What’s “New at NAMI NH” Newsletter
January 2008
News to distribute and share with your groups and classes
Please share these updates with your support group and classes.
Upcoming Events-
Support Group Facilitator Training- Note date change
May 3, 10 and 17th. We only had several people signed up for the training so we have rescheduled it for May in hopes we can recruit more participants. It will be taught on 3 Saturdays instead of 4.
Please contact me ( ASAP) with names of people that you feel would be appropriate for leadership. The training will be held in Concord, mileage reimbursement and childcare reimbursement are available.
Mardi Gras in Portsmouth! February 1, 2008
An evening of music, food, fun, and dancing at the Sheraton Harborside Ballroom!
6PM- Appetizers, the Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band and the Silent Auction
7PM to 9PM the Mark Five + 1 will entertain us
7:30 Dinner and dessert
9PM we will dance the night away to The Seacoast Big Band!
Masks and decorations will bring the Mardi Gras to life in Portsmouth!
Go to www.NAMINH.org and click on the Mardi Gras link for more details.
View and bid on the online auction items by clicking on the ‘On line Auction” link
Affiliate input for marketing NAMI NH-
- Do providers refer families to NAMI NH support groups?
- Do providers know about NAMI NH support and education for families?
- How can we reach more families in need of education and support?
- How can we provide the outreach to families that we do know need support?
These are just some of the questions that we hope to answer as part of our Membership Grant project. Affiliate members and teachers offered great insight to these questions at the Fall Affiliate/Teacher meeting. A follow up meeting was held Oct. 17th to continue formulating plans that will help engage and support families in need. The next step is developing the marketing piece to distribute to providers and to reach out to families. Follow up meeting Thursday Feb 21 5:30-7:30- We will provide Dinner!!
Please RSVP to Annette by Tuesday Feb 19
Family to Family –
Spring Classes will be taught in Manchester, Concord and Peterborough
Peterborough- Wednesday evenings 6:00-8:30 at the Monadnock Community Hospital starting March 5th. To register contact Pat Whitney at 763-5054 or Patricia.whitney@crotchedmountain.org or Rebecca Lawrence at 563-9946 or email to sunnybrookfarm@mac.com.
Concord - Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:00pm at the NAMI NH office, 15 Green St., Concord starting March 4th . To register contact Pat Nelson at 228-1160 or email patknelson@yahoo.com.
Manchester/Bedford- Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:00 starting March 4th. To register contact Valerie Acres at 228-2370 ext. 2 - office 736-8177 - home Email: valerie@metrocast.net
Parents Meeting the Challenge-
Spring Classes will be taught in Manchester, Raymond and Lebanon.
For more information contact Claudia Ferber at cferber@naminh.org or call the office at 225.5359
What's New?
Life Interrupted presentations-
Following January training we will launch the new Life Interrupted Family Speakers Bureau. We would like to provide the newly trained speakers with opportunities to share their stories. If there is a group or organization in your community that we can present to, please forward your suggestion with a contact name to Annette
IOOV- In Our Own Voice
With the funding through the new state contract NAMI NH is again able to offer “In Our Own Voice” presentations to NAMI NH support groups. There will no longer be a fee involved. If your group is interested in more information or wants to schedule a presentation please contact Ken Braiterman at Kbraiterman@naminh.org or through the NAMI NH office at 225-5359.
Membership-
I hear lots of questions around NAMI NH membership, here are several facts:
- NAMI NH memberships are for 1 year
- $25.00 per person( not per family) for a family membership
- $3.00 for an open door membership for people (anyone) with limited means.
- Support Group leaders and Educational program teachers are required to be current NAMI NH members.
How do I know when to renew?
If you have joined within the last 2 years you should have received a membership card after joining or renewing. There is a date stamped on the bottom of the membership card. This is your renewal date.
Does NAMI NH send out renewal notices?
Yes, however, we are looking at making changes to the current system. Many members have been concerned that they do not receive a renewal notice.
I don’t have a membership card and have not seen a renewal notice, how do I determine my membership status?
Please call the NAMI NH office at 225-5359 or 1-800-242-6264 and ask to check on your membership status, your membership is very important to NAMI NH.
Our support group would like to encourage NAMI NH membership, can I get a listing of our group member’s membership status?
Yes, please provide me with a list of your groups members and we can check to see who is current and who is expired.
Why is membership so important?
- NAMI NH is a grassroots membership organization, memberships are essential.
- The number of current members is an important factor in the strength of our advocacy efforts.
- Membership dues support the important work that NAMI NH does.
- Affiliates are not recognized by NAMI National unless there is a minimum of 5 current members.
And Again…
If you would prefer not to receive this email newsletter, please email me to be removed from the distribution list.
Please contact me with questions, needs, and news of your groups and classes at acarbonneau@naminh.org or 1-800-242-6264 ext 25.
