A Message from SAR President

Click here for letter about SAR's Award Dinner

Dear SAR community:

As we head into spring, I have deemed it appropriate to update you on recent developments in our organization. It has now been two years since I joined the board of directors, and I am proud to say that we have a united, focused, intelligent, educated, and creative board who is governing our association. I truly enjoy presiding over this outstanding organization. We have important work to do, and by installing a fresh, eager, and innovative board of directors, I believe we are now equipped with the resources to fulfill our mission. Our annual membership meeting took place on February 25, 2008, and the officers were officially elected to their positions. You can view their biographies here on the website in the about us section.

On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, we held our first conservatorship seminar of the year. This event was well-received, and those in attendance were presented with a wealth of information that clearly outlines the process for securing conservatorship and for obtaining knowledge about future financial planning for persons with mental retardation. SAR will hold a similar seminar on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Laurel Ruff Learning Center at 6:00 P.M. Please look for the flyer online outlining the details of this very important and informative learning opportunity.

Finally, there are a few other items of business I would like to share. Carrol Kuzma and Diane Avampato, both parents of children with mental retardation have graciously accepted a position on the board effective March 31, 2008. According to our mission statement and in compliance with our by-laws, our organization typically consists of a majority of parents of individuals with mental retardation. At this time, our board is made up of seventy-five percent of those with relatives who have various degrees of mental retardation. Please look for their bios on the website in the coming weeks. Our annual awards dinner has been postponed until October 23, 2008 to coincide with disability awareness month. I have placed a copy of the letter I sent out explaining the details of that decision here on the website.

The board at SAR wishes to providing funding in the form of conservatorship and equipment grants for those who lack the necessary monies for securing these services. In the past month the grants committee has approved at least ten grants at 1500.00 each for our grantees. Please use our website to download an application and submit your request to our administrative office.

We have launched our travel website (go to www.sartravel.org) that boasts rates competitive rates to longstanding travel sites. When you book on our site, SAR receives a commission that goes towards awarding grants of various types. Indeed, I have used it myself personally and I am quite satisfied with the savings I have received.

SAR is in the midst of conducting an executive director search in compliance with our bylaws. If anyone knows of a suitable candidate who is interested in applying for the position, please have him or her submit a copy of his or her resume and a cover letter to our address at 3000 T. ST. Suite 201, Sacramento, CA – ATTN: Olivia Armstead-Webb

Sincerely,

Jacob Richey
Board President, Sacramento Association for the Retarded