DSPAM Annual Meeting and Board Members Ballot
October 29, 2012 Leave a comment
DSPAM Annual Meeting and Board Members Ballot
Following is the slate for the DSPAM Board term beginning January 1, 2013. Six DSPAM board candidates have been nominated for a two-year term as Director. Directors’ terms run from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. Three DSPAM board candidates hae been nominated for a one-year term as an Officer. Officers’ terms run from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013.
Please vote for up to 6 Directors and up to 3 Officers. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates.
Deadline to cast your vote using this survey is October 29, 2012. You will also have the option of voting in-person at the annual meeting. However, we prefer that you use this survey. Voting is open to DSPAM members only. Results will be announced at the DSPAM Annual Meeting at Arc of MN in Saint Paul on Tuesday, October 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Here are the profiles of the candidates for directors and officers.
Bridget Siljander:
As chair, I would work collaboratively, as I have in the past, to build on DSPAM’s progress and increase its sustainability. As a past chair of DSPAM (i.e. 2007 to 2009), I have a wealth of leadership and organizational development experience. Plus, I have extensive knowledge of DSPAM’s history and activities. My previous term as chairperson began with a board revitalization; several new board members were elected following a period of organizational inactivity. During my tenure, I worked with the new board to position the organization as the primary voice for direct care and support staff in Minnesota by becoming active in public policy activities, building membership, fundraising, hosting events, conducting outreach, promoting public awareness, using media outlets, and evaluating our landscape (e.g. health care, wages, respect, etc.). My passion for direct support issues is deeply-rooted in my twenty years of service, and will continue to motivate me to promote the integrity of the direct support profession and investment into an incredibly valuable and essential community resource.
Jennifer Walton:
I have been working in the Human Services field for over 15 years. Throughout high school and college I worked in nursing homes—as a dietary aide and a Certified Nursing Assistant. I worked as a PCA and I also gained some basic experience doing administrative support. In 2000 I took my first position as a job coach. After a short time I began working in the behavioral department and went to work with a small group of consumers at their job in the community. In the course of my work at the Day Program I became familiar with the residential side of Human Services. I took a position as a live-in and soon after accepted a position supervising a group home. For the next ten years I worked for the residential side, supervising a home of two gentlemen with significant behavioral support needs. During this time I continued working direct care for other homes and filled in as a supervisor for emergency needs within the company. I learned a great deal about dedication, flexibility, problem solving, and time management. Throughout that time I made connections with various other providers and in 2010 I took a job in management with Midway Training Services. In my current role I have become increasingly aware of the need for competent, enthusiastic, well-trained and well supported staff members. The roles we each play are remarkable—and the support and training required to sustain a high level of care are of utmost importance. It is imperative to provide the best, most well equipped workforce as we look to support the needs of others.
Michael Harrison:
I found direct care work after being displaced from his job as a factory worker. I have served on the DSPAM board for four years, and for the last year as treasurer. I work as a direct support professional full-time. He is also a graduate of the Direct Care Alliance’s 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program.
Catherine (Kat) Gordon:
Catherine Gordon works as the PAS Services Coordinator at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. She has worked there for 5.5 years – 3 years as a DSP, and 2.5 years in the office. Along with payroll and requesting assessments for consumers, and working with service agreements, Catherine also works closely with DSPs to assist them in meeting the changing needs of their consumers, both through organizing formal trainings, as well as working with consumers and DSPs individually in day to day problem solving. Through her many years of working with the activist communities in Chicago and Minneapolis, Catherine has a strong background of community collaborations and organizing, working for labor rights, and collective organizing, which would be an asset to DSPAM. The rights of workers, and the rights of those in the disability community are deep passions of hers, as is making the tools for empowerment available to individuals to create social and governmental changes that benefit the working class. Catherine’s work with youth and young moms has given her the necessary experience working with socially, economically, and racially diverse populations to be able to communicate and organize with DSPs and consumers. Catherine’s experiences in organizing and well as her experiences working as both a DSP and in an agency’s office gives her a unique perspective, as well as the knowledge to help organize a worker base and create change within individual agencies that will help forward the important work DSPAM does for the communities of DSPs.
Don Krutsinger:
I grew up with a brother who experiences developmental disabilities. I earned a B. A., Master’s in Divinity, and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Over the past 23 years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings as a DSP (e.g. group residential, individual in-home, special education, and day programs plus targeted case management). For the last 7 years, I’ve been working as a residential program coordinator and regional floating DSP with REM Minnesota plus a DSP with Phoenix Residence, Fraser, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), and Accurate Home Care. While I’ve been the chairperson over the past two years, we’ve sought to organize our Policy Committee to advocate for DSP issues; set-up resources on Facebook and Linkedin; raise awareness for DSP issues through our e-newsletter; and promote DSPAM through local conferences.
Jim Lovold:
I am a 50 year old individual with Spina Bifida, who has depended on the services of other people to help me with my personal cares, etc., for almost 30 years now. I thought that serving on the DSPAM board would be a great way to get involved in something that I deal with on a daily basis – DSPs. It’s always good to have a voice from someone who has experienced and lived through it. I feel that I could be of great help in offering my personal experiences with DSPs throughout the years. I think having someone hands-on on the board would be a great thing for all involved. I have also served 13 years on the board of the Spina Bifida Association of MN. I started out doing a fundraiser for them by holding a dominos ( the game ) tournament, raising more than $1,000.00 the first tournament! I did two tournaments a year, starting in 1997, continuing for two years beyond that. I also help set up events and other fundraisers, attending board meetings to set up these events. I feel that I bring a lot of experience in the disability community to the group.
Idelle Longman:
Idelle Longman earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota where she majored in anthropology and minored in psychology. She has served on the Hennepin County Local Advisory Council and the governor-appointed Special Education Advisory Council.She has also served as the chair of the mayor-appointed Edina Public Health Committee and as the vice chair of the Edina Human Rights and Relations Committee.To enhance her work in public service, Idelle has attended many state and national conferences and seminars on mental health and is a graduate of Leaders of Today and Tomorrow and Partners in Policymaking. She was recently appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Statewide Independent Living Council.
1. Please vote for up to 6 Directors. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates.
| Please vote for up to 6 Directors. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates. Don Krutsinger
Michael Harrison Idelle Longman Kat Gordon Jennifer Walton Jim Lovold |
| Other (please specify) |
2. Please vote for Chair. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates.
| Please vote for Chair. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates. Bridget Siljander |
| Other (please specify) |
3. Please vote for Vice Chair. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates.
| Please vote for Vice Chair. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates. Jennifer Walton |
| Other (please specify) |
4. Please vote for Treasurer. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates.
| Please vote for Treasurer. Additional space is provided for write-in candidates. Michael Harrison |
| Other (please specify) |
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