National Association of the Deaf

The 2nd Annual NAD Leadership Training Conference will be held October 29-November 1, 2009 at the Hyatt at Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio. The theme of this year’s conference is Conquering Challenges: Leadership Beyond Barriers.

The NAD is committed to expanding the pool of deaf and hard of hearing leaders nationwide through the provision of annual leadership training conferences that are open to interested and motivated individuals. NAD Leadership Training Conferences are built upon a foundation of prior conferences that were originally targeted to those in or aspiring to positions of leadership in state associations.

The goal of this year’s conference is to address leadership challenges and opportunities that deaf and hard of hearing individuals face within rapidly changing nonprofit, educational, governmental, and corporate environments.

Quotations from NLTC ’08 participants:

“There was a wide range of speakers and presenters on different topics that I saw fit everyone’s needs, without a doubt in my mind.”

“I liked the energy and attitude of people at the conference, ready to embrace change, because that’s what the goal of the conference was, to come together and move forward.”

“A lot of folks from around the country really enjoyed the conference. Most of the older folks I’ve spoken with said that the conference was different from most. They saw that there was a new generation of leaders during the training, where everyone worked together to support one another…there was so much teamwork.”

The success of this year's conference is made possible through the generous support of Communication Service for the Deaf, CSDVRS (The Z), Gallaudet University, National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT, Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association, Purple Communications, Snap!VRS, Sorenson Communications, and TracFone Wireless.

Conference training areas focus on promoting diversity and sharing of diverse viewpoints, characteristics of successful leaders, proactive change leadership, coalition building and teamwork, accountable leaders, communicating effectively, conducting leadership search efforts, running healthy meetings, conflict resolution, and harnessing the power of social media. Facilitators for these training areas are: Mark Apodaca, Shane Feldman, Shilpa Hanumantha, Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, James Macfadden, Deborah Mayer, William McGee, Elizabeth Pollard, Julie Rems-Smario, Howard Rosenblum, and Darlene Goncz Zangara.

Regional and affiliate caucuses will also be held during the conference, to enable state association and affiliate representatives to confer on matters of importance within their respective areas. Resources support on youth leadership will also available during the conference, after which time the NAD Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting (observers are welcome to watch the board in action).

Registration is $150 for NAD members and $190 for non-members (membership is included), which includes plenary and breakout sessions; conference packet with PowerPoint files on DVD; opening/dessert reception; two luncheons; networking breaks with refreshments; and a closing/dessert reception. Hotel guest room rates have been negotiated at the Hyatt on Capitol Square where all activities will take place: $82/single plus tax; $107/double plus tax.

The entire conference will be conducted in American Sign Language (ASL). Interested persons who wish to register, request accommodations, and make their hotel reservations must do so before the October 2, 2009 deadline.

Learn more (click links on right-hand side) about the NLTC ’09 program/schedule.