Post by MB on Aug 10, 2007 17:16:00 GMT -5
Here's what I got out of the conference:
1. Not enough, not nearly enough and may I go so far as to say cheated out of time with the Uno Massers.
2. Our Convention Committee's vision fulfilled. We wanted families to mingle and get to know each other. I saw that going on nonstop throughout the weekend.
3. We wanted everyone to feel welcome in Kansas City. I do think we accomplished that. Hundreds of people stopped to thank me (on behalf of the Down Syndrome Guild of KC) before leaving on Sunday.
4. We wanted ahhhhhh moments. The Wizard of Oz characters going up the two escalators is something I will never forget. What great squeals of delight and flashbulbs popping! It was a great moment.
5. The exhibit hall stay 'n play area is something we felt was a top priority so that families with young children could meet and connect while their children had fun. So many Dads with strollers were able to sit and visit with each other.
6. The ice cream social was added at the last minute when it was determined that 250 rooms of people were checking in on Thursday. We did not have the money or volunteers and husband made both happen at the 11th hour.
My Executive Director and I disagreed on the possible attendance at the event. She said she would be surprised if 50 people showed up. I said 350. We budgeted for 300. Five hundred people enjoyed the fountains, ice cream, soft drinks, flamingo visors, beach balls tossed into the fountains and NDSC embroidered towels.
It set a great tone for the weekend.
7. The Westin Staff agreed to attend training classes in communicating with persons with Down syndrome, possible safety issues and an overview of our vision. This has never happened before with the convention. Security met with us regarding missing persons plans.
We had three persons with Ds recovered within minutes of them being reported missing including a young child who slipped out of the room while the mother was showering. It pays to have a plan in place.
8. Three hundred volunteers came out to support the convention. They were terrific. We supported the Spanish speaking families with volunteers who were bi-lingual. Those volunteers wore neon orange shirts with all the logos in Spanish and English. They were very easy to spot when needed! All of the vounteers attended training sessions at the DSG Center.
9. A couple of you mentioned feeling safe and being in a place where you were family. I had not felt that at other conventions and absolutely felt it at this one.
10. Accepting the Parent Group of the Year Award on behalf of all the parents who built our organization over the past 23 years.
11. The Westin staff telling me that we were their all time favorite group.
I'm sure I will think of a million more moments, but my all time favorites, the ones that are bringing tears to my eyes as I type.....
Parents of babies, under the age of 12 months, talking and laughing instead of wandering aimlessly fighting back tears when confronting a teen or adult with Ds. They went home feeling that Ds may have its challenges, but it can also have its benefits.
Still looking for one good night's sleep.....
mb
1. Not enough, not nearly enough and may I go so far as to say cheated out of time with the Uno Massers.
2. Our Convention Committee's vision fulfilled. We wanted families to mingle and get to know each other. I saw that going on nonstop throughout the weekend.
3. We wanted everyone to feel welcome in Kansas City. I do think we accomplished that. Hundreds of people stopped to thank me (on behalf of the Down Syndrome Guild of KC) before leaving on Sunday.
4. We wanted ahhhhhh moments. The Wizard of Oz characters going up the two escalators is something I will never forget. What great squeals of delight and flashbulbs popping! It was a great moment.
5. The exhibit hall stay 'n play area is something we felt was a top priority so that families with young children could meet and connect while their children had fun. So many Dads with strollers were able to sit and visit with each other.
6. The ice cream social was added at the last minute when it was determined that 250 rooms of people were checking in on Thursday. We did not have the money or volunteers and husband made both happen at the 11th hour.
My Executive Director and I disagreed on the possible attendance at the event. She said she would be surprised if 50 people showed up. I said 350. We budgeted for 300. Five hundred people enjoyed the fountains, ice cream, soft drinks, flamingo visors, beach balls tossed into the fountains and NDSC embroidered towels.
It set a great tone for the weekend.
7. The Westin Staff agreed to attend training classes in communicating with persons with Down syndrome, possible safety issues and an overview of our vision. This has never happened before with the convention. Security met with us regarding missing persons plans.
We had three persons with Ds recovered within minutes of them being reported missing including a young child who slipped out of the room while the mother was showering. It pays to have a plan in place.
8. Three hundred volunteers came out to support the convention. They were terrific. We supported the Spanish speaking families with volunteers who were bi-lingual. Those volunteers wore neon orange shirts with all the logos in Spanish and English. They were very easy to spot when needed! All of the vounteers attended training sessions at the DSG Center.
9. A couple of you mentioned feeling safe and being in a place where you were family. I had not felt that at other conventions and absolutely felt it at this one.
10. Accepting the Parent Group of the Year Award on behalf of all the parents who built our organization over the past 23 years.
11. The Westin staff telling me that we were their all time favorite group.
I'm sure I will think of a million more moments, but my all time favorites, the ones that are bringing tears to my eyes as I type.....
Parents of babies, under the age of 12 months, talking and laughing instead of wandering aimlessly fighting back tears when confronting a teen or adult with Ds. They went home feeling that Ds may have its challenges, but it can also have its benefits.
Still looking for one good night's sleep.....
mb
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&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
