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SADD National Conference 2013
June 22 - 25
Orlando, FL
$100 decrease in cost,
start planning now and let us know if you plan to attend.
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| About SADD |  | |
SADD is a part of Prevention First. This newsletter is made possible by funding from the Traffic Safety Division of Illnois Department of Transportation.
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Parent Resources
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Students Against Destructive Decisions |
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February 2013 SADDLines
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Greetings!
I hope this latest edition of SADDLines finds you well on your way to planning for the National Conference in Orlando this summer. If you are planning to attend, please let us know. We would like to provide IL SADD t-shirts for everyone to wear for a sunny group picture while there.
I also want to encourage you to participate in the contests that we share with you. They are a great way to earn cash and prizes, and well deserved recognition for your chapter.
As always, let us know what you are up to and how we can help. We are looking for sites to host regional SADD workshops this spring, including awesome prizes for the host chapters!
Robyn
IL SADD Coordinator |
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Healthy Relationships
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, so it's an important time to assess relationships.
Some essential aspects of a good relationship include respect, support, positive communication, trust/security, and comfort. Anytime you are not feeling one of those things, you are not getting all that you deserve. No relationship is one hundred percent smooth sailing, but it's crucial that you devise effective management of conflicts. Respectful communication should always be  at the center of conflict resolution.
In all aspects of the partnership, respectful and reasonable communication should reign supreme. A true partner should trust you to be faithful and loving, and not constantly monitor your activities or whereabouts. An occasional text, email, or phone call checking in can be a very positive feature of a relationship, but texting constantly can be a sign of jealousy or possessiveness. It's important to distinguish between healthy communication, and what may be controlling and damaging.
If you have concerns about your relationship or the relationship of a friend, seek the guidance of a school counselor or a parent. And don't forget that good friends are always there to listen.
Check out www.loveisrespect.org for great dating resources, including warning signs of abuse, and advice for how to get help. They even have 24/7 phone, texting, and online chatting capabilities if you have a question or just need a friendly ear.
Hopefully your Valentine 's Day is filled with cheer and chocolate!
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Kick Butts Day
Stand out. Speak out. Seize control. March 20th, 2013 is Kick Butts Day--your chance to be part of a campaign for tobacco-free kids. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the tobacco problem in our country and help encourage youth to stay tobacco-free. Go to
www.kickbuttsday.org to get ideas for the different kinds of activities you can do, and start planning your event today.
All SADD chapters should take advantage of this terrific campaign!
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What Do You Consider Lethal?
Impact Teen Drivers', "What Do You Consider Lethal?" Campaign exposes the truth about the deadliest threat to teens: Distracted Driving. It is the number one killer of teens in America. 
Using the Lethal Campaign for inspiration, SADD advocates are traveling to different high schools to present to teens on this gravely important subject. The presentation at Notre Dame College Prep was very well received, and the accompanying Simulator "provided a great demonstration of the dangers of distracted driving," according to guidance counselor, Steve Murray.
The students agreed! One said he "was surprised at the destruction that could take place after a distracted driving accident." Another remarked that "he was amazed by the fines, and costs he have after an accident, he would think before he answered the phone in his car."
Exploret impactteendrivers.org/our-story and make sure to check out videos of real-life stories under the "resources" tab, along with a presentation outline--perfect for any SADD members that want to develop a presentation of their own!
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Take a Ride!
Reserve the Simulator for your school today.
 2013 has already been a busy year for the Distracted Driving Simulator, so visit our website, and reserve it today! The Simulator is a great, hands-on tool that uses cutting-edge technology to increase awareness about dangerous driving. Students can take a virtual drive that demonstrates the realistic effects of trying to multitask behind the wheel. I f you're competing in IDOT's Operation Teen Safe Driving, schedule a visit with the Simulator immediately! It's the perfect hands-on addition to your activities. 
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Act Out Loud
 It's not too late to register for NOYS' national contest, Act Out Loud! Register by April 1, 2013 by submitting the date and location of your team's Act Out Loud Rally--the rally should take place in May of this year. Get the word out on safe driving, and you earn monetary assistance and prizes as you go. The registration deadline for this important part of the NOYS Teen Traffic Safety campaign is April 1, 2013. Remember, though: the sooner you register the more money you're eligible to win. It's not too late to earn money, so don't wait to get involved! Actoutloud.org has all the details to get you started today! |
Put Your Creativity to Good Use!
The Create Real Impact Contest is an amazing opportunity for teens ages 15-22 to win cash awards for the most creative and effective ways to inform their peers about the dangers of distracted driving. The four high schools with the most entries will receive a $1500 educational grant, so encourage your teachers and schools to participate. The contest started this month, but continues through April 20th, 2013, and will be judged by online voting. There is still plenty of time to get creative with how you will impact drivers. Start today!
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Gibson City SADD Does Valentine's Day Right
 Today, Gibson City SADD is hosting a Valentine's event extraordinaire, promoting the website Because i Care to raise awareness of Distract ed Driving Prevention. Lollipops will be distributed at their school's assembly, with each number entering the sucker's owner into a drawing for movie passes and basket of goodies and a mini iPad. The chapter's leader is going to speak about Distracted Driving, and explain that the neon blue color is to distracted driving what pink is to breast cancer. The recipe for success this Valentine's Day: candy, prizes, and invaluable information.
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SAB Member of the Month: Jacque Mattes
 Jackie is a junior at Harry D. Jacobs High School. Post graduation, she hopes to study Physical Therapy and get her doctorate degree. She was born in Dallas, Texas, but has lived most of her life in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Although this is her first year on the Student Advisory Board for SADD, she has long been involved with many organizations. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Crosspoint Lutheran Church, Colorguard and Winterguard, just to name a few. When she is not busy volunteering her time to worthy causes, Jacque enjoys crafting, horseback riding, shopping, and if you can believe it, cleaning! |
Great Resource for Parents!
The Fierce Urgency of Now. This op ed about the urgency for parents to take an active role against underage drinking is something SADD Chapters should hand out to parents.
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Calling all Northern Illinois Chapters!
Is your SADD chapter looking for something to do? Do you want to make a real impact in your community around the prevention of underage drinking? We are looking for chapters in Northern Illinois to pilot our newest campaign Mobilizing the Community: Youth Taking the Lead.
Mobilizing the Community is a youth and community based campaign designed by SADD National in Massachusetts. The campaign focused on using the youth voice to raise awareness about underage drinking issues in the community, changing perceptions about underage drinking and working towards community change.
SADD National has chosen Illinois to assist in the implementation and evaluation of the campaign. They are [participating in SAMHSA's Service to Science initiative, and need the help of Illinois SADD Chapters. Your chapter can be on the cutting edge of prevention, and recognized, and a free manual about the program for your chapter. Did we say FREE? Yes, free to those who wish to be a pilot site, ILSADD will cover all costs. You can really make an impact in your community and you can get national recognition!
For more information on participating in Mobilizing the Community: Youth Taking the Lead contact Sarah Wright at sarah@ilsadd.org.
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Hopefully our SADD updates have sweetened your Valentine's day, and you will take advantage of all the upcoming opportunities.
If you know of other relevant exciting contests and campaigns, please share them with me! My hunt for newsworthy tidbits will be ongoing, so please email me at Zoe.Schuler@Prevention.org with suggestions of what you would like to see shared here, and on Facebook or our website.
Also, I'm going to continue spotlighting a SADD chapter each month, so please get in touch with me if your chapter is doing big things (and I am sure it is!).
I hope you all are staying warm and driving safely. As always, if you haven't done so, please register your chapter!!
Sincerely,
Zoe Schuler
Illinois SADD |
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