Welcome to another issue of The SADDvocate! As we slowly emerge from a frigid winter, chapters are planning for all their spring activities - from Alcohol Awareness Month to Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, from Kick Butts Day to prom safety campaigns. What is your chapter planning?  It's not too late to register your chapter! ALL SADD chapters are asked to update their registration once each school year, so that we know you're active and we have the current advisor's contact information. Registration is completely free - there are no dues or membership fees, takes just two minutes once each school year, can be done easily online, and we'll even send you a certificate and a free poster! So if you haven't done so already, please register now. All those who registered after February 6 will receive their certificates in the mail next week. If you didn't get yours, email cegan@sadd.org for help. Our goal is to ensure that every SADD chapter has the latest news, so we're counting on you to help spread the word about The SADDvocate. Please encourage all of your SADD chapter members to sign up on sadd.org, or send a list (spreadsheets preferred, with columns for first name, last name, and email address) to Chris Egan, SADD's Director of Field Services, at cegan@sadd.org. Sometimes school computer filters prevent students and advisors from seeing The SADDvocate properly, in full color with graphics. You can view every issue in our online archive. This issue will be posted to the archive later today. A good source of regular SADD news is our Facebook page. Please "like" our page today, and encourage your friends to do so as well! Links to all our social networking pages are on the bar at left. |
 | SADD National Conference - Deadline!! |
 The early-bird deadline for the 2014 SADD National Conference, Life is a Jungle: Join the Expedition, is approaching very fast - it's this Saturday, March 15! This is your last chance to save $50 per person for the conference, which will take place June 22-25 at the Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner just outside Washington, DC. To get the early bird discount, you simply need to fill out a group registration and include a $100 deposit per person. You don't need to pay in full, and you don't even need the names of those attending - just the number of adults and students. So don't miss out - save some cash by registering this week! The conference itself will be a fantastic experience, with great keynote speakers like Natalie Ehmka and Shaun Derik, plenty of skill-building workshops, and a focus on advocacy with a rally on Capitol Hill and visits with your elected representatives (we'll make the appointments, train you, and help you find your way). So don't wait - register today! We're still looking for workshop proposals for conference, and we welcome proposals from SADD chapters. Don't wait too long - proposals are due March 30. Click here to download the Call for Workshops. |
| SADD Store - Cool Shades!
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 These SADD sunglasses have been receiving 5-star reviews for value and quality. They come in red and black with dark lenses and the SADD text printed all over the frames. These are perfect for outdoor activities, sporting events, and just wearing around town to show off your SADD style. They're also really affordable, at just $5 each. Use them as a great incentive or an awesome gift. To order your SADD sunglasses or any other SADD product, visit saddstore.org, call 1-888-608-6988, or email sadd@apisource.com. Help us by sharing your own reviews of products you buy. And if you haven't done so already, make sure to "like" the SADD Store Facebook page to get all the latest deals and specials! |
| Programs & Resources
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 March 16-22 is National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week, sponsored by our friends at the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE). Each year, 2.6 million teens use an inhalant to get high, and they are easily accessible, found in virtually all homes. Everyday items - such as glue, paint, nail polish remover, cleaners and food products like whipped cream in aerosol cans - can all be abused.
 ACE's Inhalant.org is a site packed full of resources to address this problem. SADD worked with ACE to create the Inhalant Abuse Prevention Facilitator's Guide and Lesson Plan. This tool was designed for high school SADD chapters to take the message of inhalant abuse prevention to the middle school level, but can be used by anyone to increase awareness of this important topic. Click here to learn more.  March 19 is Kick Butts Day - a day to stand out, speak up, and seize control from Big Tobacco, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. SADD chapters across the country will participate. If you do, make sure to register your event on kickbuttsday.org.  Is your school facing issues around sexting or general internet safety? The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers internet safety tips at their NetSmartz and NetSmartz for Teens (NSTeens) sites. Teachers can find lesson plans and kits at NetSmartz, while teens can find videos, games, comics, and more at NSTeens.org. |
| Spotlight on SADD Chapters |
This monthly column highlights the impressive work SADD chapters are doing across the country. Want to see your chapter in the Spotlight? Send news and a good group photo to cegan@sadd.org.
 Coolidge SADD from Coolidge, Arizona, is part of the Coolidge Youth Coalition, working on issues such as underage drinking. Coolidge SADD students recently testified before their city council, calling attention to stores almost totally plastered with alcohol advertising near city schools. City councilors commended students for their efforts, and tasked the city's code enforcement division with better enforcing compliance with the city's sign ordinances. Coolidge SADD's achievements prove the power of teen voices - when you speak up, you make a difference!
 Freehold Township High School SADD from Freehold, New Jersey, recently had a visit from a school alum - Miami Dolphins wide receiver/special teamer Ryan Spadola. Spadola came to the school to discuss the issue of texting while driving, and encouraged students to play it safe. The SADD chapter reinforced the message with additional activities and messaging. Thanks to our national partner DCH Auto Group for supporting the work of this chapter!
 Ionia High School SADD from Ionia, Michigan, has spent much time recently working on social injustices. As part of their focus, they took a field trip to the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan. This eye-opening trip helped reinforce their decision to take a stand against bullying in their school. They held a pledge drive, handing out friendship bracelets for students who signed, and had a day devoted to cyber-bullying, in which students wore red to call attention to the issue. They plan to focus on domestic violence next, before turning their attention to prom safety.
 Cassville High School SADD from Cassville, Missouri stepped up to aid one of their classmates who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. His family needed funds to help cover medical expenses, so SADD students held a benefit and raised more than $8,000 to help.
Northport High School SADD from Northport, New York created a video targeted at parents as part of their work with their local Drug and Alcohol Task Force. They presented the video at a meeting with their county legislator Rob Trotta. Click below to check it out.
Congratulations to all these chapters for their great work!
Material from local newspapers was used to prepare this report. Click on images for original articles. |
| Contests, Grants, and Awards |
 Are you a SADD student in your senior of year of high school and headed to a two- or four-year college in the fall? You have a chance at one of seven $500 SADD College Scholarships! Applications are due by April 18 and require references and an essay, so get started working on yours today! For more information, click here.
 We see news clips of extraordinary things SADD chapters are doing every single day - creative activities, incredible advisors, and super-active chapters that are a terrific example for all those involved with SADD. Time to get some recognition! The Best of SADD Awards recognize the Activity of the Year, Advisor of the Year, and Chapter of the Year. Awards include a cash prize. Nominations are due May 2. Click here to learn more.
There are a number of contests your chapter could enter with upcoming deadlines. Make sure to check out our Contests page - you can click through to it from the homepage at sadd.org - just look for the green dollar sign! |
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