Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

July/August, 1998

Southwest Region Elects Leadership and Recognizes Achievement
by Lisa Martin, Southwest Regional Director

The 1998-99 elected SWADE Board includes the following:

Lisa Martin (TX)
SWADE Regional Director

Rebecca Calvert (NM)
President

Dean Crawford (TX)
President-Elect

Susan McClure (AR)
Treasurer

Holly Houser (TX)
Secretary

SWADE Awards Recipients Recognized

The Southwest Association of Disability Examiners (SWADE) presents six awards each year to recognize outstanding achievement by Chapters or individuals. The annual awards ceremony was held at the Southwest/Great Plains Bi-Regional Conference on April 16, 1998 at the Radisson New Orleans Airport Hotel in Kenner, Louisiana. The SWADE Service Award is presented to the chapter that has made the most significant contribution to SWADE. This year’s award was presented to the Texas Association of Disability Examiners (TADE). This chapter was recognized for its contributions to the SWADE Board, NADE Board and its chapter’s activities.

The SWADE Community Relations Award was presented to Leslie Hendren of TADE. This award is presented each year to honor and recognize a disability professional who has contributed not only to the development and advancement of NADE, but who has participated in various voluntary projects within their community to directly aid less fortunate citizens or to provide services for the safety, security or provide vital education to the community. Leslie was recognized for her multi-level involvement in numerous organizations which include NADE, SWADE, TADE as well as two other work-related professional organizations, the Texas Rehabilitation Association and Texas Rehab Action Network.

The Rookie Award is designed to honor and recognize a disability professional who made a significant contribution to the local chapter as well as SWADE. This person must be a first time member who has been in the organization for less than two years. Lisa Raines of ARKADE was well deserving of this award. Almost immediately upon joining the agency, Lisa recognized the need to affiliate professionally with her colleagues and the advantage that this affiliation plays in the development of professional skills and attitudes. She not only joined NADE, but has become one of ARKADE’s most active members.

Rose Watson-Williams of TADE was presented the clerical service award. This award is designed to honor and recognize a disability professional who has made a significant contribution to the local chapter as well as SWADE. Rose’s nomination made mention of the fact that her only regret was she was not aware years before that the organization was for clerical members as well as for disability examiners. She is currently serving as the TADE Membership Chair.

The Chapter Service Award is given annually to honor and recognize a disability professional who has made a significant contribution to the local chapter as well as SWADE. This year’s recipient was Rebecca Calvert of NewMADE. (NM). Since arriving in the New Mexico DDS, Rebecca has revitalized the local chapter. Her enthusiasm is unmated. Members characterize her as “the quarterback who is expert at running the show.” Under her presidency, the chapter has made great strides in becoming a professional organization to be reckoned with as evidence by winning the Disability Professionals’ Week award and the small chapter newsletter award at the 1997 NADE training conference.

New Mexico also was the recipient of the SWADE Membership Award. From the previous year, New Mexico more than doubled their membership with the gain of 24 members in one year!