CA-IARP President’s September 2013 Message to the Membership
August 2013,
Dear IARP California Members:
Greetings….
There have been changes in the election dates this year. Therefore, I
need to inform you of the events that led to these delays. The
Elections Committee worked very hard to identify a President Elect for
the California Board serving in 2013-2014, moving into the President
position in 2014-2015. A large number of members were contacted to
elicit service but it does appear that our membership is aging and
commitment difficulties were mainly due to health conditions and/ or
professional issues. Our dilemma was resolved with Kelly Bartlett
agreeing to take on the leadership realm and accepting the President-
Elect position for 2013-2014.
President Elect Susan Van de Bittner was scheduled to take the
President’s office on May 1, 2013 along with new Board members.
However, Susan informed that she could not assume her elected post due
to personal reasons in mid-April 2013. Needless to say, this was a
loss that prevented the new Board to take office in May 2013.
Consequently, after some thought and debate, members of the existing
California Chapter Board agreed to “hold over” for an additional year
and continue to serve in their original capacities in order to maintain a
viable entity. These members are; Mark Remas (past-president), Kelly
Winn (treasurer), Rachel Hawk (secretary), Keith Wilkinson, Mary Ciddio
as regional representatives and yours truly Lisa Suhonos as President.
This means that our Board’s election will occur in September instead
of May, as statements of the new Board members will be completed and
elections will be announced in the IARP California website. PLEASE,
take the time to vote and most importantly if you have an interest in
assisting the present Board with some volunteering time, let me know or
any board member. We need your time and talent to
continue to offer educational seminars in California, as well as,
marketing the professional attributes of the membership to other
Associations and Professional Boards.
Aside from the elections protocol, your California Board continues to
work in developing marketing opportunities. For example, we will be
exhibiting at the upcoming Consumer Attorneys, California Annual
Conference (Trial Lawyers) in San Francisco, in November 2013. Our
2012-2013 Expert Directories will be handed out at our booth, as well
as, marketing “goodies.” If you have an event in your area and need
marketing materials, please contact any Board member and supplies will
be forwarded to you. Please remember that distribution of these Expert
Directories enhances our profession and encourages dialogue to provide
more referral opportunities for each member.
Your California Board of Directors has been listening to your suggestions and we are excited to announce that “A HARVEST OF IDEAS”
meetings are going to held in late September/October (exact dates to
be announced and posted on the website) in the following geographical
areas: 1) San Diego, 2) Orange County, 3) Oakland, 4) Sacramento. These
meetings will be free of charge
to all attendees and will foster a dialogue of opportunities for
established Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants, Life Care Planners,
Vocational Experts, Counselors and students. Please make the effort to
attend…you will be impressed!
The Legislative Committee continues to monitor the Workers’
Compensation rule making and administrative process, presently without
the assistance of “Lobbyists” due to financial restrain. Should events
occur that affect our members, we will immediately be in touch and
request your assistance.
The Education Committee is already in the planning phase for next year’s seminar ”CEU’s BY THE SLOTS”, save the date, the second week of February 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Why Vegas??? You ask???
Because our Education Chair, Kelly Bartlett has been working closely
with the Nevada Chapter President and both Chapters are merging their
annual seminar into one. This is a great collaboration effort between
California and Nevada, which will offer the members greater
opportunities for learning and networking.
SO……Please remain tuned in to our website for more information on the
upcoming events….without you these events are meaningless……please
participate in your local Chapter of IARP’s activities!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Lisa Suhonos
IARP California Chapter President