities and those who care
about them.
___ Financial Oversight 101: This session will provide a
basic overview of business and accounting practices that are
important for members of a board of directors to know and
understand. Basic terms will be reviewed along with reporting
requirements and questions board members should be prepared to ask
their accountants.



Panel and Lunch
Spend some time learning from those who are members of Cooperatives
and Microboards:
Inspire: John Britton
Pink Coyote: Jim and Carolyn Campbell

World Cafι - We will engage our collective energy and wisdom in
conversations about questions that matter. We will think about the
future and meaning of community in Illinois, including ALL of its
members! What could community membership and inclusion also be? What
questions if answered would strengthen our practice in supporting
people to have a good life?…in supporting people and their families
to direct their own lives and realize their own plans and dreams?….in
supporting a person to act as a contributing citizen?
Dinner Picnic at Starved Rock
Join us for a cook out at Starved Rock State Park! Lisa Cesal will
lead us in an activity to hone our self determination skills.
June 28 Day 2
Breakouts
___Skill building: PATH guides – advanced training:
Skill building: for PATH guides – an opportunity for advanced
training: using the MAPS process: learn the steps of the MAPS
process and then engage in small group work practicing the process.
Build understanding of the differences between PATH and MAPS. This
session will run the entire day and is intended for those who have
completed the PATH facilitation training only.
___Introduction: What is a Microboard? Gain a general
understanding of this exciting approach.
___Introduction: What is a Human Service Cooperative?
Gain a general understanding of this exciting approach.
Lunch and Networking
___ In-depth Microboard information session: Learn what a
Microboard is and is not; gain an overview of the process used to
help individuals and their families create Microboard; Learn pitfalls
to avoid so that Microboards can prosper.

Day 2 continued

___In-depth Human Service Cooperative training: Learn how
cooperatives are similar to traditional agencies, with a major
difference: governing authority and responsibility are placed
entirely in the hands of member-owners – the individual people who
are served and their representatives (typically close friends and
family members). This kind of empowerment gives people control of
their lives, power over their choices, and control of their human
services.

_____"What is a PATH" Managing the Art of Living is anchored in the
in the desire for people to live full, rich lives - the lives they
want to live - with the support of family, friends, community and
public resources. This means full inclusion in the cultural,
economic and civic life of the community and the opportunity to make
significant contributions. Learn how PATH (Planning Alternative
tomorrows with Hope) is a proven tool for moving towards meaningful
connection, companionship and contribution and building creative and
enduring circles of support
_____Cooperative Intensive: A Forum for Getting Started! Includes:
1) Development Activities for those interested in forming a self
directed co-op 2)Question and Answers with individuals already in
the process.

Speakers: Come hear from the people who are doing the work
Ruthie-Marie Beckwith
Ruthie currently develops and supports Microboards throughout the
State of Tennessee. Ruthie Beckwith developed the Tennessee
Microboards Association, an 'underpinning' organization that supports
over 70 Microboards throughout that State
Gale and Holly Bohling
Gale and Holly have developed Human Service Cooperatives throughout
Arizona and in Tennessee. They have also created a national
cooperative that provides a network of resources to support the
development and ongoing management of HSC certified Co-ops.
John Britton
John serves on the Federated HSC Board. He is a member of Inspire,
HSC and one of the first folks to use services through Inspire. He
was born in Lincoln, Illinois and currently lives in Arizona. He is
experienced in board leadership and has served on two other boards,
People First of Phoenix, treasurer and Marc Center in Bloomington,
Illinois.
John is an adventurer and is known for his sky diving escapades in
1997. "My motto, is to never give up!" He also says, "What I do
best is help people." John is a strong self advocate and speaks out
in a positive way for change to happen.


Lisa Cesal
For the last three years, Lisa has been working for an organization
based in Decatur, Illinois, called Macon Resources. The main goals
are to educate people with disabilities on how to speak up for
themselves and to personally advocate for those who can't or don't
know how. Lisa has a Bachelors Degree from the University of White
Water in Wisconsin, in Women Studies and Family Health.

Jacki Golden
Jacki is the founder of Joshua's House, one of the first Microboards
in the United States. She is the National Resource Specialist for
the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and the co-director of "My Life
Going Far' (MLGF) where she co directs with Edward Willard on the
roll out of the New Directions waiver through a grant from the
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Jackie formerly worked
for DB Consulting Group, Inc where she was the project director of a
national grant entitled Self-direction in Mental Health for the
federal agency SAMHSA. Jackie is the former executive director for
Inclusion Research Institute. Jackie is also a parent of two children
with disabilities.

Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn
Jack and Lynda are co-leaders of Inclusion Press International
www.inclusion.com, based in Toronto. Jack is one of the principal
authors of PATH, MAPS, Circles of Friends and other great tools for
facilitation and planning. Lynda served for 9 years as state
director in Rhode Island's Division of Developmental Disabilities and
helped close its only institution in 1995. Lynda and Jack enjoy
designing learning and planning processes created to engage people in
action for social change.

"The Gathering" is sponsored by a grant through the Illinois Planning
Council on Developmental Disabilities
Project Administrated by Tony Records and Associates


Registration
$25 per person
Number of attendees X $25) _____
Lunch day 1 ($10 per person) _____
Lunch day 2 ($10 per person) _____
Picnic at Starved Rock no charge
Total amount enclosed: _____

Friday night cook- out We'll enjoy some fellowship, food off the
grill and beautiful weather by the river!
There are a limited number of stipends are available contact Jill
Rodgers at jilltma@... or call 615-225-8789
Name (s) _________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________

Make checks payable to Tony Records and Associates
And mail to:
Wendy Partridge
3028 N Trainer Road
Rockford IL 61114
For questions, email wkkp@...



Lodging
We have reserved sleeping rooms in two locations:
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock
Grand Bear Villas have been reserved at a savings of over 30% at a
rate of $199 per night.
These massive, two story town homes can sleep up to nine. They
feature two full size bedrooms and sleeping accommodations on the
first floor. Villas come equipped with full size kitchens. The
block rate includes 6 person occupancy with a $15 fee for additional
guests. 6 water/amusement park passes are included in this reduced
rate.
Ask for the "Managing the Art of Living" Block
866-399-3866 toll free number option 1 reservations
Holiday Inn Express – Oglesby
$109 per night
800-HOLIDAY or
815-883-3535
Deadline for hotel reservations is May 17, 2008






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