Dear Members,
NAMI-CCNS is flourishing this spring with five new talented board members, one of whom, Brenda Jordan, has sponsored Sundays at One for the last year, and whose son, Kris, co-leads the program. The four others are recent graduates of our Family to Family Program. We also have two new support groups and a new NAMI signature education program.
The Board welcomes Michael and Susan Kuhn of Waukegan, Brenda Jordan of Skokie, Teddie Cheopelas of Park Ridge, and Erika Ernquist of Evanston. Board members are elected by the membership to serve two year terms. All have a wealth of diverse talent and experience to share.
Leaving the Board after a combined eleven years of service and dedication are Agnes Byrne of Northfield, Dr. Les Appell of Wilmette, Todd Logan of Winnetka and Wendy Smith of Highland Park.
Our two new support groups include Care and Share, a monthly meeting for adult family members and consumers coping with mental illness, and NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group that is open to adult consumers regardless of diagnoses. NAMI Basics is our new six week course for parents or caregivers of children and adolescents coping with a mental illness.
We wish to extend a very special thank you to Linda Logan who is retiring as editor of Newsline after seven years. We will miss her personally researched articles, her tireless effort and vision, and all her personal contributions toward greater public awareness of mental illness.
We are currently looking for a new editor and would welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone who might be interested. Please call Barb Maier, Executive Director at 847-716-2252.
If you or someone you know wants to become involved please consider joining a committee or volunteering for a special project. There is plenty of work to do at every level especially with our 2008 benefit coming up on November 1 at Sunset Ridge Country Club. We are growing fast and we need your support to grow with us.
This spring, NAMI-CCNS, along with several other NAMI affiliates, are participating in a study conducted by a fellow NAMI Illinois member, Tosha Cantrell-Bruce. The study will examine why people join NAMI and how members determine if their affiliate is effective. As part of this study, people enrolled in NAMI-CCNS as of June 30, 2007 will be sent a survey asking questions about the benefits of joining NAMI and what criteria you may consider in determining if an affiliate is effective. The results of this survey will assist with program planning, member recruitment, and overall affiliate development. NAMI-CCNS has approved the use of this survey as part of the study. However, completion of this survey is voluntary and completely confidential. Completing this survey will not affect your membership in NAMI. Please watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for the survey.
If you are involved with NAMI in any way you are contributing to a life-changing organization and we thank you.
Lastly, we are pleased that our board has agreed to begin Board Development, a demanding process but very important as we grow in numbers, programs and services.
Respectfully yours,
Ann George and Julie Savastio
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