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Save your spot at the Conference!

A Message From APF State President

The Dating Game

Mr. President....a poem for Eric Treat

Mentors and Reaching My Own Greatness

THANKS...

Congratulations Shaun Best!

Arkansas People First, Mountain Home Chapter Got Results

APF Members of the Round Tables

Save your spot at the Conference!

Register Now Pay Later! 

Look at what APF State Conference offers YOU!

LOCATION:  ARKANSAS 4-H CENTER (SEE THE DIRECTIONS)

                          No. 1 4-H Way Little Rock, AR 72223 501-821-4444

                          web site: www.arkansas4hcenter.org

TIME: Friday, June 13, 2003 – 4:00 PM Registration Begins

             Sunday, June 15, 2003 – 11:00 AM Adjourn

REGISTRATION FEE:       $160 FOR THE FULL TWO DAY CONFERENCE

                                                            $10.00 State Conference T-Shirt

                                                            $30.00 Registration Fee

                                                            $60.00 Room and food for Friday 

                                                            $60.00 Room and food for Saturday and Sunday

                                                            FOR ONE DAY FEE SEE REGISTRATION FORM

Deadline for registration:  MAY 30th

REGISTRATION AFTER THE 30th= $180

Questions: State Office at 1-888-488-6040

Go to the APF Announcements page for complete information.

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A Message From APF State President

   We are now in the fourth month of the year and we have established our goals for 2003. Through our accomplishments, we have received two mini grants from DDS. We were able to establish Reaching My Own Greatness  as well as a mentor program. We are also working on developing a bridgework's phone training system and dividing the state into regions.

  APF continues to build a strong self advocated group by establishing a legislative committee and partnerships. Plans are being made to have a statewide local officers training.

 I would like to say congratulations to the Mt. Home Chapter for making their town more accessible.

   As we are approaching the 2003 Arkansas People First Conference, the Harrison Chapter is working to make this conference bigger and better than ever.

    I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for letting me serve as your state president the past two years. It has truly been the greatest honor I have had. I can only hope that I did what each of you expected of me.

Thank you,

Eric Treat

Keep on Advocating!!!

 Top of Page

Arkansas People First, Mountain Home Chapter Got Results

            On February 19^th, APF of Mountain Home had a meeting with representatives of the city to discuss problems the disabled have in getting around our town. Several sidewalks were not accessible for wheelchairs due to high curbs, and no curb cuts with ramps, and no sidewalks where needed, and many other problems.

            We were very happy when the local newspaper wrote about the meeting, but we were even happier when we saw the results. Repairs, curb cuts, and new sidewalks are being done over a year ahead of schedule.

            This just shows what can be done when we join together for a common cause and let those in government know what we need. I hope this encourages everyone to put our heads together and get the word out that we truly are PEOPLE FIRST!

by: James Kirschke

~ Special Newsletter Insert ~

Look at what APF State Conference offers YOU!

LOCATION: ARKANSAS 4-H CENTER (SEE THE DIRECTIONS)

                         No. 1 4-H Way Little Rock, AR 72223 501-821-4444

                         Link here for the 4-H Center Website at: www.arkansas4hcenter.org

                         Link here or scroll down for detailed instructions to the 4-H Center.

TIME: Friday, June 13, 2003 – 4:00 PM Registration Begins

               Sunday, June 15, 2003 – 11:00 AM Adjourn

REGISTRATION FEE:  $160 FOR THE FULL TWO DAY CONFERENCE

                                           $10.00 State Conference T-Shirt

                                            $30.00 Registration Fee

                                            $60.00 Room and food for Friday 

                                            $60.00 Room and food for Saturday and Sunday

                                            FOR ONE DAY FEE SEE REGISTRATION FORM

  Deadline for registration:  MAY 30th

REGISTRATION AFTER THE 30th - $180

Link here for the APF State Conference 2003 Registration Form.

Questions: State Office at 1-888-488-6040

Look What’s Happening!

Conference Agenda

Friday June 13th

            4:00  Registration Opens

            6:00    Dinner & Welcome  

            7:00    The Dating Game (Link here or scroll down for The Dating Game information)

Saturday June 14th

            7:30    Breakfast

            8:30    Opening Welcome

                        Flag Ceremony and more...

            9:30    Candidate Speeches

            10:30  Keynote, Tia Nelis

            10:45  Workshops

            11:30  Break

            12:00  Lunch Officer and Advisor Round Tables

            1:30    More Workshops

            2:45   Break

            3:00  more Workshops

            4:00  more Workshops

            5-6:30  Break

            6:30  Dinner and Awards, and Dancing

Sunday June 15th

            8:00    Breakfast

            9:00    911 Video

                       Open Mic: APF wants to hear from you!

            11:00  Adjourn

Link here for the APF State Conference 2003 Registration Form.

LOOK WHO's TALKING...

Tia Nelis from Chicago, Illinois will be the keynote speaker!!!

Other topic & speakers include:

Couples/ Marriage: Alan & April Plumlee, Harrison

Community Living: Eric Treat, Conway

People First Language : Shannon Rivas, Hot Springs

Rights for PF Advisors: Rebecca Rogers, Batesville

Parenting : David Long, Hope & Tia Nelis, Illinois

Volunteering : Brandon Foster, Batesville

People's Rights and Responsibilities: Shaun Best, Hampton

Being a Bird Man: Joe Tobin, Mountain Home

How to be Safe : Becky Elbert, Little Rock

  and more.....

Friday night at the conference the Batesville Chapter will host The Dating Game!

 The dating game is a game where one person asks questions and their possible dates answer them. Then, the person asking the question chooses which person they would like to go on a date with. The lucky couples will get a candlelight dinner on Saturday night and date for the dance and awards banquet!  Batesville Chapter is looking for participants! If you would like to play the dating game, you must sign up on the form inside this issue and mail it to the address listed on the form by May  15th. Only people who sign up by May 15th will be considered to play The Dating Game on Friday night at the conference!

          Remember, not everyone who plays will end up with a date!

          If you have questions about the dating game, call 870-612-8665.

Link here for your Dating Game form to be completed and mailed to APF.

Door Decorating Contest

At the conference on Friday night after the dating game, there will be a door decorating contest. You pick the theme! It might be the same as the conference, it might be about self-advocacy history or the history of your group. Whatever you decide!

Each chapter must bring their own materials to participate: paper, scissors, tape, bows, ribbons, etc...

There will be judges and a small prize for the winning door.

Good Luck and have FUN!

~ State Officer Elections ~

It's time to elect state officers! There are four positions: President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer. The state officer duties are similar to chapter officers, but on a state-wide level.

The following are some of the responsibilities of a state officer:

                             •        to attend 4 board meetings a year in Little Rock

                             •        to attend 4 executive committee meetings a year in

                                      Little Rock (these are different than board meetings)

                             •        to participate in board member conference calls

                             •        to help achieve the goals of APF

                             •        to participate and promote the annual state conference

These are just some of the responsibilities for state officers. We need nominees for each office. If you know someone in your area who would be a good leader and can make a commitment to APF for the next two years, then you should nominate that person.

How do I nominate someone? 

First, you should ask the person if they want to be nominate and understand the responsibilities. Then, fill out the nomination form and mail it into the APF state office when you mail in your registration form.

Candidate speeches

At the conference on Saturday morning, the people who are nominated for office will have to give a speech on why they would be good for an officer, what qualities do they have and why people should vote for them.

Campaign

Campaigning is allowed and encouraged! If the nominees want to make posters with there name or picture on it, flyer or whatever nominees need to do to win the vote! 

Good luck! Voting will take place Saturday afternoon!

Winners will be announced Saturday night.

If you have questions call 479-575-4015 or 888-488-6040

AWARDS   AWARDS   AWARDS

The Mountain Home Chapter will be hosting the awards banquet Saturday night at the conference. Mountain Home would like one self-advocate chosen from each chapter. Your chapter needs to decide who they want to receive the honor at the state conference. The state board will pick the "state self-advocate". The "state self-advocate" will be picked from the people the chapters have chosen for their self-advocate.

          The chapters need to get the names in by May 14th. The State Board meeting is May 15th & 16th. We MUST have the names by then. 

          Please call Julie with your self-advocate at 479-575-4015 or 1-888-488-6040. 

Directions to the 4-H Center

From I-30: Exit Congo Road(in Benton), and travel north. Turn left at the stop sign in Salem. Take a right at the "Y" of Mulberry Road and Congo Road. Take a right at the next "Y" of Steel Bridge Road and Congo Road. Continue to the 4-H Center which is on the left. Total distance from I-30 is 17 miles. Watch for signs.