The 2012 NCADD Conference theme was "One Message:  One Voice" and was planned as a working Conference to develop key messages, obtain advocacy skills, and plan next steps for when we reconvene in the Washington, DC next year.  In the coming months, we will begin applying the skills and knowledge gained to develop an advocacy day in the Nation's Capitol.

The first session, facilitated by Lisa Kaichen was titled "Crafting Key Messages."   The six breakout groups agreed that key messages should be Simple, Short, Clear, Engaging, Compelling, and Surprising!   After working in groups, the participants agreed on the following message:  “National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Providing solutions to American’s #1 Health Problem.   We know that prevention works.  Treatment works.   Recovery works.”  Attendees broke into four workgroups and each focused on the development of research to document support for each statement in the key messages:  1. #1 Health Problem, 2. Prevention Works, 3. Treatment Works and 4. Recovery Works.

 The Conference also showcased the programs and services provided by NCADD's Louisiana Affiliates' in New Orleans, Houma, Baton Rouge and Shreveport as well as presentations by the two 2012 NCADD Prevention & Education Award-Winners:

The Conference also include an excellent presentation on “NCADD and Social Media” by Malia Smith, NCADD Web Editor-Social Media and “NCADD Website Update” by Stephen Wilcox, NCADD Webmaster.

The NCADD Awards Luncheon included presentation of the following awards:

• NCADD Silver Key Award to Ed Tasch, Executive Director of NCADA St. Louis, MO
• NCADD Marty Mann Founder's Award to Betty Currier, former Executive Director of the LEAF Council, Oneonta, NY Affiliate; and Consultant to the New York State NCADD Affiliate, The Council on Addictions of New York State (CANYS) .

NCADD Affiliate Executive Service Awards were presented to:

• Izetta Briggs-Bolling, Executive Director- The Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of Sullivan County/Recovery Center- Monticello, NY for 5 years service
• Jennifer Faringer, Executive Director- NCADD Rochester, NY for 10 years service.

NCADD Affiliate Anniversary Awards were presented to:

• NCADD Orange County-  Irvine, CA for 55 years
• NCADA Bay Area-  San Francisco, CA for 55 years
• The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston-  Houston, TX for 60 years, and
• NCADD Detroit-  Detroit, MI, for 65 years.

The Conference theme was "One Message: One Voice" and was planned as a working Conference to develop key messages, obtain advocacy skills, and plan next steps for when we reconvene in the Washington, DC area next year. In the coming months, we will begin applying the skills and knowledge gained to develop an advocacy day in the Nation's Capitol.

The first session was a facilitated one entitled "Crafting Key Messages." The group agreed that key messages should be Simple, Short, Clear, Engaging, Compelling, and Surprising! After working as a group, the participants broke into workgroups focusing on such topics as "Prevention Works," "#1 Health Problem," Treatment Works" and "Recovery Works."

An excellent advocacy training was lead by NCADD-New Jersey's  Aaron Kucharski, followed by a "Next Steps" session in which participants discussed how to proceed through the coming year to prepare for an increased advocacy presence by NCADD in Washington, including preparing for the 2013 Conference and making our collective presence felt on Capitol Hill.

The Conference also showcased the programs and services provided by NCADD's Louisiana Affiliates' as well as presentations on the two 2012 Prevention & Education award-winning programs: Gardena, CA's "Medicine Education Program" and St. Louis, MO's TryPOD (Try Putting Off Drinking) program. In addition, there also was an excellent presentation on NCADD and Social Media by Malia Smith, NCADD Web Editor-Social Media and Stephen Wilcox, NCADD Webmaster.

The NCADD Awards Luncheon included presentation of the Silver Key Award to Ed Tasch, Executive Director of the St. Louis, MO Affiliate and the NCADD Marty Mann Founder's Award to Betty Currier, former Executive Director of the Oneonta, NY Affiliate. Executive Service Awards were presented to Izetta Briggs-Bolling, Monticello, NY for 5 years service and Jennifer Faringer, Rochester, NY for 10 years service. Affiliate Anniversary Awards were given to Irvine, CA for 55 years, San Francisco, CA for 55 years, Houston, TX for 60 years, and Detroit, MI, for 65 years.

Pictures from the Conference

Aaron Kucharski- NCADD New Jersey Leads Advocacy Training WorkshopConference of Affiliates- New Orleans

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