Thank you to everyone who attended ESAD’s 67^th biennial conference, without your attendance and support, this event would not have been possible. The officers, Dave Staehle, Steve Lovi and Dean DeRusso are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and bringing ESAD back into the NYS Deaf community. We wish to first thank our long time ESAD members for their many years of support and our more recent ESAD members for their enthusiasm in supporting new endeavors during the next two years. The officers also would like to recognize the following for their many years to the ESAD board as they retire from service: Al Hlibok, Executive Secretary/Law Committee; Linda Mosca-Ginis, Director of the Miss Deaf New York pageant; and Colleen Kazragis, Newsletter Editor.

 

In following our conference theme, “Advocacy Today, Success Tomorrow”, the officers have pledged to make community advocacy and outreach a priority for ESAD during this term, including trips to Albany to push for favorable legislation affecting the NYS Deaf community. Increased outreach to organizations and agencies will be an important goal with this administration with the implementation of our newly approved pilot program to develop seven regional areas across the state during the next two years. The ESAD board hopes that with increased input from the regional representatives, our organization will be in a better position to do fundraising and community awareness activities more effectively.

 

Please consider being an active part of ESAD with your participation as we forge ahead in making ESAD a strong and proud state association. If you have not renewed your membership, please be sure to download a membership form from our web site at www.esad.org and complete along with your $10.00 fee. In the coming months, you will have access to an expanded web site, on-line news updates and ESAD sponsored events.

 

As always, please feel free to contact us via e-mail with your ideas, suggestions or issues.

 

Yours in ESAD Solidarity,

 

Dave Staehle, President (davebusy@aol.com)

Steve Lovi, Vice President (slovi19@aol.com)             

Dean DeRusso, Secretary/Treasurer (ddrusso@ferretrex.com)