Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 2001

President's Message


As I write my last column, I certainly have mixed emotions. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your NADE President and I feel very honored to have served you in this capacity. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me even though it was even more work than I had imagined. At the same time, my long-suffering husband, Hugh, will be ecstatic when I have passed the gavel to Jeff so that he won't feel so neglected anymore. I do need to publicly thank him for his patience even though it has worn thin on occasion. I also want to thank my DDS Director Sheila Everett and our Operations Director JoAnn Summers, who is my immediate supervisor, for their support because I couldn't have effectively functioned as president without that. I also must thank all of my friends and colleagues, especially my assistant, Retha Cain, who helped out in the office during my absence. I think my staff will be happy to have me in the office more often, although it may be just because they missed out on doughnuts and breakfast casseroles and pizza parties when I was on the road so much!

Over my 20 years with NADE I have learned so much but this past year as President has certainly given me a greater appreciation of the work done by my predecessors. The NADE Board of Directors works so hard for all of us, but I especially want to thank Jeff Price and Legislative Chair Marty Marshall for their guidance and assistance throughout the year. I can't begin to tell you how much they have contributed to our organization. I am truly sorry that I have not been able to talk with every one of you over the last year as your insights are invaluable to our association. I hope you are pleased with what we have accomplished, but I want to know even if you are not. Please communicate with the NADE leadership, including your chapter presidents as members of the CCP, in whatever form is most comfortable for you. Thanks to all of you who have made this past year so special for me.

I'm very sorry that all of you cannot attend the various NADE conferences but I urge you to make plans to attend the national in Austin or next year's regional. You will gain so much, not only from the formal presentations, but also from the opportunity to network with your colleagues from other agencies. It is a marvelous experience! I hope you all had a great time celebrating National Disability Professionals Week. Also please request your $50.00 membership grant from Leola Meyer if you have not already done so and get out there recruiting new members!!

- Sue Heflin