IS IT IMPORTANT TO ATTEND regional and national conferences? Yes, yes, and yes. I believe the future of our organization depends on us coming together on the regional and national level every year to share ideas, experiences and information with each other. It is also very crucial in developing leadership and professionalism from the bottom to the top. I would like to share DCADE’s experience and philosophy regarding attendance at conferences. We believe the more the merrier and the better. We will be having 11 people attending the regional conference this year at Jackson, Mississippi, which is double the number that was able to attend the last regional and national conferences. No, the state didn’t win the lottery, nor did the SSA administration increase funding for DCADE. Although, we do appreciate the support of our agencies, we realize it is ultimately the chapter’s responsibility to see that its members are given the opportunity to experience a conference. We are committed and have worked very hard to increase our membership and encourage our members to take ownership in its success. Everyone plays a part in that success from the person who attends the meetings at the conference to the members back at the office who assist in the work that must be done while we are gone. We have had lunch time fund-raisers, tee-shirt sales, and raffles to raise money to fund members who do NOT qualify for state funding. In return, we are building future leaders and ground troops for the day to day operations of our chapter. I am confident that the members who will be attending the conference in Jackson for the first time, will return enthusiastic and willing to share the wonderful experience with their co-workers and will encourage others to join our organization. It is an exiting time as well as crucial time for our organization and there is strength in numbers. Therefore, I would like to encourage every chapter to commit themselves to share the experience of attending a conference with others in the chapter by working to assist others in attending by sharing a ride, a room, or assisting with the registration fees. It will be money well spent and you will reap the benefits from increased membership, involved members and future leaders for your chapter. I bet Sue Heflin never thought she would one day be running for NADE president 16 years ago, when she shared a room with three other people at her first conference. It can happen for you too.