Happy Spring! I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and fabulous colors of all the flowers and trees beginning to bloom! There are a lot of things going on and are mentioned below.

We were busy in January contacting and visiting our legislators. VRA was a co-sponsor for the Legislative Reception held on January 23. Prior to the reception, some of us met with our legislators to provide awareness of disability issues along with our legislative agenda for 2008. The reception was well attended by legislators and their aides. I would personally like to thank: Maggie Butler, Susan Cianfaglione, Sherman Gifford, Howard Green, Tanya Piotrowski, Ericka Umbarger, Eleanor Williams and David Williams for all their hard work and participation.

Our Education Committee has a training planned for April 10 entitled: Culturally Appropriate: Refugee and Immigration Interpreter Services and Training.

We continue our relationship with the Department of Rehabilitative Services by offering a mentoring program to new DRS employees. This is an exciting way to increase our membership and to become more involved in VRA. If you would like to learn more about this program, feel free to contact Susan Green or Jack Smith.

Planning is in full swing for our annual golf tournament! It will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at the Hunting Hawk Golf Club. This will be a great event, as it is every year. Please consider playing, getting hole sponsors or volunteering, contact Howard Green at jgreen18@aol.com if you are interested in helping out.

Remember to mark your calendar for the Collaborations Conference scheduled for: October 5-7, 2008 in Virginia Beach! Along with this, remember to think about nominating your co-workers, community partner, service providers and consumers for the VRA awards. Nominations can be sent in at any time – the sooner the better! Please contact Eleanor Williams at 804-662-7075 or Eleanor.Williams@drs.virginia.gov with your nominations.

Just as a reminder, our next Board Meeting is scheduled for July 11. Meeting location and information may be found on the VRA website. I would love to see you there!

Submitted by Amy Miller, 2008 VRA President
2008 VRA President