Independent Living Training Council (ILTC)
Summary of ILTC Meeting
September 18-19,
2007
Dallas, TX
Present: Billy Altom, Yavonka Archaga, Julie Ballinger, Larry Gardner, Carri George, Dr. Marcy Haag, Lance Hamilos, Alisha Hammond, Jeff Hughes, Kecheta Jacobs-McCoy, Celestino Jaramillo, Paige Kelly, Frieda Kliewer, Paula Margeson, Carl McMillen, Jeanne Miller, Laurie Pryor, Bob Utley.
New members were welcomed, introductions made, and the ILTC given their charge:
- Provide the RCEP with information on training and technical assistance needs in the region.
- Take information on training and TA opportunities and resources to your agencies/consumers/communities.
- Assist in developing partnerships between VR and IL.
Carri and Julie explained that the IL NET contract will end on September 30. While ILRU and NCIL have received the grant to continue providing training and technical assistance to CILs and SILCs, they have decided not to continue the Regional Coordinator structure. This means that support for regional IL activities will come primarily from the RCEP grant. While CURRENTS does have another IL grant (CHIRP), that grant is dedicated to specific activities promoting collaboration between CILs and VR agencies around the issue of youth transition. ILTC members received CDs with copies of the CHIRP training materials from the first round of training.
The theme that emerged from this year’s ILTC meeting was a Region 6 Revival. The primary need identified was the loss of a sense of cohesion, connection and community in the region. This may be due to turnover in leadership and staff, overwork, burnout, apathy, and other factors. Billy Altom and other ILTC members used the analogy of regular attendance at places of worship. Even though people who regularly attend hear the same messages, sing the same songs, go over the same histories, it is that reinforcement, consistency and communion that strengthens our faith, builds our community and kindles our passion. In the discussion, key questions were raised:
Has independent living become a program rather than a movement?
What is the central issue that will rally us together?
How can we create a safe, supportive community where members can ask for and receive help and not be afraid to admit mistakes?
After more discussion, it was suggested that the central issue might be “What is Independent Living in Region 6 and what do we want it to be?” To continue the faith-based analogy, if the Rehab Act is our Bible, then this discussion would need to include what we want from the reauthorization of the Rehab Act, and whether or not we can achieve what we want to achieve through the Rehab Act, or do we need something new.
ILTC members expressed the need for a retreat or revival meeting that would have the following characteristics:
a) One track for leadership and one track for frontline staff.
b) Format should allow for opportunities (particularly for staff) to connect with each other, share information, and build relationships.
c) Use facilitators to lead small group discussions on specific questions relevant to the audience, allowing for interaction, mentoring and working through solutions.
d) Provide opportunities for staff to express their needs, frustrations and ideas and be heard—by each other and by the leadership.
e) Tap into the wealth of the region and use people from the region to facilitate discussions, etc.
f) Include, as a practical application component, a simulation that will help participants understand the legislative process and crystallize the discussion on the Rehab Act/IL legislation.
g) Include IL history and philosophy in a context that is relevant to how staff practice it in “the trenches” every day.
h) Include VR independent living staff and SILC staff and members.
Paula Margeson suggested an icebreaker entitled “What Do You Bring to the Table,” with small groups made up of representatives from all of the different organizations participating.
Developing a marketing plan for independent living was suggested as another possible discussion topic for the retreat. Laurie Pryor suggested the discussion topic “How do we engage consumers in the movement; how do we identify consumer leaders?”
It was suggested that we might require directors to bring two staff in order to participate.
After some impressive Green Hat Thinking, fueled by ice cream and Tex-Mex munchies, the ILTC came up with the idea of having the retreat on a cruise ship.
It might even be possible to schedule the cruise to coincide with the end of the SILC Congress and leave from New Orleans. It was suggested that we might host a Region 6 event at the SILC Congress, such as a reception or dinner. However, many felt that the attendees at the SILC Congress would be limited and would not represent all of the individuals and organizations we wanted to involve.
Jeff Hughes volunteered to contact a travel agent who is a member of a CIL board and has worked with IL events in the past. Jeff will contact Carri when he has the information from the travel agent on cruises, and Carri will set up a conference call so that the ILTC can continue the planning for the retreat. CURRENTS will need the help and support of the ILTC members in order to bring about the retreat. In particular, ILTC members can help secure financial resources and help market the event.