People First of Missouri Message From the People Newsletter - Summer 2019 In this Issue Message from the President, p.1 PFMO Prepares for SOAR, Cheers Leaders at Missouri Meeting, p.2 Self-Advocates from Four States SOAR Together, p.3 Goodbye to a Friend and Self-Advocate Leader, p.4 Page 1 Message From the President by Cathy Enfield, PFMO President Hello. I appreciate this opportunity to speak with you again. As you may know, election of statewide PFMO officers will be held during our Fall Steering Committee meeting. I will be stepping down as your President at that time, as my term is up. I want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for the support you have given me over the past four years. I deeply appreciate the opportunity it provided me to work with all of you. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish during that time but realize that there is much left to do. I also realize that the coming years will be filled with challenges for People First and for self-advocacy. For this reason, I am urging you to seriously consider how you want our organization to go forward and who might be the best leaders to make that happen. Talk to your chapter members back home as well as other Steering Committee members to listen and work together. We will need the support of each other if we are to move forward successfully. It is also not too early to start thinking about the elections coming up in our country next year. I urge you all to start now. Listen and learn about issues and candidates and prepare to make the best decision you can for your own life when you go the polls. And please, please, please, make sure you vote. Encourage everyone you know to vote as well. There is no better way for a self-advocate to make their voice heard than by voting. Thank you again for the honor of being your President and the opportunity to work with each of you. As you move forward in life, I want to encourage you one more time to: “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. THANK YOU! Cathy People First of Missouri 2019 Officers Cathy Enfield, President Roger Crome, Vice President Katie Kinder, Treasurer Kelly Ray, Secretary Johanna Wortmann, Sergeant at Arms Page 2 A Look Back at SOAR Conference! Photo spread spanning two inside pages: Photos include: first row, left to right: two Steering Committee members transport SOAR Conference bags as they prepare for people to arrive; Roger Crome presents Self-advocate of the Year award to Kayla Aldridge; Steering Committee listens to a presentation about how to share the Social Capital Web with local chapters, wide shot of the crowd at SOAR Conference second row, left to right: Steering Committee makes an assembly line to fill bags with goodies; Katie Kinder presents chapter adviser of the year award to Mark Satterwhite; Roger Crome and Kelly Ray present the support person of the year award to Robin Stockdall; Ollie Cantos speaks to the crowd; Garrett Holeve and his dad Mitch entertain the crowd, Michael Beers smiles during his comedy routine third row, left to right: Live band, Bouncy House, performs at the Friday night outdoor mixer on the patio; Audience members cheer for the band while dancing; two SOAR participants sit in a breakout session; Ed O'Malley talks about leadership; PFMO members have fun on the dance floor Saturday night Headline: PFMO Prepares for SOAR, Cheers Leaders at Missouri Meeting Story: People First Steering Committee members met early Friday, May 31, to learn about their role as conference hosts. They had a lot of work to do to get ready for SOAR, preparing bags, booklets, and giveaways for participants from four states. Members pitched in to help move items to the welcome table and answer questions from people as they arrived for the weekend. Friday night, Missouri held its state meeting where PFMO gave awards to people who are making a difference. Awards went to: Kayla Aldridge, self-advocate of the year; Mark Satterwhite, chapter adviser of the year; Robin Stockdall, direct support professional of the year; and Developmental Disabilities Resource Board/Family Advocacy and Community Training, agency of the year. A Lifetime Achievement award was announced for Dolores Sparks, who recently retired from the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council. Afterwards, Missouri joined other states for an outdoor mixer, complete with live music, dancing, and a fire pit. Page 3: Headline: Self-Advocates from Four States SOAR Together Story: May 31-June 2, 2019, People First of Missouri hosted over 220 self-advocates, family members, and allies from four states. The Seeking Opportunities for an Advocacy Revolution (SOAR) Conference was the firstever Midwest regional conference for Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, member states in the Heartland Self-advocacy Resource Network. The event offered fun, networking, and learning. Speakers included national disability leader and self-advocate, Ollie Cantos; MMA fighter and self-advocate, Garrett Holeve; comedian and self-advocate, Michael Beers; and leadership expert Ed O’Malley. There were also 10 breakout session choices and exhibitors from each of the four states. Other fun included a dance with disc jockey, paper airplane flying contest, and a photo booth/selfie station. The conference received great reviews! To see SOAR photos and read comments from surveys, visit: http://heartlandselfadvocacy.org/conference/. Page 4: Headline: Goodbye to a Friend and Self-Advocate Leader Story: On July 13, 2019, People First of Missouri members gathered to say goodbye to our friend Alicia Meyer at her memorial service. We joined many others who also miss her. On her way to SOAR Conference on May 31, Alicia was in an accident that took her life. We lost a strong advocate and dear friend that day. Alicia was a member of the PFMO Steering Committee for several years, former president of her local chapter, and member of the SOAR planning committee. She was also in the current class of Partners in Policymaking. Alicia was a strong advocate who spoke up for herself and others. We will never forget her. Photo of Alicia Meyer, sitting at the center of a table of other members, helps in a PFMO Steering Committee meeting. People First of Missouri Contact Information: PO Box 30142 Kansas City, MO 64112 (800) 558-8652 missouripeoplefirst.org missouripeoplefirst @gmail.com facebook.com/ missouripeoplefirst twitter.com/ MOpeoplefirst