Editor
Pat Munzer, MS, RRT
Topeka, KS
(785) 231-1027

House of Delegates Officers
Thomas Striplin, MEd, RRT, RPFT/Speaker
Mt. Savage, MD 21545
(301) 784-5523 Fax (301) 784-5015

Claude Dockter, RRT/Speaker-elect
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 530-4006 Fax (701) 530-4001

Denise Johnson, RRT/Secretary
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 220-6812 Fax (651) 220-6778

Tony Rodela, RRT/Treasurer
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 704-3145

LaDawn L. Reynolds, BA, RRT/Past Speaker
Versailles, KY 40383
(859) 879-6116 Fax (859) 257-2402

Editor’s Note

Pat Munzer, MS, RRT

I spent the past couple of days at a leadership workshop that was required by my place of employment. It was great, and I got a lot of wonderful and useful information. There were several critical skills identified that any leader should possess. One of interest to all of us was communication, which at times is probably the biggest barrier to getting things done. Other concepts regarding best practices for effective leadership, identified by Kouzes and Posner, were honesty, forward- looking (concern for the future), competence, and inspirational.

As delegates, and leaders, it is our responsibility to represent the membership of our affiliates. Utilizing effective communication, being honest, forward looking, competent, and inspiring can only make us as an association and our affiliates that much stronger. [Top]

HOD Speaker - Report

Tom Striplin, RRT

I am looking forward to working with everyone in the upcoming year. I have set a busy agenda for the House of Delegates and myself. It is my hope that by increasing networking opportunities between key personnel, it will improve communication between the three bodies. I have been working with the executive office, the president, and president-elect to establish monthly or bi-monthly communication between the three bodies. One of my goals is to keep everyone current on any issues that may arise in between House of Delegate meetings. I believe strongly that if the speaker, the executive director and the president/president-elect can talk on a regular basis, we will achieve a communication chain that should not break down. I have established an Ad Hoc Committee on Home Care Recognition. The intent of the committee is to help increase recognition of HB 2905 and assist in getting a similar Bill sponsored in the US Senate. I believe this committee will be an asset to the profession. The grass roots work it does in the House of Delegates will augment the importance of this legislative act. I am also working with the executive office to increase accessibility to House of Delegate documents via the AARC web site.

I feel very fortunate to have such an excellent team of House officers and committee chairs/committees. The House officers will attend the AARC Board of Directors meeting in mid- March. The past speaker plans to address the House with a summary of the board activities. As your speaker, I will do my best to see that pertinent information is conveyed to the House of Delegates in a timely manner.

The affiliate contracts are still a concern for many states, and quite a few states will be seeking additional legal review. I believe that we will be able to move past this issue and focus our combined energies on moving the profession forward. The contract lengths are 1 year at a time. Every affiliate has the right to re-evaluate the merits of the contract on a yearly basis and opt in or out depending on what they feel is best for them. I personally feel that the Board of Directors will not pursue avenues that would be detrimental to the profession. As speaker, I will do everything I can to prevent that from happening. There is no question that a communication breakdown occurred with the contract. However, each affiliate must now evaluate whether the spirit of the contract is good or prohibitive to them. Each affiliate has the opportunity to negotiate a unique contract that satisfies the AARC and the affiliate. It is my hope that we will be able to do this and move forward with a profit sharing model that benefits both the AARC and its affiliates.

It is my hope that you all have a safe and prosperous year. I look forward to seeing everyone in Vail this summer. Just remember, Debbie Fox has been designated the ex-officio chair of "festivities". Please lend her a hand in coordinating some type of gathering so that we can all network and have an informal meeting to get to know each other a little better. Please feel free to contact me any time with any concerns. [Top]

Past Speaker’s Communication

LaDawn Reynolds, BA, RRT

My, time sure has flown since our last meeting in Vegas. I want to again "Thank You" all for your support during my term as Speaker. Now it’s time for me to focus on my activities as Past Speaker.

As you all know, the Past Speaker is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors as well as a link between the House and the Board. Until this past meeting, the Past Speaker jumped between both meetings that did not allow them to get the full picture in either group. That is why the House Officers wanted to try something different in Vegas and we had Ruth spend her time with the Board in order to provide the House with a more detailed report of Board activities at the end of our meeting. The drawback was Ruth not knowing the history of our discussions on our resolutions. The Secretary was the person to present these to the Board as she is a member of the committee and presenter of the resolutions to the House body. All of this seemed to work well for everyone. I want to add that Ruth did a tremendous job in keeping the HOD up to date. I’m sorry I didn’t think faster in Vegas, but I wanted to let Ruth know her apology to the House was totally unnecessary, as things could have been handled differently concerning the contract issue in a lot of ways.

For 2004 you can expect to see very little of me as I’ll be spending most of my time in the Board meeting. Hopefully I’ll provide you with the information you are seeking at the end of the HOD meeting. What I’m looking to pass on will include committee and organizational activities approved by the Board that will affect the membership as well as the Board's actions on the House resolutions. I will also be reporting on resolutions that have been referred and reported on to the Board.

I plan on giving verbal reports at the end of House meeting and doing email updates between meetings with anything else going into Record articles. If there is something you feel I’m overlooking or a particular report of interest, please make sure you bring it to my attention and I’ll see what I can find out. If you don’t give me specific questions I can’t get you answers.

There are a couple of things you need to remember concerning the House and Board relationship. Even though the House officers are on the BOD list, we are only observers and if we feel an issue needs to be communicated to the House or membership, we need to seek approval from the BOD. Also, the only Board meeting attended by all House officers is the March meeting in Dallas. So, most of their knowledge of Board activities is dependent on discussion on the Board list and through the Past Speaker's communiqués and reports at the House meeting.

It looks as though I’ll have a lot of work this year trying to keep everyone current on AARC activities. The next meeting is March 19-20 in Dallas and I’ll put something out on the House list serve as the next Record won’t be out until after our June meeting in Vail. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. [Top]

Out Of The Frying Pan and Into The Fire

Claude Dockter, RRT
Speaker-Elect

Life can sure get interesting in the blink of an eye. One minute you are in a meeting listening to a report drone on and on. Next you find yourself being asked a question regarding the report as it relates to you and your area of responsibility. You are BUSTED! You are embarrassed. All eyes are upon you and awaiting a response. You have allowed yourself to take your listening skills for granted. What will you do?

The AARC House of Delegates gives us the opportunity to put our listening skills to good use. Gathering information through reports, asking for clarification, making recommendations to enact change based on those reports; these activities are what it is all about. Being an active listener takes practice. In the event you miss a point in a report don’t allow yourself to stay silent. Stand up and ask for clarification, that is what good listeners do.

Communication is the root of all misunderstandings. I am stating the obvious because we all need to be reminded it takes two to communicate (a listener and a speaker). What we forget is that mutual understanding assures we have good communication. Even those who are the most disciplined listener get caught in the scenario above. I challenge us all to improve our communication skills, do your best to be an active listener. We cannot be afraid to stand up and ask a question to seek clarification. We cannot be afraid to stand up and disagree. And we cannot allow ourselves to walk out of a meeting thinking …. "Why didn’t I……?"

I look forward to meeting your expectations in the next three years. I hope I am able to assist you in communicating your ideas to the AARC Board of Directors. I will do my best to be an active listener and good communicator. But please remember it will take a team effort (speaker and listener) to assure good communication occurs.

Please don’t take this as a sermon. I wrote this more for myself as reminder of the responsibility leaders have. My organization has picked Respect as our highlighted value for 2004. Yesterday at our department meeting we were asked to jot down on a piece paper how we can show respect. I wrote, " Listen". My goal over the next three years is to show you the greatest amount of respect as possible. [Top]

HOD Secretary

Denise Johnson, RRT, BS

I want to begin by thanking all of you in the House for the support you gave me in my first term as Secretary. I appreciate the re-election and look forward to working with you again this year.

We had another productive and interesting meeting in Vegas. I am once again in awe of the talent of the House of Delegates and how we tackle even the toughest issues with professionalism and respect.

As a reminder, some changes this year will be evident in the resolutions process. A recommendation came before the House last year to adjust House rules regarding the chairperson of the Resolutions Committee. It was determined that the chair should be a House member who has previously been a member of the Resolutions Committee, thereby having experience with the resolutions process. In the past it was the Secretary’s role to be the chair, but now I will serve as a member and advisor to the chair. Laura Lucas is the chair this year and we have already begun our work together. Resolution submissions have already been requested, so please begin to formulate with your state affiliates and your fellow delegations any topics you would like to bring forward in Vail. As I have said before, this is the meat and potatoes of the business of the House of Delegates.

I am excited about the year ahead. I have the privilege of working with a committed, top-notch group of House officers. We will be attending the AARC BOD meeting in Dallas next month. My promise to you is to listen, learn and communicate the information back to you, members of the House. I am anxious to see you in Vail! Thanks once again for this wonderful opportunity! [Top]

On Networking and Social Bonding
Report from the "Ad Hoc Social Committee"

Co-Chairs: Debbie Fox, MBA, RRT (KS), Debbie Lierl, MEd, RRT, FAARC (OH)

We have had discussion on the HOD list serve about the importance of networking with our fellow Delegates. All of us agree that the time needed to informally discuss issues, to network with each other, or maybe just learn everyone’s name has been reduced. As a result we have experienced some problems with welcoming new Delegates, with communicating on key issues and resolutions and with filling all the HOD officer nomination slots. A couple of things may have contributed to this.

First, the House changed to a two-day format, leaving us feeling rushed to complete floor discussions so we can hurry on to other business. Our House meetings begin early and end late, with just brief pauses for breaks and lunch.

Secondly, in the past we have had informal social gatherings in the evenings, sponsored by either vendor support or by the hosting state affiliate. During the past few meetings we have not had a social function that has hampered our group’s informal networking and the all-important social bonding. So, while we consider changing to a 3-day meeting format, a good temporary solution is to plan an evening social.

During open mike and list serve discussion, everyone seemed agreeable to paying a small amount to help cover the cost of such a function. Due to the rule of "make-the-suggestion, do-the-time" I have been officially volunteered to organize and plan the event and Debbie Lierl has generously agreed to help. We will be exploring options of a low cost dinner or reception with cash bar during our summer meeting in Vail. If anyone has any suggestions or would like to help with the planning, please let us know. [Top]

The Need for Continuous Quality/
Improvement in Communication

Ray Sibberson, RRT
Delegate, Ohio Society

As many other members of the House of Delegates, I agonized over the "contract" we were handed by the AARC Executive Office. We were supposed to be in the know about this, yet we found out about it after our President did. Actually we only received a copy after our President sent it to us.

Communication (or lack thereof) has been a critical issue in the entire debate. We were given information saying it was to be signed by December 31, 2003, or we wouldn’t be receiving revenue sharing in 2004. Then we got a letter saying it was really intended to be effective December 31, 2004, but we should just sign it anyway.

The contract was worded so poorly, and had so many holes, that there is no way our society could even agree on it, much less sign it. We didn’t know what was intended by most of the language. We didn’t even know the reason we were being asked to sign this document so quickly.

Some societies had attorneys review their copies of the "contract", but many hadn’t even had a chance to show it to their boards and discuss it prior to the HOD meeting in Las Vegas.

As a result of the way this document was handled by the AARC Executive Office, we wasted most of our HOD meeting in Las Vegas talking about the "contract". Many delegates were angry, and others were just confused. I could not find one person that said they really liked the "contract" and the way it was handled.

Following our lengthy discussion in the HOD meeting, the delegates were told by the AARC Executive Office to send what changes we’d like and they’ll send out another copy of the "contract". Here’s my beef: if they would have simply said "this is a working draft, help us make it better", I believe everyone would have embraced the idea. We could have been where we are now, but everyone would have been working together towards a common goal, not angry and disgusted. And more importantly, we wouldn’t have spent about 500 man-hours in Las Vegas in confrontation and confusion. The Las Vegas meeting was one of the least productive HOD meetings that I have attended. I have in the past felt like I was accomplishing something for the AARC. That was not true this time.

So as not to use the "contract" as the only communication issue, I’d like to offer another example. The HOD discussed at length over a couple HOD meetings a proposal to formulate a single-entry practitioner. However, the result of the disposition of that proposal was not relayed back to the House. It was not until President Shelledy was asked about it following his report to the House that we learned it was voted down by the Board. This is not exactly conducive to a favorable working relationship. It actually seemed like this was being slipped past the House, in hopes that we wouldn’t find out about it.

These two examples of poor communication have left me with a sour taste for how the HOD, the Board, and the AARC Executive Office operate. I have been in the House before, and I know how the House and the AARC can work together, and how rewarding it is for everyone when this occurs. I want to see the AARC and the House of Delegates return to a body where we mutually are working for the same goals. This can only be done through respect and good communication. [Top]

Nick Dupree: An Update

Fred Hill, MA, RRT
Delegate, Alabama Society

Awakened

Awakened from an odd sleep
I see
hopping green lines
go flat,
alarms rattle

a blue-gray hospital room
and nameless nurses scurry,
blur hazy,
a flurry of white movement.

I zoom out,
float above it all,
look down on myself.

chaos is unplugged
life’s tethers snipped,
cold, eerie silence absolute,
not even breathing heard.

dead quiet covers all as
movement flashes at bedside.
examining the lifeless body,
calmly wrong,
I want to go back.

whip down
view flashes to ceiling.

memory of death
fades
like any moment
but left me,
an impatience for life
that rarely wanes.

Written October 3, 2003
Nick Dupree

Several years ago, I publicized the plight of Nick Dupree to the House of Delegates. Nick was nineteen years old and had been totally ventilator-dependent for approximately ten years. Nick lives in a household with his mother, a ventilator-dependent brother named Jamie, and his grandmother. The problem that was facing Nick several years ago was loss of financial support for his nursing care. Part-time nursing coverage was provided through a waiver program in the Alabama Medicaid Program. The catch was that provisions for nursing care under this plan were intended for children. Nick would lose this benefit when he became twenty-one years old.

At the time, Nick was also enrolled as a part-time student at Springhill College. Through his studies, he had become informed about the political processes in our country. He launched a bold plan to find a solution to this problem. He created a website. He launched a letter writing campaign. He created an online site for a petition to pass legislation at the federal level. He found an advocate in Senator George Callahan, a legislator in the Alabama Senate from Theodore, Alabama.

Nick’s efforts drew national attention and he garnered support from many areas. However, despite his efforts and widespread support, as Nick’s twenty-first birthday approached, things began to fall apart. Senator Callahan lost his bid for re-election. Alabama Medicaid, already under funded, was facing a number of problems, and they vigorously opposed the creation of any new programs. Nick felt boxed in and seemed to be running out of ideas about how to proceed.

Fortunately, Nick had found other advocates including attorneys in Montgomery, Alabama. Through these sources a lawsuit was developed in which Nick sued the governor of the state of Alabama and officials of Alabama Medicaid. Alabama Medicaid responded by rushing through a federal waiver program which would extend benefits beyond the age of twenty-one. This new benefit was unveiled on February 10, 2003, the day before Nick arrived to begin his case in a Montgomery federal courthouse. This new waiver program went into effect the day before Nick turned twenty-one.

This was a tremendous victory and it was widely celebrated. The mayor of Mobile proclaimed February 23, 2003 (Nick’s birthday) as "Nicholas Folk Dupree Day" in Mobile. Nick celebrated his birthday with a local advocacy group that included many officials, including former Alabama Senator George Callahan.

Not content to sit back on his laurels, Nick has continued to move forward with his efforts of advocacy. He has intensified his efforts to complete his college degree and has enrolled for as many as twelve credit hours in a single semester. He has dabbled in journalism by writing editorials for his college newspaper. He recently completed a class in poetry and compiled his poetry into a book entitled "In a Bizarre World." Nick has received widespread recognition for his efforts. He received the "2003 Advocacy Award" for the best self-advocate in the country. This award came from the National Association of Protection and Advocacy System (NAPAS). Nick traveled to Washington, DC to receive the award and deliver an acceptance speech.

He also opened the Alabama Disability Summit at Martin Luther King’s church in Montgomery, Alabama, August 14, 2003. In December, he was one of the keynote speakers at the 2003 TASH conference (TASH - The Association for the Severely Handicapped) in Chicago where he addressed an audience of approximately 2,000 attendees.

As Nick moves closer to receiving his bachelor’s degree, he talks of his intentions of pursuing a master’s degree. He wants to be an advocate for changes in health policy. Nick believes in universal coverage for health care. He and I share a concern that a country, as strong and as rich as ours, fails to provide access to decent health care for a significant portion of its citizenry.

As Nick relates his plans and ambitions with ventilator-assisted breaths, I am continually awed by his accomplishments and his intentions. Nick has always expressed that his efforts are not just about himself. He is concerned about all who face hardship and suffering due to the wide gaps in our health care policy. He confides that everything he does takes a great deal of effort. He can’t do it alone. He needs lots of help, but at the same time, Nick wishes to help others.

Recently, a local respiratory therapist, Susan Girardeau, contacted Nick by email. A twelve-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy would require a mechanical ventilator to continue living. Susan thought that Nick could visit the boy, who was naturally despondent, to provide encouragement. Nick, of course, did.

Nick regards respiratory therapists as important to his survival and well-being. Nick is well known and respected within the respiratory therapy community of Mobile. I have had an extended relationship with Nick and his family for about seventeen years. I hope you appreciate this story about a courageous and ambitious young man.

If I ever feel overwhelmed about circumstances in my own life, I reflect upon Nick and recall the many challenges he faces just to get his day started. I think about what he has accomplished. I think about his ambitions. Somehow, any adversity I face in my own life becomes bearable.

Nick expresses his appreciation to all members of the House of Delegates who signed the online petition and otherwise expressed support for his campaign for survival "in a bizarre world." [Top]

Effectiveness Survey

Debbie Fox, MBA, RRT
Chair, Progress & Transition Committee

The results of the effectiveness survey conducted at the Las Vegas HOD meeting, December 6-7, 2003 are listed below. Delegates returned seventy-three surveys at the meeting. The average ranking for each statement and other comments received are listed below. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out and return the surveys. Special thanks to Doug McQueary for tabulating the survey results.

4-Strongly Agree
3-Somewhat Agree
2-Somewhat Disagree
1-Strongly Disagree

1. The AARC House of Delegates is an appropriate forum for comprehensive reporting of AARC activities. 3.6
2. The leadership of the House of Delegates consistently attempts to promote involvement of the chartered affiliates. 3.6
3. Communication between the AARC HOD and BOD is generally effective and continues to improve. 2.4
4. The resolution process is an effective means of promoting changes within the AARC. 2.9
5. The "Open Microphone" session provides an effective means of introducing new ideas and fostering cohesiveness. 3.5
6. The resolution process allows for timely input into AARC strategic planning. 3.0
7. The format of the AARC HOD provides good opportunities for both formal and informal networking. 3.2
8. The HOD committee system promotes affiliate involvement in planning and impacting the direction of the HOD and the AARC. 3.3
9. The HOD is an effective means of addressing key affiliate issues through existing AARC structure. 3.2

Additional comments:_________________________________
Meeting too short when hot issues are introduced. Suggest orientation be done the afternoon before the HOD meeting, thus allowing 2 full days for meetings.
Go back to three day meeting. Post some type of BOD minutes on web, even if edited.
Need more time. Consider 3-day format.
I think there was a decrease in communication this past year between HOD and BOD.
Need a room with cash bar for HOD to get together at the end of first day. Shouldn't cost the AARC anything, but perhaps room rental and the delegates could pitch in for that.
Although I feel that communication is not a significant problem and is still favorable, I feel that during this survey period, communication channels were diminished.
Las Vegas does inhibit informal networking. Too much going on.
I think the HOD process is less effective under the two-day format vs. the three-day format we enjoyed previously.
Meeting needs to be three days.
Poor communication all around. Too much time spent on open mic. Walls and defensiveness from executive board on issues that effect state societies. Need mentors for new delegates other than their own state delegates to foster new relationships/cohesiveness. Need a timekeeper, even to guest speakers. Stick to issues at hand. Delegates are fired up on first day of meeting but by second day, participation decreases and things are hurried through.
Much of the controversy over the past few weeks and into the session of the HOD could have been avoided if the Executive Office had done a better job of communicating with the HOD and BOD. Very poorly done!
Have a happy hour get together the first night to facilitate networking.
Improve communication from the BOD to the House. Make sure the BOD is the leader, not the Executive Office.
There is growing frustration with the communication between the HOD and the BOD. The way the contract issue was handled by the Executive Office was unacceptable.
Two full days for HOD would allow more networking time and more time for House business.
The contract issue is a clear indicator that communication needs vast improvement. Would appreciate timely lunch breaks.
Have a get together on the first day after the meeting. Also willing to pay something toward that.
As a new delegate, I am looking forward to working with the BOD, HOD and AARC.
Too much material covered in too short of time. Needs to be three days.
Need better lunch set-up, perhaps sandwiches in room or something like that as we often are over and can't get into a restaurant. Also, why business attire if everyone doesn't comply?
Too short!
A little stressed for time on the first day.
Major breakdown occurred this last year. Past Speaker running back and forth is a problem, but sounds like this is solved. Informal networking is very limited.
Sometimes the time allotted is not utilized effectively. It seems to take entirely too long to make a decision on simple issues.
Resolution process is frustrating. BOD frequently dismisses important House issues without an explanation.
Communication between the Executive Office and the HOD/BOD is non-existent. I feel at this point the HOD/BOD is lost and decisions are based on what the Executive Office wants, not always what is best for the membership. We need to consider possibly a change in the Executive Office. This meeting needs to go back to three days.
Need more networking time.
Communication is a major concern. E-vote was a mess.
People were not added in a timely manner to the HOD list serve. AARC thinks they communicate by mail and through meeting reports, they do not. Networking at the HOD is difficult because the days are long and tiring, another half day might help.
Need water pitchers on the table. [Top]

Calendar of Events

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Membership Figures

(as of 2/20/04)

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