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    The Division on Career Development and Transition


DCDT Email Blast
NOVEMBER
 2009

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Opportunity to Host the 2011 DCDT International Conference
DCDT is soliciting letters of intent to host the
2011 DCDT International Conference.

Are you interested in showcasing your state?

Would you like to increase your DCDT State Chapter membership?

Do you want to earn some extra funding to support your DCDT State Chapter? Then this is the time!!!

Letters should include your intent to submit a full proposal to DCDT for
the conference hosting. Please include the following information in your
letter:

1.      City hosting the conference

2.      Name of 2-3 hotels and conference room rate

3.      You must include enough conference space (either in the hotel in
or in conference center) for 15 break out sessions, a grand ballroom
(for meals/keynote) and space for exhibitors.

4.      DCDT conference is typically the 2nd or 3rd week in October.

5.      Names of those on conference planning committee

Please send the letter of intent to Cindi Nixon [email protected] by  November 30, 2009.


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The 2010 Texas Transition Conference
The Texas Transition Conference (TTC) is an annual three-day conference that equips individuals with transition information in the hopes of improving outcomes for postsecondary opportunities for youth with disabilities.Conference attendees come from all over the state of Texas and include educators, transition specialists, vocational coordinators, service agency representatives, and youth with disabilities and their families.

When :: Feb. 15-17, 2010
Where :: Doubletree Hotel in Austin, Texas
For more info: http://ttc.tamu.edu/


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Great Resume-Building Opportunity!

Did that get your attention? It's true. Being an officer in a widely-known and highly respected professional organization is a great addition to your resume. It also affords you the opportunity to get to know other dedicated professionals in your field, be up to date on current events relevant to your career, and make a lasting contribution to the advancement of the profession.

DCDT needs your leadership, creativity and experience. The board has one elected position open for the coming year, which commences July 1st, 2010.  The following position is open:

Vice President.  The Vice President serves as President - Elect in the event of resignation or absence or inability to serve as the President - Elect and performs other responsibilities as designated by the President, particularly chairing the Membership Recruitment committee or serving as chair of the Conference Planning Committee. The person elected as Vice-President serves a four-year term. The first year, the elected officer will serve as Vice-President, and subsequent years as President-Elect, President, and finally as Past-President.

The position above is elected by the general membership. If you would like to nominate someone, or are interested in finding out more about the position, you may email Dr. Sherrilyn Fisher, immediate past president, [email protected].  
 
Nomination Process
The DCDT Nominating Committee will accept the nomination of any member in good standing with the association, including self-nominations.   All nominations must be accompanied by a short biography of the nominee, five letters of nomination for the nominee from DCDT members in good standing, and written consent from the nominee to serve if elected.   Self-nominations must be accompanied by five letters of nomination from other DCDT members and the self-nomination letter must include a statement of the person's willingness to serve if elected.   To be eligible for consideration, nominations must be received by December 10, 2009.  Nominations can be mailed or e-mailed to:
Sherrilyn K. Fisher, Ph.D.
5614 W 79th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66208
[email protected]

Other Board Positions
 In addition, DCDT has board positions that are not elected, but are appointed for a three year term and may be reappointed for an additional term.  If you are interested in, or know of someone who you might recommend for these positions, please make write a letter of interest to DCDT's President, Dale Matusevich, by November 30th, 2009.  These are the appointed positions that will be open for 2010:

Chairperson, Government Committee.  This committee shall study legislation at the national, state, and local levels as they relate to the career development and transition of exceptional individuals. This committee shall make recommendations to the Board concerning legislative proposals, which the division might support or approve, and then act on behalf of the Division in this regard. The committee shall also be in contact with federal agencies to secure and transmit information that will promote career development and transition programs and needs.  The Chairperson will be selected by the Board and shall serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms. He/She shall submit a report to the Board at DCDT meetings.

Chairperson, Marketing Committee.   This committee shall organize and direct the promotion of DCDT's mission, functions and resources. The committee shall work in conjunction with other DCDT committees to ensure that all DCDT activities (recruitment, legislative, publications, research, etc.) promote the continuous growth and development of DCDT, as indicated by the needs and present issues of the field. The committee shall formulate a marketing plan for approval by the Board. The Chairperson will be selected by the Board and shall serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms.  He/She shall submit a report to the Board at DCDT meetings.

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DCDT Call for Awards Nominations
Would you like to honor an outstanding contributor to our field? The Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT), a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), is accepting nominations for awards given to people who have made outstanding contributions in the field of secondary education and transition for students with disabilities. Each candidate must b e a member in good standing of DCDT at the time of nomination. Deadline for nominations is January 15, 2010.

Winners will be announced at the CEC conference in Nashville, April, 2010; however, the awards will be given out at the DCDT October 2011 conference in Mystic, CN.  The award ceremony and associated showcase is a change from the previously announced location, which was the CEC conference of April 2010.    

To nominate someone for a DCDT award, please submit a letter of nomination to Dr. Sherrilyn Fisher (see below). To learn more about award guidelines, see below. For questions, email [email protected].
Nominations can be mailed or e-mailed to:

Sherrilyn K. Fisher, Ph.D.
5614 W 79th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66208
[email protected]

NEW THIS YEAR!!  The Rookie Teacher of the Year Award - This award would honor a teacher who has completed the first year of teaching, and would thus be in their second year during 2010.  It will be a practitioner honor to an educator who has demonstrated outstanding and innovative and committed services to the career education and transition of students with disabilities.

Marc Gold Innovative Practices in Transition Award - This award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated innovation in transition services.  The award is named after Marc Gold whose innovative "Try Another Way" approach opened the door employment for many students with severe disabilities.

Iva Dean Cook Teacher of the Year Award - This practitioner honor is awarded to an educator who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the career education and transition of students with disabilities. The award is named in recognition of Iva Dean Cook, a DCDT founding member, past president and a pioneer in teacher preparation in transition.

Employer of the Year Award - This award is presented to an employer or business that has shown remarkable commitment to promoting or providing employment opportunities to students with disabilities.

Oliver P. Kolstoe Award - The Oliver P. Kolstoe Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of career development and transition through means other than direct classroom instruction (which is recognized by the Iva Dean Cook Teacher of the Year Award). The award is named in recognition of Oliver P. Kolstoe, a DCDT founding member and past president whose early research and publications significantly shaped the field of transition.

Donn Brolin Award for State/Province Leadership and Services- This honor is awarded to an individual who has provided significant leadership and service in transition to a state or province. Donn Brolin was a founding member and the first president of DCDT and as author of the Life Centered Career Education curriculum was influential in the career development and early transition movement.

Patricia L. Sitlington Research in Transition Award- This award is presented to an individual who has contributed to more positive outcomes for transition-aged youth and to the field of transition through a body of research in transition. The award is named in honor of Patricia Sitlington, a DCDT past-president who has contributed significantly to knowledge in the field through research.

DCDT values every member and is continually trying to determine additional activities and resources that can benefit our membership. Please let us know if you have suggestions for activities, publications, or member support strategies by emailing us at [email protected]

 
Warm Regards,

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Meg Grigal, Marketing Chair
DCDT