Hearing Loss Association of Florida - Call for Applications
The Hearing Loss Association of Florida (HLA-FL) is seeking qualified individuals to serve on the HLA-FL Board of Trustees for a three-year term beginning October 5, 2013. Deadline for applications is August 7, 2013
Who is Eligible?
All members of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) who are Florida residents are eligible. HLA-FL is committed to assembling a board comprised of individuals with a diversity of skills, backgrounds, hearing loss, and ages. Hearing applicants with sensitivity to the needs of people with hearing loss will be considered. Ability to work with others is essential. Positive thinkers with the desire to improve the quality of life for hard of hearing Florida residents are encouraged to apply. HLA-FL members may nominate themselves for board membership or nominate another Florida HLAA member (with permission).
What is Required?
The board meets at least three times a year in locations that vary to provide equitable geographic access. Members are encouraged to attend all meetings. Costs of travel are the members' responsibility. Members are asked to take active roles on standing and ad hoc committees. Meetings are presently held on Saturdays to accommodate employed members. Major committee work occurs between board meetings and is most often transacted by e-mail or chat room; thus, board members are required to have e-mail access. Reimbursements of previously approved expenses on behalf of HLA-FL are available to trustees upon request.
How to Apply for the HLA-FL Board:
Application forms are available by contacting Richard Herring, Chair, HLA-FL Nominating Committee, 10214 Ashley Oaks Dr. Riverview, FL 33578 or by e-mail at: rhmann@tampabay.rr.com
Applications must be returned to Richard Herring no later than August 7, 2013.
Wed, 11/15/2012
Hello, HLAA State and Chapter Leaders and Coordinators:
You’ve spoken and we’ve listened! Many of you have told us that you would like to have news from us more often, particularly news that you can include in your organizations’ newsletters. Therefore, starting this month, you will receive an email from me with a few brief, newsworthy items. The list will include news and ideas from other state organizations and chapters and from HLAA national. This news brief replaces “This Month in Bethesda” and supplements our other ways of staying in touch with you. (Please see “Did you know…?” below.)
If you want more news for the organization’s newsletters, go to Current News and HLAA Updates on our homepage. Feel free to copy articles in these sections and point readers to www.hearingloss.org for more information. Another suggestion is to except from Hearing Loss Magazine articles or reprint the table of contents and encourage people to join HLAA to receive the bimonthly magazine. Please include the issue date and credit the source.
HLAA Convention 2013 June 27-30, in Portland, Oregon Breaking News!
HLAA State and Chapter Delegate registration is now available. One person from each HLAA State and Chapter organization – preferably a new leader – may register for the convention at a reduced rate. Delegates are required to attend the HLAA State/Chapter workshop on Saturday (June 30) morning, lasting 85 minutes. We welcome them to attend other State and Chapter workshops held Thursday, Friday and Saturday also.
Please fill out the State and Chapter Delegate registration form and send it to Nancy Macklin by fax (301-913-9413), email (convention@hearingloss.org) or regular mail (7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814) by January 31 to get the lowest rate!
Call for Papers for State/Chapter Workshops is here!
Please consider speaking at one of the workshops specifically for HLAA State and Chapter organizations. Complete and send the Call for Papers form to Elizabeth LeBarron, by fax (301-913-9413), email (elebarron@hearingloss.org) or regular mail (7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814) by December 31, 2012.
Awards Nominations Are Now Due!
Please read through the nominations packet and fill out the general or newsletter nomination form. Send the form and any required attachments to Elizabeth LeBarron by fax (301-913-9413), email (elebarron@hearingloss.org) or regular mail (7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814) by January 15.
News flash!
200 Regal Theaters are now fully hearing accessible! Click here for the full story posted here on our website.
Did You Know … ?
… HLAA has many resources to support you as an HLAA State or Chapter organization leader? They are:
- This HLAA State and Chapter News page, promoting news and best practices of HLAA State and Chapter organizations.
- HLAA Official Leaders List, a Yahoo group where you can pose a question and other leaders can respond.
- HLAA State and Chapters blog – to help you stay up on the latest HLAA programs and services for HLAA State and Chapter organization leaders.
- Hearing Loss Magazine – HLAA mails a subscription of the magazine to each HLAA State and Chapter organization and coordinator, to share with HLAA nonmembers.
- State and Chapter workshops at the HLAA Convention – designed specifically to address challenges and celebrate successes of HLAA state and chapter leaders.
- HLAA Awards program – to recognize individuals and HLAA State and Chapter organizations. Please read through the nominations packet and fill out the general or newsletter nomination form. Send the form and any required attachments to Elizabeth LeBarron by fax (301-913-9413), email (elebarron@hearingloss.org) or regular mail (7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814) by January 15.
- Lists of HLAA members in your area, to help you recruit them to your organization and possibly groom them for leadership. Complete and return the HLAA List Use Agreement form.
- HLAA Leader Training Conference – an annual two-and-a-half day meeting of 20 new HLAA Chapter and state leaders, held in Bethesda, Maryland, in the autumn. HLAA notifies existing HLAA State and Chapter leaders two to four months in advance of the conference dates.
Mon, 10/15/2012
ARIZONA
Fountain Hills & Sun Lakes Chapters’ Leader and HLAA Member Receive Award
Hamilton Relay selected HLAA member and chapter leader Elizabeth Booth as one of two recipients for the 2012 Arizona Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award. Ms. Booth is active in volunteering for various hearing loss organizations and providing educational workshops on topics related to hearing loss.
COLORADO
Western Colorado Chapter Helps Demolition Derby
On August 24, Trudy Winkour and Amy and Dennis Becktell ventured to the demolition derby at the Eagle County Fairgrounds at the request of derby organizers to help pass out earplugs for the ear-splitting event. The chapter asked for donations for the earplugs and raised $200 which derby organizers awarded to the chapter. Chapter volunteers also distributed information about the organization, noise-induced hearing loss and the importance of protecting our hearing. Chapter leaders thank derby organizers Laura Newton, Ruth Berglund, Jill Benrey and Sherry Cusson. They plan to participate again next year on September 14, 2013.
FLORIDA
Sarasota Chapter’s Outreach Offers Free Hearing Screenings
Have you ever wondered how the chapter you belong to can get more members and have fun at the same time? Ask the Sarasota Chapter; they had a booth during May’s Better Hearing and Speech Month offering free hearing screenings at the downtown Sarasota Farmer's Market in May.
At the booth, chapter participants counseled some 50 first time visitors about hearing loss and introduced them to HLAA education and support programs. In all, 27 visitors got a hearing screening, most of them for the first time. The most heart-warming story was an 11 year-old boy who came for screening, concerned that being a band drummer was taking its toll on his hearing.
ILLINOIS
Chapter Leaders Attend Event
The “Living Well with Hearing Loss” seminar with Sam Trychin, Ph.D., provided the keynote session for the first-ever gathering of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Chapters in Illinois. Representatives from the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) - Chicago joined the HLAA Chapters for the event. Event organizer Dr. Jay Sheehan stated, “Thanks again to our presenting sponsor, Sonus Hearing Care Professionals; sponsors CaptionCall, ClearSounds; and LOOP IT for donating their time and expertise in providing the professional hearing loop service; and Caption First for the discount on CART service.
“Special thanks also to Mimi Kiley (Lincoln Park Chapter President-Elect), Janet Tusk (Lincoln Park Chapter Vice President-Elect and member of the Illinois Cochlear Implant Chapter) and Marsha Kopp (member of ALDA-Chicago) for volunteering on the planning committee. Last but not least, thanks to HLAA Lincoln Park, ICIC and Central Illinois Chapters and ALDA-Chicago for contributing funds to hire our well-respected presenter.”
NEW YORK
Manhattan (NY) Chapter Honors Students
For the sixth year in a row, the Manhattan Chapter has awarded three New York City high school seniors with scholarships. The awards recognize the students for their accomplishments and their positive approach to the challenges of hearing loss. The chapter’s scholarship awards are funded by proceeds from the chapter’s participation in the New York City Walk4Hearing.
The chapter’s scholarships of $1,500 are one-time awards to be used toward the pursuit of a college degree or vocational education program. To qualify candidates must have applied to a college or vocational education program and wear a hearing aid or cochlear implant. Financial need is not a consideration; instead, recipients are chosen on the basis of academic excellence, leadership qualities, community service experience and work history. Each candidate must submit an essay based on how hearing loss has impacted their lives and how they have adapted to it. The three recipients were honored at a special awards program and recognition on June 5, 2012. Susan Shapiro chairs the scholarship awards selection committee.
Westchester (NY) County Chapter Established HLAA Convention Grant
This year the Westchester Chapter established an annual HLAA Convention grant to help defer the expense of a chapter member attending for the first time. Funding came from monies raised from the chapter’s participation in the Westchester Walk4Hearing and covers the registration fee and three nights at the host hotel. Anita Goldwasser, chapter newsletter editor; Alicen Noselli, chapter representative to the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT); and Adrianne Stern, chapter hospitality chair were the first recipients.
PENNSYLVANIA
HLA-PA Participates in Event Promoting Hearing Aid Tax Credit
The Hearing Loss Association of America’s Pennsylvania State Office (HLAA-PA) and the Pennsylvania chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing participated in a congressional supper on August 22, 2012, featuring U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania. Rep. Gerlach is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1479, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, which would provide a $500 tax credit per hearing aid every five years for dependents and people 55 and older and when the taxpayer's income is under $200,000. (The bill currently has 66 House and 11 Senate co-sponsors. HLAA is a strong supporter of the tax credit.)
Approximately 100 guests attended the event The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) and the Pennsylvania Hearing Healthcare Association (PHHA) were the sponsors; Diana Bender, HLAA-PA’s previous state director and president of the HLAA Board of Trustees, represented HLA-PA on the host committee. Several people with hearing loss spoke about their experiences with hearing loss: Diana Bender; HLAA Delaware County Chapter Treasurer Alan Kutner; Matthew Weintraub, assistant prosecutor in Cape May, New Jersey, and father of a seven-year-old daughter born with a hearing loss and who wears hearing aids); fourteen-year-old Christopher Brown, who has worn hearing aids since the age of two, then spoke about how important his hearing aids are to enabling him to participate in school activities.
Lebanon County (PA) Chapter Founder Remembered
The Reverend Paul Harris was a pioneering advocate for the access, rights and dignity of people with hearing loss and founded support groups in Delaware County (DELHOH) and in Lebanon County (LEBHOH) which became chapters of the Hearing Loss Association of America. For 10 years he also organized innovative summer getaway weekends for people with hearing loss. In 2006 the Hearing Loss Association of America’s Pennsylvania State Office presented him with the Marcia Finisdore Award for his untiring and inspired work. The Rev. Harris, an ordained Methodist minister, passed away in July at age 96 and is survived by his wife Jane who continues to actively foster the work of HLAA and supports locally the push for education, information, advocacy and support.
WISCONSIN
Fox Valley (WI) Chapter Helps Get Arts Center Looped
“Advocacy takes a long time,” HLAA Executive Director Brenda Battat states in the HLAA “Teamwork for Hearing Loss Awareness” DVD. The Fox Valley Chapter knows this all too well. Several chapter members participated in the early planning stages in the late 1990s for the new Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Appleton Wisconsin. While a state-of-the-art infrared (IR) system in the design when it opened in 2002, the receivers that came with the system did not accommodate neckloops. When Fox Valley chapter and Center committee member Julie Olson discovered this, she addressed the issue with PAC management who then ordered neck loops. The solution that worked well for 10 years although the Center had some “dead” spots.
Enter hearing loops. When the Fox Valley Chapter hosted the HLAA-award-winning Educational Hearing Loop Conference in April 2011, PAC staff attended and invited chapter leader and conference chair Julie Olson to talk to their Board of Trustees about hearing loops. The presentation (delivered by chapter Vice President Gene Van Asten) intrigued the PAC Board to do more study and fascinated one of the PAC’s Board members who contacted Ms. Olson in January, 2012 about her own untreated hearing loss. At the following PAC Board meeting, this same Board member prompted the Board to get a quote on a hearing loop for the 2100 seat theater which, due to its size and complexity, would cost close to $175,000. In spite of the high price, the Board decided to install the loop system if funds could be raised for it. Further, a goal was set to get this done by August since the PAC would celebrate its 10th anniversary then. The timing, while short, was perfect.
In February, the PAC organized a committee that included four members of HLAA Fox Valley Chapter to get public and private support for the project, with the lofty goal of having the hearing loop installed in time for the 10th anniversary. In this short time, with ‘the power of collective commitment from the community’ that had built the PAC from the ground up, funds were raised to complete the project prior to the anniversary celebration! “This took an outpouring of generosity from a community that is very special, along with an HLAA Chapter whose members were willing and able to reach out to educate and advocate,” Ms. Olson states. The Fox Valley Chapter started the ball rolling when it asked its members to donate to a collective gift. That generous chapter check was presented to the PAC board president in May to kick off the fund raising project.
On August 14, 2012, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Center during the 10th anniversary celebration. Members of HLAA Fox Valley participated in the celebration by introducing the hearing assistive technology to the community. All of the equipment was paid for and installed before the Broadway Series for the coming year started with Mama Mia the following week. According to Ms. Olson, “There is more to this story, of course, but it shows what people working together can do, even in a very short time! What has been truly remarkable is the pure willingness of the facility and the community to embrace the project, and their willing to listen to and learn from us.”