State Chapter Handbook
CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT
For Use in the Development of Local ADARA Chapters
The purpose of a local chapter is to further the goals and objectives of ADARA and to form the basis for a communication network that assists ADARA and ADARA members in keeping abreast of local and national priorities in the field of deafness.
Rationale for ADARA Chapter Development
ADARA is an organization whose membership is representative of the broad range of service oriented professionals and non-professionals who subscribe to the stated purposes of the organization. Those purposes are:
To enhance the quality of services available to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons;
To offer a forum for professional persons, students, parents, and laypersons to develop a better understanding of the unique rehabilitation and service needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. A constant focus of this form is the importance of communication skills in working effectively with Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons;
To encourage and promote research that will advance understanding of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and result in improved rehabilitation and related services;
To encourage the recruitment and training of professionals skilled in working with deaf individuals.
Currently, fields that area represented in the membership include, but are not limited to, administrators, psychologists, counselors, mental health specialists, audiologists, educators, interpreters, social workers, and rehabilitation personnel. These are members who are interested and have a concern in keeping with the purposes of ADARA. In addition, there are members who are parents of deaf children and who also subscribe to the purposes of the organization. Thus, as may be seen, membership is broad and open.
It is felt that such a membership opens the possibilities for the greatest interaction among all of us who are concerned about appropriate services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. The biennial conferences have been successful to a large degree because of the broad interests people bring to the conferences. We believe that chapters would provide even greater opportunity for even more meaningful and effective efforts on behalf of concerns and needs in the field of deafness. For this reason, chapter development within ADARA is of highest priority.
One question that might naturally arise is, "What good does the establishment of a chapter accomplish?" The answer is, of course, "None." However, by virtue of establishing a chapter and mustering a membership, a group of people with common goals and interests can become a dynamic force in problems and issues at local, state, regional, and national levels. The group is much more able to meet for common endeavors, to plan and implement the plans in an extra-meaningful level. The chapter has, then, the potential for being a real force and, at the same time, enhancing the viability of other chapters and of the national organization. Taken together, WE CAN influence policy formation and decision making in areas with which we are concerned.
Introduction
ADARA, formerly the Professional Rehabilitation Workers with the Adult Deaf (PRWAD), is an organization that was created out of an identified need for a medium which would provide a common meeting ground for those concerned with adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. The organization's biennial conferences are visible testimony to support the judgements of those instrumental in founding ADARA. The tangible evidence of ADARA's success is perhaps best seen in the successful publication of the JADARA (Journal of American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association) and the past deafness annuals, as well as the planning and implementation of biennial national conferences that have drawn attendance from throughout the United States to consider issues relevant to the betterment of the quality of life and services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons in our society. Less tangible, but perhaps even more important, is what ADARA has accomplished in providing its membership with a sense of identity and common purpose. Many a person concerned with adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons found him or herself in isolation with a small minority group and the challenges seemingly too much to contend with alone. ADARA has enabled its members to join hands and gain a greater sense of confidence in their united effort.
The organization of ADARA has had a recognition of the ongoing needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons as they move into adulthood. ADARA represented the first national professional organization that focused on the adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing person and his total life experience. ADARA was, in fact, picking up the ball when others were presuming that the ball game was over because the Deaf and Hard of Hearing person had become an adult. ADARA has drawn together, in its membership, those concerned with the end products of programs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing child and in so doing has served to bring out a greater awareness of the deficiencies in preparing Deaf and Hard of Hearing children for successful achievement as adults.
In the evolutional process of its development, ADARA has undertaken some self-examination of its place in the continuum of services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. There seems to be an increasing recognition that possible changes might be in order to better facilitate the kind of coordinated effort that will most successfully meet the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. One heard discussion about the need to broaden the base of membership in the organization, earlier known as PRWAD, to more accurately reflect the variables that have influence on the welfare of the adult Deaf and hard of Hearing person.
It is the intent of this brochure to offer some rationale for the establishment of local ADARA chapters, to offer some rationale for the establishment of the local ADARA chapters, to suggest ways that such chapters might be organized, and to consider some problem areas that might be encountered in the formation of a successful local chapter.TOP
Rationale for Local Chapters
The rationale to be considered here should not be viewed as an all-inclusive list of reasons to support the concept of local chapters. Neither should the order of the rationale offered be construed as a ranking of importance. These are offered only to stimulate some thought regarding the feasibility and value of local chapters, and include the following ideas:
To more effectively meet local needs. This offers the recognition that states may have unique priorities which can better be identified and met through the activities of a local chapter.
To foster support for the national organization of ADARA. The recent cutbacks of federal support have had an effect on ADARA. It makes it more essential that the national ADARA have a broad base of membership support in order to carry out its program effort. This membership growth can be much enhanced by the establishment of local chapters.
To provide a structure for action on the local level. Local chapters have the potential of an organizational channel whereby program efforts can be developed.
To provide the national ADARA feedback on local needs. Again, local chapters could provide the channel to keep the national office closely in tune with the activities taking place on the local level as well as an ongoing identification of local needs.
To provide greater visibility for ADARA and needs in the field of deafness. A local chapter, with good leadership and an active program, will increase public awareness of the needs of the adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons and will foster a better appreciation of the contribution of the national ADARA.
To unite and coordinate the various groups concerned with deafness. Local chapters may be in a more advantageous position to bring together the various interest groups such as parents, Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults, and professionals in order to foster a greater cooperative effort to achieve desired goals for improving service to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons.
Methods for Organizing Local Chapters
It is important to remember that it is easier to organize motivated people than it is to organize and try to motivate interest. National ADARA was organized out of the Casework Standards Conference in St. Louis after a group of people with common interest was pulled together. Thus, it would seem important to get various groups interested in Deaf persons together and exchanging views. Out of such a meeting will come a greater awareness of their common interest and it then becomes easier to pull them tighter organizationally.
It would seem logical that formation of a local chapter would begin with the existing ADARA members within the state. From this nucleus group, the local chapter can then expand its membership through an intensive membership effort. In some states, however, ADARA membership is exceedingly small and in such instances it may be that membership recruitment needs to become part of the organizational effort to establish a chapter. In such instance, it is advisable to groundwork for organizing support. Deaf leadership, parent group leaders, key professional persons, agency directors, etc., can be critical in lending support and encouraging the development of a local chapter.
It is desirable for the local chapter to have as much visibility as possible in the early stages. It may be effective to tie the organizational effort in with already established organizations. Participation in established annual conventions permits the gathering of sizable numbers of persons who can then be invited to participate in the organizational effort of the local chapter. This offers immediate visibility and can get the local chapter well established while enthusiasm is high.
It is well to remember that the ongoing success of a local chapter will be dependent on an active and steady membership effort. The goals of the local chapter will need to be kept constantly before potential members. Membership solicitation is demanding work requiring constant attention, but is critical to the success of any organization.
Finally it is recommended that organizational efforts for local chapters should draw upon the support and counsel of the national ADARA office and Board. The national office and Board of ADARA can be very helpful in provision of materials, information, and suggestions for speakers, etc., to help the local chapter through its formative stages.
Some Barriers and Boosters to Successfully Starting a Chapter
Many organizations exist already. People are somewhat guarded about joining another organization. Therefore, it will be essential to make a strong case for what ADARA can offer that is not presently available. In my view, one of the chief advantages can be the coordinating of varied interest groups in deafness for common purposes.
Early in the formation of a local chapter it is critical to establish a common goal around which the membership can rally. It is not enough to organize just to talk together. Members will want to have a sense of purpose, of accomplishment. Therefore, a viable local project can serve to bring the group into united effort for common cause and will help to get the chapter solidly established.
Every effort should be made to focus on initial projects that have common appeal to the broad interests represented in your membership. The local chapter must be action-oriented. Parents, in particular, are weary of talking about their frustration. They wan to do something to change things. If the initial project efforts are too narrow in scope or too unreachable because of the complexity, apathy will soon set in and the local chapter will flounder.
There are serious challenges in organizing various interest groups under one organization. If the local chapter seeks to mix lay persons (the adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, parents) with professionals (rehabilitation counselors, educators, audiologists, etc.), it must strive even harder for common purpose. The potential for conflict exists in this mix. The consumers of service (adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, parents) can raise issues which may put the providers of service (professionals) on the defensive or at least create discomfort and harmony. By the same token, professionals may err in the direction of dominating the local chapter and thereby lose the support and contribution of the lay persons. This mix can be very healthy and productive, but the potential for conflict should not be overlooked.
Thus, the most important principle is to focus, as much as possible, on common goals which will not constitute a divisive threat to group membership. Once the chapter is solidly established as a working unit, it can then begin to take on more controversial issues.
Conclusion
This brochure has attempted to make a case for the value of establishing local chapters as a further extension of ADARA. Time limitations prevent treatment of the subject in full depth, but it is felt that sufficient ideas have been introduced to provide a basis for possible consideration by various states as to the feasibility of beginning such a local chapter.
