December Meeting Minutes

MiSAAC MEETING MINUTES

December 18, 2009


PRESENT: Gabe Gibbons, Sandy McIntyre, Pat Nizio, Wendy Owen


ITEMS DISCUSSED:

REVIEW OF PAST EVENTS AND TOPICS

Reviewed the last social event : Bowling at Plaza Lanes
Nine families attended; 7/9 AAC users came with multiple members of their families!
Plaza Lanes was very accommodating and provided us with excellent services.
Comments from the individuals using AAC and family members:
They really enjoyed the socializing and networking.
The open time frame worked well for families.
The fact that entire families could participate was appreciated.
Others also appreciated that the event didn’t revolve around food.
Families wanted to do more bowling.
Families want more social and community events!

MiSAAC Name Change
This topic has been talked about for quite a while
Many people contributed ideas for a new name, and others felt the current name was adequate.
Families and others who are not familiar with ISAAC, and the fact that we can’t be an affiliated organization led to consensus that a name change would be favorable.
The proposed name is MAAC (pronounced Mack): Michigan AAC – simple and to the point!
Will post a note on Face Book for any objections, otherwise new name change will go into effect at the end of January.


Face Book Posting for Contact Information
Gabe Gibbons reported that he completed a posting on the MiSAAC Face Book Page for people to list their contact information.


Review of MiSAAC Goals
Following the MiSAAC survey (e-mailed and posted on the Face Book Page) and discussions, the following goals were adopted:

1. Develop and implement help and supports for those who use AAC and their families, parents and caregivers, etc.
2. Improve informational, community and social supports for all augmentative and alternative communication users across the lifespan.
3. Create and maintain social networks for augmentative and alternative communication users of all ages, as well as for family members and caregivers.
4. Develop resources and an information network for those who use AAC, families, caregivers, professionals across disciplines, and university students in training programs.
5. Strengthen an augmentative and alternative communication presence throughout all of Michigan.


NEW DISCUSSION TOPICS

Planning is underway for the next social event:
Save the Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Novi Center, exact time to be determined.
Open to all AAC users, their families, friends, etc.
Celebrate Music of the World: Capoeira Demonstration
Capoeira is a Brazilian art form which combines music, dance and non-contact martial arts. This will give all who attend opportunities to hear the music, see demonstrations, and talk/interact with the performers, as well as to socialize and have an enjoyable time. More information to follow.
If you want to help with the specific planning of this event, please email Pat at pnizio@dmc.org
Look for an e-mail describing this event soon!

We also talked about combining this with an opportunity for older AAC users who are trying to develop their own businesses selling their own art, products or crafts. Discussed trying out a simple art show where they can display, advertise, sell products before, during or after the Feb 6 event.

Tentative format for meetings:
We talked about setting a format for each meeting:
Review past/recent items or events and previous meeting’s minutes
New business and topics to be discussed
Announcements from those in attendance, or announcements/information sharing sent in from those unable to attend
Room to discuss topics of interest related to AAC use; topics to be set at previous meetings
Tasks to be completed for next meeting

Meeting Schedule
To help people in planning for future meetings, we will set times/dates for three consecutive meetings. To try to accommodate schedules, we will alternate days, times and locations

Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Novi Center
(42005 W 12 Mile Road, Novi, 48377) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Bring your lunch if you would like! Sorry this is short notice, but we will also use it as an opportunity to talk about plans for the Feb 6 Capoeira Event

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Oakland Schools 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Exact location to be determined

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. Location to be determined

Anyone who would like to host a meeting, please let us know (email me at pnizio@dmc.org). We already have had invitations from the Port Huron and Battle Creek area.



TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING
Now that we have initial group goals, let’s talk about mission and vision statements

Planning for Feb 6 social event

Gabe to explore Gmail address for our group as one possibility for RSVPs, etc.





Pat Nizio
December 26, 2009