SILC-NET Presents… A National Teleconference & Webcast

Involving the Community in Decisions: Data Gathering for SILCs

Thursday, June 12, 2008

3:00 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT

Registrations must be received by 12:00 PM EDT on Thursday, June 12 to receive your confirmation email with the Teleconference / Webcast connection information.  If you must register after this point, you must call the NCIL office directly at 202.207.0334 to receive the connection information.  We cannot accept any registrations after 2:50 PM EDT on the day of the call.  Thank you. 

Please join us on June 12 for this important Teleconference & Webcast on how SILCs can best gauge the needs of consumers, CILs, and other stakeholders in their state.  Judy Sharken Simon will lead participants through the pros and cons of various strategies for gathering data.  Brad Williams will discuss the New York SILC’s experiences as they discarded old, ineffective methods in favor of more fair, effective and comprehensive methods of gathering statewide community input as data. 

Registration Fee: $75 / Per Site
Fee does not apply per participant; registrants are encouraged to gather as many individuals as desired to participate by telephone or webcast. 

A note about payment:  ALL CILs and SILCs are encouraged to participate in this important training.  We know some organizations need several weeks to cut checks – don’t let this stop you from registering!  Register today and send payment as soon as you are able – even if you must wait until after the presentation. 

Agenda

3:00 PM - Welcome, Introductions, Overview of Session
3:10 PM - Community Input – Why Bother?
3:15 PM - Commonly Used Methods for Gathering Input: Focus groups, Interviews, Surveys, Community forums
3:25 PM - Pros & Cons of Each Method
3:40 PM - Q & A and Discussion – What’s Worked for You?
3:50 PM - One SILC’s Story
4:05 PM - What Might Get In the Way?
4:15 PM - Resources that Can Help
4:20 PM - Final Q & A
4:25 PM - Next Steps, Reflection & Wrap Up

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of the presentation, participants will be able to:

• Identify primary data gathering methods
• Recognize advantages and disadvantages of each method
• Identify appropriate methods and resources needed for successful implementation
• Cite the importance of consumer and other stakeholder involvement in the decision making process

About the Trainers:

Judy Sharken Simon – MAP (Management Assistance Program), (Manager) Board and Volunteer Services

Judy Sharken Simon brings a rich understanding of nonprofit organizations to her MAP clients and to MAP volunteers. Judy joined MAP’s staff in early 2006. She is responsible for MAP’s volunteer program, which each year places many Twin Cities management experts on the boards of directors of Twin Cities nonprofit organizations, or in other roles with nonprofits. Judy also provides board training to board members and prospective board members, ensuring that they understand the importance and responsibilities of their nonprofit board roles.

Prior to joining MAP, Judy worked with nonprofit organizations for more than 12 years. She served as a senior consultant with the Community Services Group of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation for more than ten years. While there, she authored "The Nonprofit Field Guide to Conducting Successful Focus Groups" as well as "The Five Life Stages of the Nonprofit Organization:  Where You Are, Where You're Going, and What to Expect When You Get There."  Judy has a B.A. in Employee Relations from Michigan State University and an M.A. in Organization Development from the University of Minnesota. Judy has worked with nonprofit clients in areas of nonprofit organization development, including board development, life stages work, and strategic planning. She developed and coordinated the Twin Cities Southeast Asian Leadership Program and served as a consultant, supervisor and instructor for the Bicultural Training Partnership which trained twelve Southeast Asians to be nonprofit management consultants. Judy has also worked as project manager for a county government human services department, as a mentorship coordinator in human resource development for 3M Corporation in Austin, Texas, and as a public workshop trainer on topics related to nonprofit management. In her work she has consulted with very small, grassroots organizations, medium-sized social service agencies, and larger governmental entities.

Brad Williams earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SUNY Albany in 1984 and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Russell Sage College in 1990. Mr. Williams served as the Executive Director of the Glens Falls Independent Living Center from 1990 to 1999. While at the center, he established the Center for Assistive Computer Technology, developed an ADA Marketing Strategy which won a national award from the University of Kansas, helped to establish a Saratoga County satellite office, and successfully completed a capital campaign to occupy a $ 1.5 million dollar multi-agency facility. During this time period, Mr. Williams was also the Chairman of the New York State Coalition On Independent Living (COIL) and Secretary of the New York State Commissioner's Advisory Panel for Special Education Services.

Brad Williams is currently the Executive Director of the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC). The council provides technical assistance and training to centers, looks to increase public awareness about independent living, and pursues a public policy agenda that results in systemic change for people with disabilities. Mr. Williams serves on the Governing Board of the National Council on Independent Living, Co-Chair of the New York State Interagency Partnership on Assistive Technology, and is a member of the New York State Office of Advocate for Persons with Disabilities (OAPWD) Advisory Board.

Involving the Community In Decisions: Data Gathering for SILCs Registration Form

After you complete this form you will automatically be directed to the online store for payment, which accepts Visa and MasterCard only! You may also use this printable registration form (Microsoft Word) to submit via mail or fax. For more information, contact Eleanor Canter at NCIL: 202-207-0334(V), 202-207-0341(Fax), 202-207-0340 (TTY).

Please select whether you will attend via teleconference or CART webcast:

PRESENTED BY SILC-NET: A program of the IL NET national training and technical assistance project for Centers for Independent Living (CIL-NET) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC-NET). The IL NET is operated by ILRU, Independent Living Research Utilization, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL).