Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

November/December, 1999

Outstanding Members Honored With 1999 National Awards
by Sharon Summers, 1998-99 Membership Chair

THIS ORGANIZATION IS FORTUNATE TO have so many names submitted each year for recognition. The National Association of Disability Examiners is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the annual awards.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

North Carolina (TarHeel Association of Disability Examiners) has an abundance of energy as they continue to be involved at the local, regional and national levels. The chapter sponsors informative “Lunch’n Learn” sessions, publishes a newsletter every other month, hosts a variety of fundraisers, and has an active community volunteer mission. Their members have a strong commitment to NADE and serve on regional and national committees.

DIRECTOR’S AWARD

Rose Watson-Williams(Texas)an Operations Support Manager, has shown outstanding leadership, resulting in outstanding statistical performance by her unit. She constantly sets up growth experiences and challenges for her staff, leading by example and by giving direct assistance to her staff. She builds by positive reinforcement and has been recognized by her DDS as clerical “Employee of the Year”. Her DDS administrator describes her as “what is positive about DDS and the division is a better place to work because of … (her) willingness to participate.”

NADE AWARD

Robert Edwards (Texas) is a Quality Assurance Specialist who is recognized for his highly developed diplomatic skills and his ability to maintain exemplary working relationships as he processes federal and state returns. He is the liaison with the SSA Regional Office and reviews all PER and FQA returns. He provides positive feedback to examiners when reviewing their work and assists in writing rebuttals when arbitration is deemed appropriate. He has been active in his state chapter, publishing the state’s newsletter for three years and using it as a tool to educate and build relationships with different departments of the state agency. He also volunteers though his local county Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, which provides a court appointed volunteer to serve as a special advocate to help abused and neglected children through the court system and either reunite them in a more functional home or find alternative placement.

JOHN GORDON AWARD

William Dunn (Texas) is a superior supervisor and leader. Known for his fairness, humor, and the personal interest he takes in his employees, he inspires teamwork, friendship, and leadership among his employees. He empowers his employees to think and work independently. Last year when a supervisor was without an assistant for two months, the line unit staff showed their cohesive teamwork by working without a supervisor and handled the situation with outstanding professionalism. He consistently places a high premium on his role as a state employee serving the disabled of our state. He believes he can make a difference, and his example has been an inspiration for those who work along side of him.

LEWIS BUCKINGHAM AWARD

A charter member of NADE, Martin Blum (New York) was recognized for his long career and commitment to the DDS as well as NADE. He was one of the first vocational specialists in the country and has worked at all levels of adjudication, showing single-minded dedication to the principles of professionalism. He has served in many capacities of NADE (Legislative Committee, Membership Director) and provided strong leadership as NADE president to help guide the association during its infancy as an independent organization. He has remained an active member throughout the intervening years, having a positive impact on his colleagues, friends and co-workers and serving the disabled public.

EARL B. THOMAS AWARD

Lloyd Horsley (Oregon) promotes and encourages involvement in NADE and professional development to his staff and agency managers. He is an active supporter and participant in the Oregon chapter and Pacific region, having served as state chapter president and Regional Director. He has encouraged his managers to attend regional training conferences around the country to collect information and new ways to benefit the Oregon DDS. In addition to supporting staff attendance at training conferences, he has also found innovative ways to fund attendance to national and regional conferences, as well as locally sponsored training seminars.

FRANK BARCLAY AWARD

Anne Howard (North Carolina) has been an active member of NADE for over 25 years, serving as the first chapter president and a mentor to nearly every chapter president that followed her. Her 30+ year career tells a story of personal and professional dedication to the goals and ideals of NADE. In her current position as staff development coordinator, she utilizes her skills as a trainer and motivator, working tirelessly to insure that staff become and remain the most productive DDS in the nation. She has demonstrated her skills at regional and national training conferences. Her career has been one of service, commitment, and dedication. CHARLES O. BLALOCK AWARD

Dean Crawford (Texas) was honored with this award for an individual who has made major contribution to the advancement of NADE. Since joining NADE in 1993, he has served in various state, regional and national positions. He works tirelessly with the state chapter membership chairman to find new and innovative ways to recruit new members. As chapter president his goal was to increase membership by 25%, a goal that has now been surpassed. He has been the recipient of the local ”Inspiration Award” for two consecutive years. His enthusiasm and commitment is contagious! He has been especially effective a Chairman of the Council of Chapter Presidents, a position to which he was re-elected at the recent National Training Conference.