The Gathering

[Guest guest]

:

" The Gathering "

What does a good life look like?

A life rich in relationships and friendships. Strong connections

with family or a small intimate group. To be treated justly. Work,

especially meaningful work. Opportunities to discover and develop

skills, abilities, gifts and talents. To be dealt with honestly and

to be treated as an individual. Access to places of genuine

community and the sites of everyday life. Being able to contribute,

and having ones contributions recognized as valuable.

Join us to learn about person directed supports through the

development of Microboards and Human Service atives. Learn

from those who have created customized, person centered supports and

get an update on progress in Illinois. This gathering will enhance

this growing movement used by individuals to exert even greater

control over their day to day lives.

Friday, June 27 Day 1

Keynote:

Jacki Golden " When People Control Their Own Destinies "

Breakout sessions

___What is a Microboard? – gain a general understanding

of this exciting approach and its application in the day to day lives

of individuals with disabilities and those who care about them.

___What is a Human service ative? – gain a general

understanding of this exciting approach and its application in the

day to day lives of individuals with disabilities and those who care

about them.

___ Financial Oversight 101: This session will provide a

basic overview of business and accounting practices that are

important for members of a board of directors to know and

understand. Basic terms will be reviewed along with reporting

requirements and questions board members should be prepared to ask

their accountants.

Panel and Lunch

Spend some time learning from those who are members of atives

and Microboards:

Inspire: Britton

Pink Coyote: Jim and Carolyn

World Café - We will engage our collective energy and wisdom in

conversations about questions that matter. We will think about the

future and meaning of community in Illinois, including ALL of its

members! What could community membership and inclusion also be? What

questions if answered would strengthen our practice in supporting

people to have a good life?…in supporting people and their families

to direct their own lives and realize their own plans and dreams?….in

supporting a person to act as a contributing citizen?

Dinner Picnic at Starved Rock

Join us for a cook out at Starved Rock State Park! Cesal will

lead us in an activity to hone our self determination skills.

June 28 Day 2

Breakouts

___Skill building: PATH guides – advanced training:

Skill building: for PATH guides – an opportunity for advanced

training: using the MAPS process: learn the steps of the MAPS

process and then engage in small group work practicing the process.

Build understanding of the differences between PATH and MAPS. This

session will run the entire day and is intended for those who have

completed the PATH facilitation training only.

___Introduction: What is a Microboard? Gain a general

understanding of this exciting approach.

___Introduction: What is a Human Service ative?

Gain a general understanding of this exciting approach.

Lunch and Networking

___ In-depth Microboard information session: Learn what a

Microboard is and is not; gain an overview of the process used to

help individuals and their families create Microboard; Learn pitfalls

to avoid so that Microboards can prosper.

Day 2 continued

___In-depth Human Service ative training: Learn how

cooperatives are similar to traditional agencies, with a major

difference: governing authority and responsibility are placed

entirely in the hands of member-owners – the individual people who

are served and their representatives (typically close friends and

family members). This kind of empowerment gives people control of

their lives, power over their choices, and control of their human

services.

_____ " What is a PATH " Managing the Art of Living is anchored in the

in the desire for people to live full, rich lives - the lives they

want to live - with the support of family, friends, community and

public resources. This means full inclusion in the cultural,

economic and civic life of the community and the opportunity to make

significant contributions. Learn how PATH (Planning Alternative

tomorrows with Hope) is a proven tool for moving towards meaningful

connection, companionship and contribution and building creative and

enduring circles of support

_____ative Intensive: A Forum for Getting Started! Includes:

1) Development Activities for those interested in forming a self

directed co-op 2)Question and Answers with individuals already in

the process.

Speakers: Come hear from the people who are doing the work

Ruthie-Marie Beckwith

Ruthie currently develops and supports Microboards throughout the

State of Tennessee. Ruthie Beckwith developed the Tennessee

Microboards Association, an 'underpinning' organization that supports

over 70 Microboards throughout that State

Gale and Holly Bohling

Gale and Holly have developed Human Service atives throughout

Arizona and in Tennessee. They have also created a national

cooperative that provides a network of resources to support the

development and ongoing management of HSC certified Co-ops.

Britton

serves on the Federated HSC Board. He is a member of Inspire,

HSC and one of the first folks to use services through Inspire. He

was born in Lincoln, Illinois and currently lives in Arizona. He is

experienced in board leadership and has served on two other boards,

People First of Phoenix, treasurer and Marc Center in Bloomington,

Illinois.

is an adventurer and is known for his sky diving escapades in

1997. " My motto, is to never give up! " He also says, " What I do

best is help people. " is a strong self advocate and speaks out

in a positive way for change to happen.

Cesal

For the last three years, has been working for an organization

based in Decatur, Illinois, called Macon Resources. The main goals

are to educate people with disabilities on how to speak up for

themselves and to personally advocate for those who can't or don't

know how. has a Bachelors Degree from the University of White

Water in Wisconsin, in Women Studies and Family Health.

Jacki Golden

Jacki is the founder of 's House, one of the first Microboards

in the United States. She is the National Resource Specialist for

the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and the co-director of " My Life

Going Far' (MLGF) where she co directs with Willard on the

roll out of the New Directions waiver through a grant from the

land Developmental Disabilities Council Jackie formerly worked

for DB Consulting Group, Inc where she was the project director of a

national grant entitled Self-direction in Mental Health for the

federal agency SAMHSA. Jackie is the former executive director for

Inclusion Research Institute. Jackie is also a parent of two children

with disabilities.

Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn

Jack and Lynda are co-leaders of Inclusion Press International

www.inclusion.com, based in Toronto. Jack is one of the principal

authors of PATH, MAPS, Circles of Friends and other great tools for

facilitation and planning. Lynda served for 9 years as state

director in Rhode Island's Division of Developmental Disabilities and

helped close its only institution in 1995. Lynda and Jack enjoy

designing learning and planning processes created to engage people in

action for social change.

" The Gathering " is sponsored by a grant through the Illinois Planning

Council on Developmental Disabilities

Project Administrated by Tony Records and Associates

Registration

$25 per person

Number of attendees X $25) _____

Lunch day 1 ($10 per person) _____

Lunch day 2 ($10 per person) _____

Picnic at Starved Rock no charge

Total amount enclosed: _____

Friday night cook- out We'll enjoy some fellowship, food off the

grill and beautiful weather by the river!

There are a limited number of stipends are available contact Jill

Rodgers at jilltma@... or call 615-225-8789

Name (s) _________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________

Make checks payable to Tony Records and Associates

And mail to:

Partridge

3028 N Trainer Road

Rockford IL 61114

For questions, email wkkp@...

Lodging

We have reserved sleeping rooms in two locations:

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Grand Bear Villas have been reserved at a savings of over 30% at a

rate of $199 per night.

These massive, two story town homes can sleep up to nine. They

feature two full size bedrooms and sleeping accommodations on the

first floor. Villas come equipped with full size kitchens. The

block rate includes 6 person occupancy with a $15 fee for additional

guests. 6 water/amusement park passes are included in this reduced

rate.

Ask for the " Managing the Art of Living " Block

866-399-3866 toll free number option 1 reservations

Holiday Inn Express – Oglesby

$109 per night

800-HOLIDAY or

815-883-3535

Deadline for hotel reservations is May 17, 2008

________________________________________