Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

November/December, 1997

President's Message


THE RECENT 1997 NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE, “Racing to World Class Service,” will long be remembered as one of the great ones. The dedication and hard work of the Kentucky chapters certainly paid off, as the conference was both informative and entertaining. On a personal level, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Lewis Buckingham. During my years with NADE I have heard of his contributions and commitment to NADE, the special role he has played in molding NADE into the organization that it is today. However, it was not until I spent some time with him that I could fully understand the respect others have for him. Not only is he a great leader but also a truly special individual. In those brief moments, the spark within me which burns for NADE was at its brightest. We were fortunate to have several of SSA’s top leaders in the disability program with us at the conference. Associate Commissioner Susan Daniels presented the current status of the disability program, while Sue Davis, DPRT Director, and Sue Roecker, Deputy DPRT Director, discussed Redesign--where we have been and where we are going. We were honored to have Gordon Sherman, Atlanta Region SSA Commissioner, give the Awards Luncheon address. Pam Mazerski, professional staff member of the House Sub-Committee on Social Security, discussed concerns of the subcommittee which will be on their agenda in the next session. Bill Hutchinson and Ira Spears, Government Accounting Office (GAO), presented information on the differences between DDS and ALJ decisions. The Honorable David C. Williams, Inspector General, reviewed the initiatives dealing with fraud and related issues. In addition, there were numerous other speakers on a variety of topics who did an excellent job. As we are all aware the Disability program is changing daily. It seems as if our current theme is change. Not only is the disability program changing, so is NADE’s role in the formulation and implementation of those changes. We have made enormous headway in this area by opening the lines of communication between our association and SSA. SSA has included NADE on essentially all redesign groups. They have listened to our opinions and accepted our input on issues that directly affect our clients and our duties as examiners. We must be willing to be open to this change. We must continue to offer our support to the Agency as it moves forward and be willing to offer our expertise, as only NADE can do. As Albert Einstein said, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” My emphasis for the coming year will be on the same issues of the past several years --that is communication, membership recruitment , retention and maintaining our oversight of legislative issues and offering our Association’s input into those issues affecting the Disability program. As has been said time and again, effective communication is the key. My goal is to distribute information in a timely manner to all Board members. I will request that they distribute this information in the same way. As we are all aware, effective communication only works well when all components acknowledge its importance and are willing to cooperate. I ask for your commitment to help me keep all members informed and messages delivered timely. Likewise, you will find that I am very receptive to communication received from our members. I do want to hear from you. You will find that the door to my office , or my telephone line, may not always be open, the door to my mind always will be. Let me hear from you. Share your ideas and suggestions and we will work together. Membership recruitment, as well as retention, will be of utmost importance in the coming years. It is my personal belief that each NADE member has something to offer NADE. It is only when we share our strengths that we can be the strong voice that NADE strives for. I am committed to each individual member. NADE needs your input, opinions and suggestions. Terri Spurgeon will serve as the Membership Chair and she has assured me that she welcomes your ideas. I have asked her to keep the members up-to-date on suggestions of ways to increase, and retain membership in your chapters. You have a choice. You have a voice - NADE. I have asked Marty Marshall to serve as the Legislative chair. Marty has proven herself to be an invaluable NADE member and is familiar with the duties of this office, having served before in this position. We will maintain a visible profile in the legislative arena and offer our input and expertise on issues that affect the disability program. It is a privilege and an honor to serve you in the capacity of NADE President and I am committed to doing my best. Susan has certainly not made this an easy task, as she has done an exceptional job. I have been asked on more than one occasion, “How will you ever fill those shoes?” I am reminiscent of how Sister Nirmali, who stepped in to lead the Sisters of Poverty upon Mother Teresa’s death, responded to much that same question, “I’ll have to walk in my own shoes.” I look forward to serving you in the coming year - both its challenges and its opportunities - and leaving my own footprints on NADE.

-Debi