Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February, 1999

Membership --- A Vital Key
by Susan R. LaMorte, Membership Director

THE FUTURE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL organization hinges upon increases in membership. Increases in membership will provide
the needed resources for our involvement in various programs, projects and activities that will expand NADE's overall growth. This
expansion is the key to our future success as a viable professional organization. The bottom line of this success lies with you -- THE
MEMBERSHIP. NADE Membership recruitment and retention continue to be a vital concern to all chapters. NADE’s strength is our
MEMBERS. Our presence will be stronger, our voice louder and our effectiveness enhanced with increased active membership. Now’s
the time to recruit a new member. At the New Board Meeting in South Dakota, the Board decided that all new memberships received
from January through June, 1999 will receive an expiration date of June 30th of the following year. A new member is anyone who has
not been a member in three years. Therefore, January begins our annual membership drive. I’m asking each member to recruit ONE
NEW MEMBER into NADE. This will not only increase our membership, but also strengthen our ability to pursue further development
of the professionalism of disability evaluation. Remember, one voice speaks words, many voices speak volumes -- with increased
membership NADE’s voice will be stronger and louder! We can double our membership. To help our Chapter achieve this goal, NADE
is offering ten (10) Membership Grants of up to $50.00 to be used for membership recruitment and/or retention activities.

Chapters wishing to apply for a grant should submit a Membership Grant Request Form, which outlines how the money is used and the
estimated costs. These forms will be distributed to each chapter by Dean Crawford, CCP President in his next CCP mailing. Once the
activity has been carried out, the Chapter will need to supply receipts or other appropriate verification to the Membership Director. Be
as imaginative and creative as you wish in your activities. But apply early!! Grants will be awarded on a first come basis. NADE is also
sponsoring a membership contest. For contest purposes Chapters will be divided into three (3) size categories: Small (25 or fewer),
Medium (26 - 75) and Large (76 or more). The contest will run from 10/98 through 9/99. The winners will be determined with the 9/99
printout. Cash awards of $50 and $25 will be given to the two Chapters in each category showing the largest numerical increase over
the life of the contest. A certificate will also be presented. All Chapters meeting the annual membership growth of 10% will be
recognized as well. I’m please to announce that this year NADE awarded a $5.00 Rebate per member to all chapters. A strong
effective organization thrives from active grass root involvement which has been displayed across the nation. Keep up the good work!
I’ve compiled a new membership recruitment/retention package, which will be distributed to all Chapter Presidents and Regional
Membership Committee members. We also have our NADE Membership Video available upon request. Let’s all work together in
meeting our goal of each member recruiting ONE NEW MEMBER! I’m counting on you. I would like to thank the following members for
agreeing to serve as their region’s membership contacts: Ellen Cook (Great Lakes), Jeffrey Ward (Great Plains), Evelyn Martin
(Mid-Atlantic), Patricia Mazagajewski (Northeast), Melissa Robertz (Pacific), Andrea Pantalone (Southeast) and Veronica Monsivais
(Southwest). Please feel free to contact your regional representative or me if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions on how
the Membership Committee can help serve the member’s needs better. I look forward to hearing from you.