NAD Announces Formation of Fulton III Committee

Delegates at the 2002 National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Conference in Washington, DC passed a resolution to form a Fulton III Committee for the purpose of exploring ways to restructure the NAD as a federation, including but not limited to its board, headquarters operations, membership, and representation with an eye to long-term strategy - including ways to overhaul organizational communications, member involvement, and outreach to the public.

The original Fulton conference that was held in Fulton, Missouri in 1957 laid the groundwork for the NAD federation structure, with cooperating State Associations. Next was the "Fulton Revisited" conference in Phoenix, Arizona in 1989, which expanded the organizational structure of the NAD and explored possibilities for NAD business ventures.

The NAD Board of Directors, in the spring of 2004, appointed Steven A. Florio to serve as chair of the Fulton III Committee, with Barbara Jean "BJ" Wood as vice chair; both are long-time NAD members. Florio is executive director of the Rhode Island Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; previously he served as president of the Pennsylvania Society for Advancement of the Deaf. Wood is executive director of the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; previously she headed the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

NAD President Andrew J. Lange said, "The newly formed Fulton III Committee will embark on a far more structured, more detailed, and more intensive restructuring process, all with an 'Eye to the Future' of the NAD. With the leadership of Steven A. Florio and Barbara Jean "BJ" Wood, I am confident that the Fulton III Committee will help to generate much-needed positive and dynamic change!"

The Fulton III Committee will have six additional members, selected with attention to diversity. The names of these members will be announced during the Fulton III Overview session on Tuesday morning, July 6th at the 2004 NAD Conference in Kansas City, MO. These individuals will be responsible for chairing the six (6) Fulton III subcommittees or "clusters" which focus on Advocacy, Leadership, Membership, Outreach, Revenues, and Structure. These same cluster topics are the focus of the six (6) Forums at the 2004 NAD Conference.

The work of the Fulton III Committee starts with this year's conference, culminating in presentation of recommendations to delegates for approval at the 2006 NAD Conference in New Orleans, LA. During this two-year timeframe, the Committee will seek input, ideas, and suggestions from all who have an interest in the future of the NAD. This process will also offer several opportunities and channels for public comment.

Interested in the future of the NAD? You can start right now! Take advantage of the opportunity to begin working with the Fulton III Committee right now by becoming involved in Forums during this year's 2004 NAD Conference!