MEMBERSHIP MATTERS!
Membership brings people together who share a common goal — improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. Membership fulfills many needs, including advocacy
efforts, public awareness, volunteers for the agency, and financial support. Membership in Ontario ARC is open to all individuals who are interested in the agency’s mission and vision for people with developmental disabilities.
As membership increases so does Ontario ARC’s voice and strength on local and state levels. Membership gives the agency, through NYSARC, Inc., the voice it needs to influence decisions made by state legislators and policymakers by effectively advocating on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP ENABLES ONTARIO ARC TO:
· Fund programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.
· Provide advocacy to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families through state legislation and policy.
· Provide advocacy for people with developmental disabilities in your local community.
· Provide a base of volunteers for agency involvement.
· Inform and educate the public at large about people with developmental disabilities. Awareness is the first step in creating society-wide acceptance and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.
· Bring people together who share our mission and vision.
BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF ONTARIO ARC INCLUDE:
· Membership in NYSARC, Inc., the largest not-for-profit organization in the state (75,000 members statewide) for families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Includes access to numerous resources and materials and a Legislative Action Center. (www.nysarc.org).
· Membership in the national organization, The Arc US, which also offers resource materials, in addition to the Legislative Action Center (http://www.capwiz.com/thearc/state/main/?state=NY) for advocacy efforts.
· Opportunities to contribute time and talent through volunteerism.
· Access to NYSARC’s Guardianship and Trust programs.
· Receipt of Ontario ARC’s newsletter, ARC Notes, with up to date information concerning the agency.
· Access to Ontario ARC’s website, www.ontarioarc.org, for resources and an interactive BLOG for up-to-date information.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF ONTARIO ARC?
Membership in Ontario ARC automatically makes you a member of NYSARC, Inc. and The Arc U.S. Please use the membership form that came with this packet, call us at 585-394-7500 or email dauria@ontarioarc.org to join in our membership today!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Albany Update
Below is an update on the situation in Albany. I encourage you to continue making phone calls, writing emails and sending letters regarding the potential cuts to services for people with developmental disabilities. In addition, please encourage our legislators to continue to support Federal Medicaid funding. As we face this potential round of cuts, also keep in mind we will need to continue to advocate when they prepare to build the 2010-2011 budget that could also hold cuts to services for people with developmental disabilities. Thank you for advocating!
Update from Albany
RE: Deficit Reduction Plan
Monday, November 23 was another day without any evidence of progress regarding the Deficit Reduction Plan as legislators appear to position themselves to leave town for Thanksgiving. Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson delivered a brief report on DRP negotiations that emphasized that progress was, in fact, being made.
"Sampson noted that only about seven weeks remain until the Legislature will return to take up the question of the 2010-2011 budget. `Next year's going to be far worse," he said, referring to the need for sacrifice."
The Senate and Assembly will be back in session today, November 24.
ADVOCATES WORKED OVER THE WEEKEND WITH LEGISLATIVE STAFF ON A PROPOSAL TO OFFSET HARD SERVICE CUTS WITH ADDITIONAL federal revenue. The revenue proposal is generating strong interest in the Legislature. Further, there are some reports of the Governor tempering his resistance to this approach though his office is still against it.
This is an uphill battle but it is not letting up. On November 23, about 70 program participants and staff from counties in the Capital District (and from as far away as Chemung County and Suffolk County on Long Island) held a vigil in Albany.
Senator George Winner and Assemblyman Tom O'Mara stopped by to see constituents from Chemung's UCP affiliate in the Governor's reception area, "The War Room." In the Assembly Chamber, Assemblyman George Amedore came out to see a large contingent of his constituents from the Montgomery ARC.
Other legislators to speak to vigil participants included Senators John Flanagan, Brian Foley, Andrew Lanza, Tom Morahan and Eric Schniedeman, Liz Krueger, Neil Breslin, Suzi Oppenhiemer, Hugh Farley, Kemp Hannon and Democratic Senate Leader John Sampson.
However, barring extraordinary circumstances, organizers opted not to hold a vigil on Wednesday, November 25th, given the likelihood of minimal legislative activity on the day before Thanksgiving.
The next vigil tentatively scheduled following Thanksgiving for Monday afternoon, November 30th.
Update from Albany
RE: Deficit Reduction Plan
Monday, November 23 was another day without any evidence of progress regarding the Deficit Reduction Plan as legislators appear to position themselves to leave town for Thanksgiving. Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson delivered a brief report on DRP negotiations that emphasized that progress was, in fact, being made.
"Sampson noted that only about seven weeks remain until the Legislature will return to take up the question of the 2010-2011 budget. `Next year's going to be far worse," he said, referring to the need for sacrifice."
The Senate and Assembly will be back in session today, November 24.
ADVOCATES WORKED OVER THE WEEKEND WITH LEGISLATIVE STAFF ON A PROPOSAL TO OFFSET HARD SERVICE CUTS WITH ADDITIONAL federal revenue. The revenue proposal is generating strong interest in the Legislature. Further, there are some reports of the Governor tempering his resistance to this approach though his office is still against it.
This is an uphill battle but it is not letting up. On November 23, about 70 program participants and staff from counties in the Capital District (and from as far away as Chemung County and Suffolk County on Long Island) held a vigil in Albany.
Senator George Winner and Assemblyman Tom O'Mara stopped by to see constituents from Chemung's UCP affiliate in the Governor's reception area, "The War Room." In the Assembly Chamber, Assemblyman George Amedore came out to see a large contingent of his constituents from the Montgomery ARC.
Other legislators to speak to vigil participants included Senators John Flanagan, Brian Foley, Andrew Lanza, Tom Morahan and Eric Schniedeman, Liz Krueger, Neil Breslin, Suzi Oppenhiemer, Hugh Farley, Kemp Hannon and Democratic Senate Leader John Sampson.
However, barring extraordinary circumstances, organizers opted not to hold a vigil on Wednesday, November 25th, given the likelihood of minimal legislative activity on the day before Thanksgiving.
The next vigil tentatively scheduled following Thanksgiving for Monday afternoon, November 30th.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
From Ontario ARC's Board President, Joe Bognanno
Hello and welcome to Ontario ARC's official blog! If you aren't sure who we are or what we do, check out our Web site -- http://www.ontarioarc.org/.
Last week, Joe Bognanno -- board president and active Chapter member -- wrote a letter to parents involved with our organization inviting them to a meeting to discussed the budget cuts proposed by Governor Paterson. Here's what he wrote...
Last week, Joe Bognanno -- board president and active Chapter member -- wrote a letter to parents involved with our organization inviting them to a meeting to discussed the budget cuts proposed by Governor Paterson. Here's what he wrote...
November 6, 2009
Dear Parent:
We are faced with a crisis in our field unlike anything we have ever seen. Governor Paterson is proposing massive cuts, which will directly impact services for people with developmental disabilities. If the cuts are approved, the results will be devastating. This will mean close to a $2 million loss of funding to Ontario ARC and directly impact the people we serve.
Every program and service we offer is at risk and we need you to be informed. If you have a family member who receives a service such as residential, clinical, service coordination, recreation or any of our day programs, they are all at risk. Any of these services could be drastically reduced or eliminated all together. We are asking you to attend a very important informational meeting to hear more about our dilemma and what you can do to help.
Please plan on attending one of the meetings below. All meetings will be held at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility, 3071 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua. Please RSVP to Donna Auria at (585) 394-7500 ext. 191 or dauria@ontarioarc.org.
Meetings Dates and Times:
Wednesday, November 18th 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, November 18th 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 19th 6:30 – 7:30 PM
I encourage you to attend and help us prepare to face very difficult times.
Dear Parent:
We are faced with a crisis in our field unlike anything we have ever seen. Governor Paterson is proposing massive cuts, which will directly impact services for people with developmental disabilities. If the cuts are approved, the results will be devastating. This will mean close to a $2 million loss of funding to Ontario ARC and directly impact the people we serve.
Every program and service we offer is at risk and we need you to be informed. If you have a family member who receives a service such as residential, clinical, service coordination, recreation or any of our day programs, they are all at risk. Any of these services could be drastically reduced or eliminated all together. We are asking you to attend a very important informational meeting to hear more about our dilemma and what you can do to help.
Please plan on attending one of the meetings below. All meetings will be held at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility, 3071 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua. Please RSVP to Donna Auria at (585) 394-7500 ext. 191 or dauria@ontarioarc.org.
Meetings Dates and Times:
Wednesday, November 18th 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, November 18th 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 19th 6:30 – 7:30 PM
I encourage you to attend and help us prepare to face very difficult times.
Sincerely,
Joseph Bognanno
President, Ontario ARC Board of Directors
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)