We are excited to bring to you a new TS Awareness program that everyone can take part in!

• Families can do projects together
• Young adults can network with each other - it's a great social outlet
• A new opportunity - we are gaining a new group of people with TS who like hands-on projects (will help to bring more men into TSA)
• We are exposing people with TS to other organizations who might be able to help them with skills-building and career opportunities
• We're helping people with TS build socialization skills by helping them meet other people (both with AND without TS)
• Volunteers will feel empowered by contributing back to their community
• It's a structured project - people will be more apt to do something if they know others will be there
• Can help to improve support group participation
• Opportunities to educate the community and deliver the message that individuals with TS are intelligent people who contribute to society 
• It will help to reduce the stigma of TS and help people realize that people with TS are not "weird"
• It will help bring attention to TS to those who are not aware of TS or have misconceptions
• Present a positive image and expose TSA and our mission to a new group of people who may eventually become a volunteer, donate, or host a fundraiser

• It will give them a renewed energy
• It will give them a sense of purpose outside of TS
• It will help them build new skills
• It will help them see what other organizations are doing
• It will inspire them to give something back to TSA

• Speakers' Bureau, presented by Rovena Schirling, National TSA Board Member, with assistance from Sandra Hollis, National TSA Board Member and Emily Stark, TSA of Texas North Dallas Support Group Leader
• Building an Education Committee for Your Chapter, presented by Kathy Giordano, TSA Education Specialist, Tricia Kardon, Executive Director of TSA Georgia, and Marilyn Trichon, Vice Chair of TSA NY-Hudson Valley
  
• Board Development and Successorship Planning, presented by Katherine Morrison, President of Morrison Non-Profit Transitions, Alexandria, VA.
  
• Field Services Committee Session, presented by Sandra Hollis and Dan Rostan, TSA Vice President of Field Services
  
• Grants and Proposals - Research & Writing 101, presented by Mark Levine, TSA Vice President of Development
  
• Fundraising - From Grassroots to Galas, presented by Sheryl Kadmon, Executive Director of TSA of Texas
  
• Basics of IEP's, 504 Plans, and Response to Intervention (RTI), presented by Sue Conners, TSA Education Specialist, and Kathy Giordano
  
• Using Technology: Leveraging Enterprise Applications and Frameworks for Non-Profits, presented by Christopher Brown, Chair of TSA Florida

We give a great deal of thanks to all of our presenters for participating in this webconference, for giving so much of their time, and for contributing to the success of the program!
 
Each session was offered twice in one day so that chapter leaders from across the country could attend during a time that was best for them.  Combining the am and pm offerings, each session averaged 27 attendees.
 
We wish to thank the agenda development group for their time and contribution towards planning such a well-rounded and relevant agenda.  Our 2009 group is Christopher Brown, TSA FL; Erin Farrar, TSA WA/OR; Tricia Kardon, TSA GA; Deb Kramlich, TSA ME/NH; Bill Peterson, TSA AZ; and Sherrie Sponseller, TSA PA.
 
We realize that webconferences can not fully replace the networking and collaborating that takes place during in-person meetings, but we do hope to continue to hone our webinar programming so that they can be more interactive and collaborative.  More people were able to participate and gain useful information, tools, and resources from the webinar series than would have been able to come to the traditional meeting in Washington, DC, so we recognize this as a valuable opportunity for us to continue to reach more and more of our chapter leadership base.
 
In addition, each session was recorded for future viewing.  As soon as we have them available, we will send out an alert to all chapter leadership.
 
We would greatly appreciate any feedback you have on webconferencing, whether you participated last week or not.  Please email Jill Zarensky to share your thoughts with us.
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• Michael gave a one and a half hour presentation at the Northwest Indiana support group meeting held at the First United Methodist Church in Chesterton.

• Hunter presented at the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans planning breakfast.

• Holly started a weekly hippotherapy program with TROT (Therapeutic Riders of Tucson). They invited her to take the hippotherapy program this semester so they could develop a specific therapy program geared toward young people who have TS.  Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse. Specially trained physical, occupational and speech therapists use this medical treatment for clients who have movement dysfunction. 
  
• Holly spoke during 6 periods at Mountain View High School, Tucson, AZ. She addressed students in Communications and Heath Care Classes.  Afterwards, two students spoke to Holly telling her they have TS but were not aware of the Association; another student had a friend with TS who was not aware of the Association.

• Michael set up a TS booth at Porter Hospital's annual "Stay Healthy Fair."  As a result, Michael was invited to speak to the Kiwanis club of Portage, IN, and a teacher from Jackson Elementary School ask him to do an in-service!

• Hunter presented the YA program to the entire staff at Ooltewah High School where Hunter and his brother attend.  We reviewed the evaluation forms and have 12 invitations to speak in individual classrooms in addition to other requests. 
  
• Hunter presented to his high school biology class and reached his first cumulative goal of presenting to 1000 people! 
  
• Hunter presented to 600 students at Red Bank Middle School in Chattanooga TN. 
  
• Hunter and his mother, Jennifer, are selling hand-crafted gratitude journals, which they are selling for $25 each.  Their goal is to raise $1,000 to be matched by Jennifer's employer.

• Jason spoke about his experiences at a local chapter meeting.

• Lainey gave a presentation to a Resource Room at her high school.

• David gave a presentation to all the teachers at his school. They were doing an in-service for the teachers and we arranged to have David do the TS peer presentation to them.  It went over very well and you could tell by the reaction of a few of the teachers, they had no idea what a person with TS goes through.

• Lee presented to 6th grade students, teachers and the Principal at John Lewis Middle School in Floral Park, NY.  Lee's presentation helped the student who requested the presentation with his social and academic life.  He also briefly participated, which seemed to help him feel more confident.

• Holly was featured in a Tucson Citizen article "Tuscon teen trots out Tourette hippotherapy program" where she spoke in first person about her experience with developing a new therapy for her TS. 
  
• Holly addressed University Medical Center Psychiatrists, at every level, from heads of departments to residents. She showed them the YA kit, used some of the cards to show them how the presentation works, and gave them the history behind the YA program. 
  
• Holly recorded for NBC affiliate KVOA Channel 4 two news spots for KVOA News for Kids that will run Nov 29-Jan 3rd between 7:25-11:30 AM to the entire city of Tucson. This opportunity presented itself as a result of Holly submitting an article for publication to the AZ statewide read newspaper, Bear Essential News for Kids. An editor asked Holly if she would be willing to record edited scripts of the story she wrote for the news spots. 
  
• Holly wrote an article which was published on page 24 of the November issue of Bear Essential News for Kids, which is a free statewide newspaper in Arizona. Its given to all the schools, libraries and bookstores in the state, free for the taking.

• Michael gave a half hour presentation to third graders plus several adults and friends at Bailly Elementary School in Chesterton.

• Brian presented to five 8th grade biology classes that were doing a unit on genetic conditions.

• Lee was one of five kids featured in the newspaper article "Do-Gooders-Long Island Youth Work to Change the World", which appeared in the Long Island section of New York's Newsday.  The article, which was about teens doing good things in the community, included the chapter number and website as a reference.

• Holly wrote an article, "TROT & the Arizona TSA Youth Ambassador Join Efforts To Help Those With Tourette Syndrome" for Strides, the Official Publication of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.  Strides is a National Publication! Holly is hopeful that a lot of professionals, parents, volunteers and others involved in Hippotherapy will contact TSA as a result for more information about TS and increase awareness in this helpful sector. 
  
• Holly participated in a Cardboard Testimony, which was done at all 3 services at her church in Tucson, AZ.  Holly shared her TS journey with many of the church staff and other church volunteers.

• Michael presented to members of the Kiwanis Club at Tate's Place in Portage, IN.  One of the attendants was the principal of a local middle school. She was very happy with the presentation, and when I told her that I do teacher in-services as well, she said she would try to arrange for one at her school.

• Hunter presented to teachers, the Assistant Principal, school counselor, school nurses, and student's parents and grandparents at Hermitage Springs Elementary School in Red Boiling Springs, TN.  Following the presentation, Hunter and Jennifer were invited back to educate the 200 students and the remaining teachers.  A student was diagnosed 6 years ago. The day of the presentation he begin telling others that he has TS! 
  
• Hunter did a presentation for the ortho techs, doctors and office staff of his Orthodontist's office in Chattanooga, TN.  Jennifer Lindberg asked Hunter's orthodontist agreed without hesitation to hold a YA presentation and volunteered to bring in lunch for everyone! 
  
• Hunter trained a new Youth Ambassador, Tanner Harris.  Tanner is 14 and lives in Chattanooga, TN.

• Jen presentation to 6th-8th grade students and faculty at Portledge Middle School in Locust Valley, NY.  Jen had presented to this youngster's elementary school and was asked to present this year at his middle school.  He stood up with Jen and helped with the presentation.  Mom of student reports that "He said that everyone clapped at the end and a girl came up to him and said 'I'm glad my locker is next to yours!'"  That statement alone says that once again the program achieved its goal by making him feel special and not different.

• Laine presented to seventh graders at the Wyandot Middle School in Clinton Twp, MI

• Holly gave the TS presentation to 7th & 8th grader students and 2 teachers today at Gridley Middle School in Tucson, AZ.  The kids asked alot of interesting questions. Afterwards one of the 7th graders told Holly "We really appreciated your coming today to share your experiences and also we will really use what you told us. I promise it won't go in one ear and out the other!"

• Hunter presented for a teacher in service for the Sequatchie County Middle School in Dunlap, TN.  Hunter and his mother were originally contacted by the mom of a sixth grader with TS+. The school was willing to have them but gave a limited time.  Hunter turned on the old YA charm and with permission of the principle the session ended after 50 minutes and a standing ovation by the teachers. The principle asked if they could can come for a full day and educate the 700 students that attend the middle school. The boy's mom thought the presentation was wonderful and the tears were flowing. Go Youth Ambassadors! 
  
• Hunter presented teachers and administrators at Griffith Elementary School in Dunlap, TN.  This presentation was requested immediately following the presentation made at the Middle School at 8 am.  The school psychologist was so pleased with the presentation that she asked Hunter and his mother to stay and speak at the elementary school. They agreed and the psychologist spoke to the principal, escorted the Lindbergs over, made copies of the fact sheet, and introduced Hunter.  
  
• Hunter observed the first solo YA presentation done by one of his new YA trainees!  It was held at the McKee Corporation Toastmasters Meeting in Collegedale, TN.  Tanner's 24 minute presentation was timed and evaluated by the Toastmasters. Afterwards, Tanner was invited to speak for a different group.  The McKee Toastmasters have offered to let us launch our next new ambassador at their club, which is a special opportunity because it is a closed club. 
  
• Hunter trained Kelsey Grant and Stephanie Grant, in Colledgedale, TN.  Kelsey, 14, and Stephanie observed Tanner's presentation to the Toastmasters. 
  
• Hunter presented to 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Sequatchie County Middle School in Dunlap, TN. 
  
• Hunter presented to the Ooltewah High School Juniors and Seniors in the Media Journalism Class, in Ooltewah, TN.  As part of a class assignment to create a PSA, four groups in the class chose to do theirs on TS.  This is despite the fact that two of the other organizations they could have chosen would have given them a monetary reward! 
  
• Hunter presented to the Ooltewah High School US Government Glass, in Ooltewah, TN.

• Michael spoke to a fifth grade class at Liberty Intermediate School in Chesterton, IN.

• Andrew presented to three classes at Coe Elementary School - 2 fifth grade, 1 third grade - in Seattle, WA.  After the second presentation, Andrew exchanged contact information with a teacher who works at Coe Elementary and is also a teacher at a nearby middle school so they could keep in touch and set up a date for him to speak at the middle school. For his third presentation, everyone had an enjoyable experience learning, which coupled well with the lessons the teachers were already teaching as part of a new curriculum on anti-bullying.

• Ayla presented to a 6th grade class at the Elm Place Middle School in Highland Park, IL.

• Holly spoke to counselors on staff in the Marana School District in Tucson, AZ.  One of the counselors (about age 55-60) said he was so glad Holly came to give them this information because he had spent his whole career as a counselor believing that Tourette's was "only a swearing disorder".  The head of the entire school district counseling department attended and has asked Holly to come back in May to give the presentation to the district-wide staff meeting on Tourette Syndrome!
  
• Holly did an all day presentation to students, teachers and a school psychologist at Mountain View High School in Tuscson, AZ, from 7 am to 3 pm, 6 class periods. She spoke to several combined classes including health, drivers ed, and communications class.
  
• Holly trained Denali Rasmussen in Tucson, AZ, for two hours to go over training material and YA experience.  Denali will be participating in the YA Leadership Training in March 2009.

• Kevin spoke to group of teachers/administrators from Madison County School District in Danielsville, GA.  Kevin was asked to speak since the school district has two kids with TS who need more support. Both students attended. The younger student who is going to be in Middle School next year stood up with Kevin, the other High School student stayed in the audience, but got up at the end.
  
• Kevin was featured in an article "Teen Teaches About Tourette Syndrome," which was the entire front page of the Living section of the Athens Banner Herald.

• Lainey did a radio interview on 88.1 FM The Escape, the school radio station in Plymouth, MI.  It was a great experience and the interview lasted 15 minutes!

• Isabella presented to the 10th grade class at Tapestry Charter High School in Buffalo, NY.

• Brent presented to a special needs class, parents from the class, and other special needs teachers at Kell High School in Marietta, GA.

• Dara was featured in a news article "Local Teen Selected to Participate in Ambassador Training" in the Plainview Old Bethpage Herald.

• Tanner trained a new Youth Ambassador, 12 year old DJ Laureigh of Red Boiling Springs, TN.

• Michael gave presentations to 6th and 7th grade classes, their teachers and the principal at Boston LaPorte Middle School in LaPorte, Indiana.
  
• Michael trained a new Youth Ambassador, 16 year old Josh Harley.

• Hunter and Tanner did a radio interview on WLCT Radio serving Cookeville, TN (metro area between Knoxville & Nashville).  The father of a YA trainee knew the on-air person, and arranged for the interview.  Afterwards, the station owner invited us to return at a later date to do a longer segment.  He also gave names of the school superintendent and a principal from a neighboring county and invited us to use his name to open the door for presentations in their schools. 
  
• Hunter and Tanner presented to K-8 grade students, teachers, central office personnel, bus drivers, police officers, a newspaper reporter, county mayor, a pastor, parents and others at various school and community presentations at Hermitage Springs School. 
  
• Hunter and Tanner presented separately to different groups throughout the day.  Tanner also began his first new Youth Ambassador training by incorporating 7th grader DJ into the presentation for 4th & 5th grades.  DJ did really well.  His father was there and wants to know when they can have their own cards.  Jennifer told them as soon as DJ is old enough they will make him an official Youth Ambassador!
   
   

Alex Parenteau, Massachusetts

• Alex and mom Liliane Larsen, along with TSA MA Chapter reps manned a booth at a resource fair put on by the Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education, at the North Quincy High School in North Quincy, MA.  Alex had his TS tri-fold, which attracted a lot of attention and reading.

• Jackie did a practice presentation to two boys she was babysitting, ages 5 and 7. 
• Jackie asked them what they learned and the older boy said he learned not to make fun of anyone just because they seem different.  A great success!

Aaron Buncher, DC-Greater Washington, DC

• Aaron was featured in a news article "Teen strives to educate others about Tourette's syndrome" in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA. 
  
• Aaron was featured in a news article "Student speaks out before Congress about tourettes" in his High School newspaper.

• Holly translated the YA Cue Cards and oral presentation from English to Spanish.  They have been submitted to the national TSA for review and approval. 
  
• Holly presented to 7th and 8th grade classes at the Gridley Middle School in Tucson, AZ. The students asked several great questions that we have never had asked of us before.  At the end, they sang a special Thank You song that they prepared.  They prepared for our presentation by watching "Front of the Class" together. 
  
• Holly presented to the Tucson Teen Toastmasters International Chapter Meeting in Tucson, AZ.  Holly is a former Teen Toastmaster so she was able to encourage the members of this chapter by showing them how they can use their acquired public speaking skills in a very practical way to help their community.
   
   

Tim Johnson, Massachusetts

• Tim was featured in a news article "Ashland teen becomes Ambassador for Tourette syndrome" in the MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, MA.

• Hunter was featured in a news article "Ooltewah High student active for Tourette's" in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

• Hunter and Tanner trained a new Youth Ambassador, 12 year old DJ Laureigh of Red Boiling Springs, TN.

• Ariel was featured in a news article "Highland Park athlete details struggles and triumphs with Tourette syndrome" in the Chicago Tribune in Chicago, IL.

• Jackie was featured in the Mansfield News and Enterprise article, "Mansfield teen trained as Tourette syndrome Youth Ambassador."
  
• Jackie presented for a group of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students that meet after school as part of Rachel's Challenge - a group that is trying to make a difference by teaching kids kindness, consideration, and respect for others. 
  
• Jackie presented to the Qualters Middle School faculty in Mansfield, MA.  Jackie received a standing ovation.  She has received so many encouraging comments from many teachers, and even received a very nice card from a teacher she never had. 
  
• Jackie presented to four eigth grade students at Qualters Middle School in Mansfield, MA. 

The 2008 Amendment "clarifies that an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active."
 
This speaks directly to issues regarding the inconsistency and the waxing and waning of symptoms of TS.  Parents may want to be prepared to discuss how specific symptoms, which their child experiences, "substantially limit a major life activity".  Documentation from a Dr., therapist, teacher or an education evaluation may be helpful.   

2008 Amendment has added "reading, bending and communicating" to the list of major life activities. 
 
This can significantly assist parents when preparing to demonstrate the specific 'Major Life Activity' that is impacting their child's life and makes the student eligible for a 504 Plan.  As an example, many students have symptoms that interfere with reading and therefore the student would be eligible for a 504 Plan under 'reading'.  Additionally, many students have difficulties verbally (vocal tics) and/or with written communication which would make them eligible for a 504 Plan under 'communicating'. 
 
The ADA Amendments Act is effective as of January 1, 2009

• September 6, 2009 - New Mexico Marathon, In Memory of Zak Hollis
  Full & Half Marathon, 5K Walk/Run 
• September 20, 2009 - Philadelphia Distance Run
  Half Marathon & Kids Race 
• October 4, 2009 - Maine (Portland) Marathon
  Full & Half Marathon 
• October 4, 2009 - Twin Cities (MN) Marathon
  Marathon, 5K, Kids Races 
• October 9, 2009 - Long Beach (CA) Marathon
  Full & Half Marathons, 5K Walk/Run, Kids Race, Bike Tours 
• October 17, 2009 - Indianapolis Marathon
  Full & Half Marathons, 5K Walk, Kids Marathon 
• October 25, 2009 - Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC)
  Marathon, 10K, Kids Run 
• Oct. 25, 2009 - Niagara Falls International Marathon
  Full & Half Marathons,10K, 5K
• November 1, 2009 - ING New York City Marathon
• November 15, 2009 - San Antonio Marathon
  Full & Half Marathon 
• Jan. 8-10, 2010 - Walt Disney World Marathon
  Goofy, Full & Half Marathons, 5K Family Walk, Kids Races 
• February 11-14, 2010 - Myrtle Beach (SC) Marathon
  Full & Half Marathons, 5K, Family Fun Run, Bike Tours 
• March 20-21, 2010 - Shamrock Marathon, Virginia Beach
  Full & Half Marathons, 8K, Kids Races 
• March 20 & 21, 2010 - ING Georgia Marathon
  Full & Half Marathon 5k Walk& Kids Run
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