AG Bell Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) Call for Leaders!
Do you enjoy conversation? Have a special interest or passion you love to talk about? Have tips and information to share? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you would make a great leader for one of AG Bell's Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). SIGs are online networking communities exclusively for AG Bell members that provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information. Examples of potential SIGs include forums on issues such as:
- Parents of children with cochlear implants (successes, reservations, wisdom and advise)
- Advocating for your child in the public schools (IEP process; what works and what doesn't)
- International professional connection (learn what's happening outside the U.S.)
- And just about any other topic a SIG leader would like to suggest!
As AG Bell launches this effort, it is putting out a "call for leaders" to encourage volunteer leadership participation in our online networking community. AG Bell's volunteers are the heart and soul of the AG Bell community...we need your involvement to make SIGs a success.
- Are you a member of AG Bell?
- Do you have regular access to the Internet
- Are you 18 or older
- Can you set aside a few hours to read our SIG Guidelines to learn about the SIG leader's role
- Can you commit two or three hours per week to leading a SIG?
- Are you willing to become well acquainted with www.agbell.org that you can guide your SIG members to the great resources available on our site?
- Would you enjoy being a SIG leader?
If you are interested in being a SIG leader, click here and fill out a "New SIG Request Form." All information provided will be confidential.
Next Steps:
1. Once you submit your application, an AG Bell staff person will contact you directly.
2. The topic will be evaluated to determine if there is any topical overlap with existing SIGs.
3. A survey will be sent to all AG Bell members to assess the level of interest in the topic proposed; a minimum of 15 members must express interest in participating for the SIG to be considered.
4. All applications are then reviewed and approved by the AG Bell Board of Directors.
Still have questions? Please contact Elizabeth Reed-Martinez, AG Bell Director of Association Relations and Administration, at ereed-martinez@agbell.org
| AG Bell Welcomes New Member to its Board of Directors
The AG Bell Board of Directors extends a warm welcome to its newest member, Meredith K. Knueve, Esq., for the 2009-2012 term. Elected by a membership vote, Knueve is a practicing attorney in the tax, trusts and estates group at the law firm of Brickler & Eckler in Columbus, Ohio, and has a 3-year-old son who uses bilateral cochlear implants. Knueve served as secretary of the board of directors for the AG Bell Ohio Chapter for the last two years and is active in other nonprofit capacities, specifically organizations related to hearing loss.
"I am honored to have been elected by the members of AG Bell to the national board. My involvement in AG Bell as a parent of a child who is profoundly deaf has equipped and empowered me with the knowledge and encouragement I needed to start my son down a path of listening and speaking, which will greatly enrich his life," said Knueve. "My further involvement as a Chapter-level board member allowed me to give some of that information and support back to others and to see the positive impact AG Bell has on the lives of children with hearing loss and their families. I am thrilled to be able to expand my participation to the national level and thank you for the opportunity."
Jay Wyant, president of the AG Bell Board of Directors, stated, "We are very excited to have Meredith join the AG Bell Board of Directors. Meredith has a unique skill set combining a passionate, personal desire to support the mission of the organization with a strong legal, philanthropic and educational background. On behalf of all the members of the board, we look forward to working with her and benefiting from her expertise."
| Get Connected - Join AG Bell's Social Networking Communities
AG Bell is pleased to offer online communities for members and supporters through popular social networking Web sites:
- For Facebook users, AG Bell is pleased to offer an official AG Bell Facebook group. Click here to view the group and join in on the fun!
- AG Bell also "tweets" from its own Twitter site. Click here to check it out and follow the updates as they happen.
- For those who use LinkedIn, AG Bell has an active group available. Click here to join the AG Bell LinkedIn network.
- AG Bell has its own channel on YouTube, featuring videos from Hear Our Voices online exhibit. Click here to view the videos.
Networking is an extremely important part of AG Bell's community. With lively discussions and announcements about association activities and initiatives, these social networking groups can enhance and improve your AG Bell experience.
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AG Bell is the proud winner of the 2009 Award of Excellence for its "Hear Our Voices" video exhibit.
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| Online Registration Now Open for the AG Bell 2009 Listening & Spoken Language Symposium!
Online registration is now open for the AG Bell 2009 Listening & Spoken Language Symposium. The Symposium, to be held July 23-25 in St. Louis, Mo., will focus on Executive Function -- a critical aspect for children to learn how to learn. An understanding of Executive Function can help professionals identify where cognitive breakdowns occur, and may also help highlight a child or adult's areas of strength and talent.
Information on registration, educational sessions, sponsors and exhibitions, and travel and accommodations is now available at www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org or simply by clicking here.
Attention AG Bell members: you must login to your new profile on www.agbell.org in order to register at the Symposium Member Rate.
| Advances in Research Issue of Volta Voices Now Available!
 The May/June issue of Volta Voices is now available online and arrived in mailboxes last week. Focusing on “Advances in Research,” this issue highlights the future of hearing science and provides an exciting preview to the AG Bell 2009 Listening & Spoken Language Symposium July 23-25 in St. Louis, Mo., with an article on executive function and children with cochlear implants.
Other articles include a history snapshot of The Volta Review, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, and the benefits of participating in research studies for families and children with hearing loss. Also, be sure to check out the Directory of Services located in the back of each issue of the magazine providing a comprehensive list of schools, programs and organizations catering to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the families and professionals who support them. Members can access a PDF of this issue by logging into AG Bell's Web site. Additional paper copies are available for purchase through the AG Bell Bookstore.
| Preschool-Age Financial Aid Program Applications Now Available!
AG Bell’s Preschool-Age Financial Aid program was established to provide financial support to families of preschool-age children who have a moderate to profound hearing loss and are seeking a listening and spoken language outcome for their child. Grants are awarded to alleviate expenses associated with obtaining services such as auditory support, speech-language therapy, pre-school tuition, or with the costs associated with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Families who apply should be committed to a listening and spoken language outcome for their child. Click here for more information or to download an application. Deadline for applications is July 31, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
| Two New Shared Interest Groups Proposed
Last week, AG Bell Update issued a "call to action" for AG Bell members to submit ideas for Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). In response, AG Bell received the following submissions for consideration by members: SIG Name: "Students and New Professionals"
SIG Purpose: To bring together graduate students and practicing professionals in the field of listening and spoken language. The purpose of this group will be to make connections, network, share experiences and best practice patterns, assist others in preparing for the LSLS exams and finding mentors, and encourage the next generation of professionals in listening and spoken language fields. This SIG will bring together graduate students in speech-language pathology, deaf education, audiology and related fields as well as new professionals as we begin our careers in this exciting and ever-changing field. Our goal is to support the next generation of leaders for AG Bell and create strong advocates for every child with hearing loss to listen, talk and succeed!
SIG Audience:Graduate students and new professionals in speech-language pathology, deaf education, audiology and related fields.
SIG Name: "CI Users"
SIG Purpose: A place for individuals with cochlear implants (CIs) to share experiences and a resource for those seeking information about how to navigate the process of receiving an implant and those learning to interpret their environment. This SIG will be lead by a dynamic and successful CI user who received her implant at age 30.
SIG Audience: Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who use CIs and those who want to learn more about how to sucessfully integrate CI use into their lives. Click here to cast your vote for these proposed SIGs by logging into your AG Bell member account and clicking the ‘Vote! New SIG Proposal” link. Voting will end July 2.
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