DSPAM Recruiting Board Members and Volunteer Committee Members

As a valued community ally of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM), your assistance is requested for the following:

1)      Volunteering or nominating board and committee members for 2012-2013; and,

2)      Joining our membership for 2012 by completing our quick and easy registration process.

As a DSPAM supporter, your participation in this and other DSPAM activities is critical to strengthen the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce and improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities.  We look forward to working with you in 2012!

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson

 

 

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Volunteering or Nominating Board and Committee Members for 2012-2013

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is currently seeking nominations and applications for both board members for 2012-2013 and committee members for 2012.  Direct support professionals, direct support consumers, self-advocates, family members of consumers/self-advocates, and professionals working in a disability-related field are encouraged to apply.  More information can be found in the enclosed article and in the opportunity posting online.

To volunteer or nominate someone, you can do any of the following quick and easy steps to submit the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you’re nominating:

·         use our online form by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, December 4; or,

·         reply to this e-mail with the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you’re nominating by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, December 4; or,

·         mail the information postmarked no later than Wednesday, November 30 to DSPAM; 800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A; St. Paul, MN 55114.

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson

 

 

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DSPAM Recruiting Board Members and Volunteer Committee Members

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is currently seeking nominations and applications for both volunteer board members and volunteer committee members.

DSPAM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization working to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities.  It does this by strengthening the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce.  DSPAM is a volunteer-driven organization affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). DSPAM strives to help reduce turnover rates; increase social status; improve training opportunities and programs; increase educational and career opportunities; plus enhance wages paid and benefits offered for DSPs.

Members of DSPAM generally fall into the following three categories:

Ø  DSPs and front-line supervisors;

Ø  self-advocates (i.e. individuals experiencing chronic illness or disability) and family members; and,

Ø  other professionals who work in Minnesota’s chronic illness and disability communities.

The board of directors has operating and oversight responsibility for the Minnesota chapter.  Presently, the Board meets quarterly in St. Paul.  The Board is responsible for ensuring that the organization is operating within the legal standards governing non-profit corporations in the general areas of finance, programming, and oversight.  Therefore, the board must approve the policies, positions, budgets, and plans for the organization.

Each board member is responsible for preparing for, then attending, quarterly board meetings.  Board members are encouraged to stay up-to-date with issues impacting DSPs, asking questions, or otherwise gathering needed information.  Board members also represent the organization at community events, as well as those events hosted by DSPAM.  In addition, each board member must serve on at least one DSPAM committee.

Beside their efforts to recruit new board members, DSPAM is also recruiting DSPAM members and other supportive community members to actively participate with their committees.  These committees meet once a month during months when there isn’t a full board meeting. DSPAM has three basic committees with a variety of subcommittees available for participants. 

Ø  Legislative Policy Committee keeps tabs on laws, regulations, and policies that might impact DSPs in Minnesota.  Committee members often talk with legislators and decision-makers to be sure they are informed of these issues.  Sometimes, committee members will testify at the Legislature or even help to write pieces of bills with legislators.

Ø  Communication Committee helps to develop content for the organization’s website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn group.  Plus, responsible for creating a newsletter that is distributed via e-mail and posted online.  In addition, they create and distribute press releases and other printed material for our membership.

Ø  Membership Development Committee focuses on recruiting new members to the organization, making presentations, conducting training, facilitating relationship-building, and offering information for DSPs, front-line supervisors, direct support providers, and the general community.  This committee is active in various conferences, trade shows, and community events.  Information conveyed may relate to DSPAM membership, DSP certification, issues facing DSPs, and other direct support topics.  The committee also hosts the annual meeting, DSP recognition, and community awards event.

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson

NADSP Announces New Membership Schedule

NADSP

Updates

NADSP Announces New Membership Schedule

Read any newspaper headline from around the country and you will agree that we are facing a critical juncture in our history of supporting people with disabilities. The economic crisis from which we are slowly recovering has resulted in an uncertainty of services and funding cuts in most in states. But one thing remains certain: now, more than ever, people with disabilities need a stable, competent and committed workforce to directly support and walk with them in their journey toward a life of opportunity, well-being, freedom and contribution. Now, more than ever, the work of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is essential.  Over the last 15 years we have tried to build and keep a professional direct support workforce, one that is guided by a Code of Ethics and proficient in universal community support skills. We’ve offered a three-tiered, voluntary, competency-based credentialing program in nationally validated community support skill standards and disseminated information and training tools. With over 3,000 members and maintaining our stance of union neutrality, we have given voice to nearly 1,000,000 direct support workers across the country who speaks passionately and eloquently about the abilities, desires and needs of the people they support, as well as their own desires and needs as care givers.   Today, we need your help so we can continue our important work during a very critical time.   NADSP has recently shifted to a “fixed” annual membership enrollment period, which will begin the month of September of each year. This is very different than our previous “rolling” system in which members would join at any time of the year, but have to keep track of when your membership expires and when dues need to be paid. We believe this new system will help all of us keep better track of membership status.   Please join us as a new or renewing member today!   To learn more about NADSP/Your State’s Chapter’s dual memberships, please visit us at: 

https://www.nadsp.org/membership.html

Want a closer look at what membership offers? Take a look at our 

Frontline Initiative Quarterly Magazine  that is included in your membership: 

https://www.nadsp.org/communication/frontline-initiative.html

Ready to become a member? Complete this on-line application:

https://www.nadsp.org/membership.html

Your Participation Is Needed!

Your Participation Is Needed!

As a member of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM), your participation is requested for our annual membership meeting.  You can participate by doing the following:

• ·           Volunteering for and/or nominating board & committee members for 2012-2013
• ·         Attending the Annual Meeting on Tuesday December 13^th.  Please see Official Notice of the Order of Business for our 2011 Annual Membership Meeting

 

Voting In-Person during the membership meeting as follows:

WHERE: Meeting Room at the Hennepin County Northeast Library;

2200 Central Avenue NE; Minneapolis, 55418

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 13, 2011 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

 

        — OR —

Voting Online.  Online voting instructions will be sent on or before Monday, December 5th to DSPAM members who’ve provided an e-mail address for our records.  If you haven’t already registered your e-mail address, please e-mail your full name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address to iamdspam@gmail.com before Friday, December 2nd so we can update your membership record.

For more information, please view the: enclosed article & opportunity posting online.

To nominate yourself or someone, you can do any of the following quick and easy steps to submit the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you’re nominating:

• ·          use our online form by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, December 4; or,
• ·         mail the information postmarked no later than Friday, December 2 to DSPAM; 800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A; St. Paul, MN 55114.

As a DSPAM member, your participation in this & other DSPAM events is critical to strengthen the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce and improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities.  We hope to see you at our Annual Membership Meeting and look forward to working with you in 2012!

Thank you for your consideration, participation and support! 

     Lance Hegland, Donald Krutsinger & Lindsay Short,DSPAM Nominating Committee

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Seeks applications for both volunteer board & committee members

 

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Seeks applications for both volunteer board & committee members

DSPAM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization working to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities by strengthening the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce.  DSPAM is a volunteer-driven organization affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). DSPAM strives to help reduce turnover rates; increase the social status; improve training opportunities and programs; increase educational and career opportunities; plus enhance wages paid and benefits offered for DSPs.

 Members of DSPAM generally fall into three categories: 

• DSPs and front-line supervisors are the largest membership group. 
• Self-advocates (i.e. individuals experiencing chronic illness or disability) and family members are the second category. 
• The third group is made up of other professionals who work in Minnesota’s chronic illness and disability communities.

 

The board of directors has operating and oversight responsibility for the Minnesota chapter.  Presently, the Board meets quarterly in St. Paul.  The Board is responsible for ensuring that the organization is operating within the legal standards governing non-profit corporations in the general areas of finance, programming, and oversight. the board must approve the policies, positions, budgets, and plans for the organization.

Each board member is responsible for preparing for, then attending, quarterly board meetings.  Board members are encouraged to stay up-to-date with issues impacting DSPs, asking questions, or otherwise gathering needed information.  Board members also represent the organization at community events, as well as those events hosted by DSPAM.  In addition, each board member must serve on at least one DSPAM committee.

DSPAM is also recruiting community members to actively participate with their committees.  These committees meet once a month during months when there isn’t a full board meeting. DSPAM has three basic committees with a variety of subcommittees available for participants:

• The Legislative Policy Committee keeps tabs on laws, regulations, and policies that might impact DSPs in Minnesota.  Committee members often talk with legislators and decision-makers to be sure they are informed of these issues.  Sometimes, committee members will testify at the Legislature or even help to write pieces of bills with legislators. 
• The Internet Communication Committee helps to develop content for the organization’s website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn group.  Plus, that committee is responsible for creating a newsletter that is distributed via e-mail. 
• The Membership Development Committee is the third committee.  This committee focuses on recruiting new members to the organization, creating training opportunities for DSPs, plus hosting an annual celebration and awards banquet.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN VOTE IN THE 2012 BOARD ELECTIONS

The best return on self- investment!

 

The best return on self- investment!

Now is the time to invest in YOU as a highly competent and professional direct support home& community health care worker!

• Challenge the negative societal perceptions about DSPs and promote their commitments and contributions.  DSPs deserve to be valued and respected in their communities;

 

• Receive livable wages and benefits. We will assist you with understanding your rights, advocating for fair wages and partnering with others to develop more benefit and training opportunities;

 

 

• Complete one or more levels of a national DSP credentialing program.  We are working with employers to create funding opportunities for this certification process;

 

• Collaborate on diverse projects with self-advocates, families, and community allies.  Attend local, state and National conferences as a DSPAM representative;

 

• Develop and use your leadership and advocacy skills though community outreach, social media networking! Add your voice to a growing workforce; use that voice to shape health and human services policies!

 

 

 

 

DSPAM Membership Includes:

 

• Dual membership in NADSP

• I am DSPAM e-newsletter

• Front Line Initiative newsletter

• DSPAM/NADSP membership card

• NADSP Code of Ethics Card

• Preferred pricing on DSPAM sponsored events.

 

 

   ARE YOU A MEMBER?

To learn more about NADSP/DSPAM dual memberships, please visit us at:   https://www.nadsp.org/membership.html   Want a closer look at what membership offers? Take a look at our Frontline Initiative Quarterly Magazine that is included in your membership: https://www.nadsp.org/communication/frontline-initiative.html     Ready to become a member? Complete this on-line application: https://www.nadsp.org/membership.html

 

 

You are Invited to DSPAM’s Annual Meeting and Board Member Elections

You Are Invited:

 

 

What:

DSPAM’s Annual Meeting & 2012 Board Member Elections

 

When:

December 13^th, 2011

3:00-4:30 pm

 

Where:

Northeast Library Meeting Room

2200 Central Ave. NE

Minneapolis, 55418

 

 

Light refreshments served during meet & greet which will begin at 2:30pm.

 

DSPAM looking for Board Members

A Note from the DPAM Board Chairperson

We need your support so that we can represent you.  DSPAM needs to be a voice for all Direct Support Professionals but many times Employers and the Direct Support Professionals themselves do not feel that my company wants our staff to speak out for my work related issues and funding.  But as we have found no matter how long our programs have been established and how many professional lobbyist our agencies can provide we need to have our Direct Support Professionals join in with their voices to protect the funding for their salaries and to provide services to the people we care about.  One of the ways you can do that for your company is to get their support in having you represent them on our DSPAM Board.  They need your representation to share with us the issues that we need to speak out about to support your work and the people you serve.  We are looking to add at least four new Board Members to our Board just to maintain 8 active Board Members. 

     To be a board member you need to be willing to join DSPAM, you can be involved as an Affiliate Member who works supporting agencies and individuals who need Direct Support Professional support, you can be a Self Advocate who wants to support the DSP’s who support you, or you can be a Direct Support Professional no matter what field of work or what type of Individuals you support.  To be on the Board would be a commitment of one meeting a month with Board Meetings being held at least quarterly and each month being involved in one Committee Meeting that can try to be flexible to fit into peoples schedules.

     The three main committees we support is a Legislative Policy Committee that helps us to identify and speak our for Legislative Policy that effects our DSP’s, a Communications Committee that helps us to use our Facebook, Linkedin, Web Page, and E-newsletter to communicate to others the issues that effect our DSP’s, and Membership Development Committee that seeks to go out to our Employers, conferences, and create DSP gatherings to share with DSP’s the mission of DSPAM and how we are your Professional Association that wants to support you and your company with the support to enable you to do a Professional job and to be recognized as the Direct Support Professionals that you are.

      DSPAM as a Professional Association not only wants to speak out together in support of our Direct Support Profession through partnering with national lobbying organizations like ANCOR.  But we also want to promote within our membership living up to the High level of standards that we want to uphold within our profession.  That is why we have a Code of Ethics that is not just a Code Of Conduct but it is a Centered on a Concern to Support and Advocate for the People We Care For. 

Through our National Association we can also help to provide a Basic Group Health Insurance Plan for those who are not provided Health Insurance through their employer.         A part of your NADSP membership benefits is a Quarterly DSP Magazine, The Frontline Initiative, as well as E-newsletters from NADSP and DSPAM to keep you updated with issues that affect DSP’s.  As a part of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals we not only advocate for local Minnesota issues but we are also have support in dealing with National Issues that support our profession.  But we can also provide a Nationally Recognized Certification of Direct Support Professionals so that your Training and Experience can be recognized here among your employers and wherever you may go.  John Sauer who has retired from the University of Minnesota in charge of the NADSP Credentialing Program and he is looking to start a local support group to prepare Direct Support Professionals to gain their National Credentials as a Certified Direct Support Professional.  If you are interested in advancing your career as a Direct Support Professional you can contact him at sauer006@umn.edu .        

These are the many reasons not only to become a member of this Minnesota Chapter of a National Professional Association for Direct Support Professionals.  It is also a good reason for supporting your Professional Association by representing your Employer, fellow DSP’s, and the people we serve within DSPAM’s Board or getting involved in helping DSPAM Support and Speak out for Direct Support Professionals through our many committees.  DSPAM needs you to help us support and speak out for the Direct Support Professionals in Minnesota.  Please consider getting involved in our DSPAM Board and Committees to support the Direct Support Professionals of Minnesota.    

You will find our board member application enclosed in this newsletter! You can mail it back to us at the ARC MN Office (see invite), or you   can email it to us at : iamdspam@gmail.com

Please feel free to call me with any questions at 651-895-7210.

       I look forward to hearing from you!                            Don Krutsinger, DSPAM President

DSPAM Recruiting Board Members and Volunteer Committee Members

DSPAM Recruiting Board Members and Volunteer Committee Members

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is currently seeking nominations and applications for both volunteer board members and volunteer committee members.

DSPAM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization working to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities.  It does this by strengthening the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce.  DSPAM is a volunteer-driven organization affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). DSPAM strives to help reduce turnover rates; increase social status; improve training opportunities and programs; increase educational and career opportunities; plus enhance wages paid and benefits offered for DSPs.

Members of DSPAM generally fall into the following three categories:

Ø  DSPs and front-line supervisors;

Ø  self-advocates (i.e. individuals experiencing chronic illness or disability) and family members; and,

Ø  other professionals who work in Minnesota’s chronic illness and disability communities.

The board of directors has operating and oversight responsibility for the Minnesota chapter.  Presently, the Board meets quarterly in St. Paul.  The Board is responsible for ensuring that the organization is operating within the legal standards governing non-profit corporations in the general areas of finance, programming, and oversight.  Therefore, the board must approve the policies, positions, budgets, and plans for the organization.

Each board member is responsible for preparing for, then attending, quarterly board meetings.  Board members are encouraged to stay up-to-date with issues impacting DSPs, asking questions, or otherwise gathering needed information.  Board members also represent the organization at community events, as well as those events hosted by DSPAM.  In addition, each board member must serve on at least one DSPAM committee.

Beside their efforts to recruit new board members, DSPAM is also recruiting DSPAM members and other supportive community members to actively participate with their committees.  These committees meet once a month during months when there isn’t a full board meeting. DSPAM has three basic committees with a variety of subcommittees available for participants. 

Ø  Legislative Policy Committee keeps tabs on laws, regulations, and policies that might impact DSPs in Minnesota.  Committee members often talk with legislators and decision-makers to be sure they are informed of these issues.  Sometimes, committee members will testify at the Legislature or even help to write pieces of bills with legislators.

Ø  Communication Committee helps to develop content for the organization’s website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn group.  Plus, responsible for creating a newsletter that is distributed via e-mail and posted online.  In addition, they create and distribute press releases and other printed material for our membership.

Ø  Membership Development Committee focuses on recruiting new members to the organization, making presentations, conducting training, facilitating relationship-building, and offering information for DSPs, front-line supervisors, direct support providers, and the general community.  This committee is active in various conferences, trade shows, and community events.  Information conveyed may relate to DSPAM membership, DSP certification, issues facing DSPs, and other direct support topics.  The committee also hosts the annual meeting, DSP recognition, and community awards event.

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson

Volunteering or Nominating Board and Committee Members for 2012-2013

Volunteering or Nominating Board and Committee Members for 2012-2013

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is currently seeking nominations and applications for both board members for 2012-2013 and committee members for 2012.  Direct support professionals, direct support consumers, self-advocates, family members of consumers/self-advocates, and professionals working in a disability-related field are encouraged to apply.  More information can be found in the enclosed article and in the opportunity posting online.

To volunteer or nominate someone, you can do any of the following quick and easy steps to submit the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you’re nominating:

• use our online form by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, December 4; or,
• reply to this e-mail with the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you’re nominating by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, December 4; or,
• mail the information postmarked no later than Wednesday, November 30 to DSPAM; 800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A; St. Paul, MN 55114.

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson

 

As a valued community ally of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM), your assistance is requested!

As a valued community ally of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM), your assistance is requested for the following:

1)      Volunteering or nominating board and committee members for 2012-2013; and,

2)      Joining our membership for 2012 by completing our quick and easy registration process.

As a DSPAM supporter, your participation in this and other DSPAM activities is critical to strengthen the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce and improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities.  We look forward to working with you in 2012!

Thank you for your consideration, participation, and support,

Donald Krutsinger, DSPAM Chairperson