45TH CP OF NYS ANNUAL CONFERENCE HAD A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State (CP of NYS) Annual Conference brought nearly 900 people from across the state to Albany October 24-26 to exchange ideas and view new technologies affecting the lives of people with disabilities. John J. Pelizza, Ph.D., an authority on wellness, change process, productivity, team building and personal growth, delivered a high-energy Keynote Address that had the more than 250 attendees laughing and enthusiastically participating in the interactive session, setting the tone for the entire conference.

This year’s conference, entitled “Teamwork, the Key to Success,” included nearly 50 sessions and meetings dealing with a wide range of issues. Representatives from state agencies also addressed conference attendees on new initiatives. Sessions on creating Trusts, Assistive Technology, End of Life Decisions, Leadership and Team Building, and Medicaid and Medicare issues provided valuable information to staff, volunteers, consumers and family members from all 22 CP of NYS Affiliates. If you are interested in contacting Dr. Pelizza, or any of the presenters, or would like copies of information packets distributed by a particular speaker please call the Affiliate Services Office at (518) 436-0178.

More than 20 vendors displayed products and services for people with disabilities on Tuesday, October 25. There were also new techniques, ideas and programs displayed at the popular Poster Sessions during the afternoon on Tuesday. The highlight of the Poster Session displays was artwork submitted by consumers from across the state for the second annual Visions of New York Consumer Art Contest. A full-color poster with all 18 pieces of orginal art was displayed and sold at the conference. Posters are still available by calling the Affiliate Services Office.

Eleven individuals and organizations were honored for their accomplishments or for their service to people with disabilities at the CP of NYS Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, October 24. The next night nearly 60 employees from 20 Affiliates and CP of NYS were honored for outstanding service at the Celebrate Staff Dinner. A special video produced by CP of NYS commemorating a remarkable 40-year relationship with the New York State Elks Association, was shown at the Monday night dinner. The Elks have raised awareness and more than $20 million to support the CP of NYS Home Service program since 1965. Following the dinners, conference attendees enjoyed evening activities with friends and colleagues from other Affiliates.

The 2006 CP of NYS Annual Conference is scheduled for October 23-25. The event will be hosted by The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany for the 16th consecutive year. The CP of NYS Annual Conference is sponsored in part by The Irwin Siegel Agency and Citicorp.

Agnes McCray, from Enable in Syracuse, receives the 2005 Al Felmet Achievement Award from Robert DiFrancesco of the CP of NYS Board of Directors.	Natalie Rogers, of the CP of NYS Board of Directors, presents the Daniel Wieder Professional Leadership Award to Alan Krafchin, President/CEO of the Center for the Disabled in Albany.
Thomas Maul, Commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (at right) is presented with the Distinguished Service Award by Susan Constantino, President/CEO of Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State and Robert DiFrancesco of the CP of NYS Board of Directors.	Ernest Southworth, Board Chairman, New York State Elks Major Projects, Inc. presents the Elks Award to June Williams of Rensselaer Lodge #2073.
Jackie Koenig presents the Anthony J. Koenig Volunteer of the Year Award to Thomas D. Connolly from UCPA of Nassau County.	Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg (second from left), recipient of the 2005 CP of NYS Legislator of the Year Award and his wife Ellen (left) with Robert McGuire, Executive Director, UCPA of Nassau County (right) Karen Geller-Hittleman, Assistant Executive Director, UCPA of Nassau County and Jack Weinstein, CP of NYS Board of Directors.
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Sylvia Leach, from UCP of New York City, winner of the 2005 Visions of New York Consumer Art Contest with James E. Johansen, Chairman, CP of NYS Board of Directors.