NAMI TEXAS Fall 20082 1

Roadmap

Fall 2008

Candidate and Conference Info

October 17th and 18th, 2008to recovery

The State’s Voice on Mental Illness

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contents2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION LIST

At Large: Jason Crowder

At Large: Dr. Nancy Speck, Ph.D.

At Large: Ramona Paetzold

Region 1: David Gibson

Region 2: John Dornheim

Region 5: Jane Harmon

Consumer Council: Andy Gibson

Consumer Council: Ashley Montondon

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Contents/Board of Directors

Board of Directors: Nominees

Board of Directors: Nominees

Board of Directors: Nominees

Board of Directors: Nominees

Conference Registration

Each nominee was asked to answer the following questions; the responses are on the following pages.

Why do you want to serve on the NAMI Texas Board of Directors?

What financial management or fund-raising expertise would you bring to the Board?

What is the most pressing public policy issue facing NAMI Texas members today? What course of action do you suggest?

What brought you to NAMI and what is most valuable to you about your participation in the NAMI movement?

What is the most pressing internal or organizational issue facing NAMI Texas today? What course of action do you suggest?

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2008 Board of Directors Nominees

At Large Board NomineeJason CrowderNAMI Austin

Having worked for 4 Fortune 200 Companies and conducted business of various levels in 15 countries, I want to bring my experience in business, project oversight, and spend management to NAMI Texas. I am also a consumer of mental health services and a strong advocate for my peers.

The short and sweet answer is: “To Help”. I want to serve on the Board to help NAMI Texas’ growth in fundraising, awareness, membership, and its overall voice in the community. I have a personal and passionate interest in the success of NAMI at the local, state, and national levels. The question I ask myself is, “How can I best serve NAMI and subsequently those affected by mental illness?” I feel the tangible aspects of my experience can continue to move NAMI Texas down a path of progress and growth. I have managed projects, budgets, and initiatives across functions and across continents. I have experience in organizational strategic planning at the 1, 3 and 5 year level, including resource and budget planning ownership. I believe that experience, from a purely business management perspective, is one way for me to be of best service to NAMI Texas. More important than the business acumen, is the passion to help that fuels my desire to want to serve on the Board of Directors. As someone that believes in and lives in recovery, I feel it is of extreme importance that the consumer voice is well represented on the Board of Directors. As a presenter in the IOOV program, I have had the chance to be a voice of the consumer. I want to continue to carry the responsibility of representation to a Board position. I want to be a part of a cross-section of diverse Board members that influence and drive the direction NAMI Texas.

Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to manage various projects, budgets, and direct spend decisions. For example, a specific project transitioning in-house activities to outside providers involved developing an initial scope and project plan, creating a project budget (exceeding $1.2M), resource planning, equipment planning, communications, change management, and milestone management activities. Understanding that any change in any segment of the overall project equates to a possible impact to the budget process. I have also managed implementation budgets of greater that $15M within the US and Asia. This required not only financial management, analysis, and forecasting but it more importantly required greater clarity and focus on communication. As part of the budget management,

forecasting changes and impact and communicating the budget impact to the governing bodies is a critical role in the communication of project and budget activities. In other roles, I have acted a lead negotiator for multi-national contracts with annual spend greater than $40M. This involves understanding the market, the need and requirements, and the monetary pain threshold of both yourself and the company with which you are negotiating. I have little fundraising experience. I am, however, on the NAMIWalks committee for Austin this year and am learning a great deal about the process.

The most pressing issue facing NAMI Texas, mental health consumers and families is the lack of funding. Depending on whose numbers you read, Texas ranks 48th or 49th in the nation for mental health funding. This not only includes funding for ER and Hospital beds for those in crisis, but the preventative measures as well. The current funding standards in Texas cannot adequately care for those in crisis yet alone support any early intervention programs. We hear countless stories of consumers in crisis bouncing from ER to ER; ER’s that are not staffed to handle a mental health crisis, only to wait up to 48 hours to be seen. We lack transitional programs for those coming out of crisis or hospitalization. We lack programs to address the mental health needs of youths and teens, until they are in the correctional system. Texas, more than most states, is looking into the eye of a storm as veterans begin to return from Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be a lack of adequate care for those suffering from PTSD I do not try to fool myself into thinking this is an easy for quick fix. Like many major policy changes that have taken place over the years, the effort begins on the street. The effort begins with grass-root organizations and with people like you and I organizing, unifying, and vocalizing. The change must come from below and it must come with enough volume and depth that it cannot be ignored. We need a specific, single point of focus campaign to change how mental health services are funded in this state. We need to define specific members of the state legislation, the media, and the mental health and services community at which to direct our message. We need to be heard.

I found NAMI soon after I began living in recovery. I initially joined to learn. I wanted to learn everything I could about my illness. I wanted ownership of it. In taking ownership of my illness, I committed to becoming knowledgeable about the physiological, mental, and emotional aspects of my illness. I

researched the medications that I am given and the various therapeutic treatment options available. I sought opportunities to turn my illness, a perceived disability, into something positive. I began to write my Congressmen and Senators and the Governor to

voice my concern about mental health issues. In joining NAMI and understanding the people that are NAMI, I realized that I was not alone. I realized other’s shared my views and were taking action. My desire to learn became a desire to share. NAMI IOOV program allowed me to do just that. In IOOV, the goal is to reach out the community and share the aspects of living with MI in a first person account. The goal is to effect a positive change by presenting on “their turf”. But what I found is that the process of speaking out for mental illness awareness and advocacy, representing NAMI, and

instilling a message of hope benefits me far more than anyone that hears me present. NAMI and the IOOV program play an equal part of my recovery regimen. I plan to be an active and productive of NAMI with the goal of bringing as much value to the organization as it brings to me. Being a Board member will present me with the opportunity to continue working towards that goal.

In my opinion, the most pressing internal/organizational issue facing NAMI Texas is one that faces any organization managing multiple segments (local affiliates) as governing body; balancing the needs and priorities of the state organization while continuing to support and consider each local affiliate’s needs. Too often, it is the good intention of trying to be “all things to all people” that leads to a governing body becoming fragmented and ineffective. Serving the largest state in the union (until Alaska anyway), the NAMI Texas Board of Directors has more than its work cut out for it. Budget management is a critical activity for the Board. I believe that a clear and crisp two-way communication process with each and every local affiliate is just a critical. Expectations of communication, definition of process, and adherence to guidelines are required to keep the relationship between state and local at a healthy level. It is also through effective communication chains that the Board can ensure it is meeting the needs of the communities in which we live. It allows the Board insight into new opportunities and gives NAMI Texas a foundation for standardization and unification for events, fundraising, and political activities. How do we truly become One Voice? That will be the challenge of the Board

At Large Board NomineeNancy C. Speck, Ph.d. NAMI Nacogdoches

Identification: I have worked side-by-side with NAMI leaders at the local, state and national levels. I have served as the appointed Trustee from Nacogdoches County to the regional MHMR, The Burke Center,

for more than thirty years. I represented Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma as a regional director on the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. for 7 years. I chaired the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers and served in various other leadership positions for fifteen years. Other service experiences available upon request.

The identification of my experience with NAMI(above) explains how I know about NAMI and its work. I am at a place in my own professional life that I feel I can join with Robin, her staff and board , and contribute time and other assistance to attaining

the goals that NAMI Texas has set.I was the Vice President for University

Advancement, Stephen F. Austin State University for a number of years. In that capacity, I was responsible for creating an active foundation for soliciting and receiving funds for an endowment and designated gifts. I was also the assistant to the President of SFA for governmental affairs.

Access to services, continuity of care, and improved funding are always issues in a state that has low funding for mental health and substance abuse.

A growing and very critical component, workforce development, is also a present and future challenge for

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all organizations serving mental health and substance use needs.

Suggested course of action: Vigilance in tracking legislative issues, advocacy for services to a greater number of qualified consumers at all ages, and a focus on trying to reduce the current trend of using criminal justice incarcerations as treatment solutions for the mentally ill.

There are two interactions that have brought me to this level of interest in NAMI TEXAS participation: first, my high respect for and enjoyable association with Robin Peyson since the release of the President’s New Freedom Mental Health Commission Report, and secondly, from my homefront in Nacogdoches, I have been informed of the need to have a leader from the

Eastern Region of Texas. I have great respect for Robin

and the NAMI Nacogdoches members, as well as for the Lufkin NAMI chapter. Lyle Moel, NAMI Lufkin, has been a loyal supporter and participant in the Burke Center work throughout East Texas. It will be my pleasure to offer whatever support I can to those who are already working to solve mental health issues through their participation in NAMI.

I think that I will be more knowledgeable about this after

serving for at least one year. Through my association with Robin, I am aware that financial stability is a pressing issue. There seem to be activities in place to address various funding streams and I think that I can be helpful.

At Large Board Nominee

Ramona L. PaetzoldNAMI Brazos Valley

I have been a professor at Texas A & M University for the last 18 years, where I conduct research on the problems faced by people with disabilities in the workplace (from both legal and psychological perspectives). My particular focus is on people with psychological and/or psychiatric disabilities.

I would like to serve on the NAMI Texas Board of Directors because I am committed to being more proactive in advocating for progressive policies to advance the rights of those who have a mental illness. Serving on the Board provides an opportunity not only to advocate for change within the state, but to influence policies both at more local levels as well as nationally. Whether it be fighting stigma in the media, influencing changes in workplace laws, lobbying for parity within insurance programs, promoting the institution of a therapeutic judicial system, providing support for consumers and their family/friends, or simply being a presence for persons with mental illness in Texas, NAMI Texas is the organization that can make a difference. Serving on the Board of Directors can also be viewed as a natural extension of my own professional interest in striking down barriers, eliminating stigma and stereotypes, and achieving workplace opportunities for those who have a mental illness.

The most pressing public policy issue facing NAMI Texas members today is available and affordable quality health care for persons with mental illness. Texas ranks poorly when it comes to providing insurance coverage for its residents, and the toll that takes on persons with mental illness is particularly high. Emergency rooms are ill-equipped to handle the number of cases that come to them because of a lack of other care (and the number of emergency rooms is shrinking). Throughout the state, hospital beds are frequently unavailable for persons in crisis as well as for longer-term care. In my own affiliate area, a shortage of

psychiatrists to diagnose and treat mental illness makes health care problematic for a number of Texans. Texas needs to shift its budgetary priorities to make the treatment of mental illness a primary concern. NAMI Texas should play an instrumental role in working with the legislature to provide for improved mental health care. Texas needs a better system of health insurance coverage for Texans. It needs to provide incentives for medical providers to enhance treatment options for those who have a mental illness.

I joined NAMI shortly after being diagnosed with a serious mental illness myself. I grew up in a family where

mental illness was present but undiscussed, and as an adult have had to grapple with mental illness among a variety of close loved ones. My perspective as both consumer and family member has made me particularly appreciative of NAMI. Participation in NAMI has offered first and foremost a sense of belonging—a sense that I am not “in this” alone but that there are many others like me who struggle day-to-day to cope with mental illness. Both the support group aspect of NAMI and the Family-to-Family course have given me a greater understanding of the importance of sharing

experiences with others and talking openly about the difficulties that mental illness can present in our lives. As president of my local affiliate I hope to bring the NAMI Movement and the benefits it brings to many more individuals in need, to make NAMI an even greater presence within the Brazos Valley.

One of the most pressing internal issues facing NAMI Texas is to find ways to develop better linkages with the local affiliates. Much of the basic, “grassroots” work is done through the local NAMI affiliates. Some, like my own, are quite small and in need of stronger support from the state organization. It is difficult to provide the range of educational opportunities and other activities—and hence difficult to grow in size and visibility—without additional resources from the state organization. For example, a solid training program for local affiliate presidents (and perhaps other officers) would be beneficial. NAMI Texas could provide assistance in grant writing for local affiliates, and could keep local affiliates informed of grant opportunities that could be particularly useful for them. More frequent training programs for leaders of Peer-to-Peer, Family-to-Family, In Our Own Voice, and other educational programs would be beneficial, keeping in mind that smaller affiliates may not be able to send more than one or two members to be trained at any point in time. Promoting the development of more, necessarily small, affiliates throughout the rural areas of Texas would help to provide outreach to many people with mental illness who may otherwise be left out. I believe that because local affiliates must play a key role in bringing NAMI’s programs to the residents of Texas, strengthening (and promoting) these affiliates is a particularly pressing issue for NAMI Texas.

Region 1 Board NomineeDr. David R. GibsonNAMI Lubbock

My name is David Gibson and I am finishing my 8th year as president of NAMI Lubbock. I was recently appointed to the board of NAMI Texas Board of Directors as the representative from Region 1. I am also the moderator for the NAMI Texas Egroups where I facilitate discussions.

Having been just recently appointed to the board, I have only met face to face once with the entire board, and therefore I am still trying to determine where I can fit in. With my 8 eight years of NAMI Lubbock experience, I have developed a strong appreciation of all the different things this organization can do so well. I feel I have the experience and expertise to help direct NAMI Texas. I also want to be able to represent the

people of west Texas in NAMI.I am an Optometrist and have been in private

practice for 30 years. I have been in competition with the corporate giants and chain stores the entire time and have managed to have a pretty good practice and keep 10 people employed. I understand how to run a business and manage employees. I have little to no fund raising experience.

At this point in time, I’m not sure. Earlier this year, without a doubt, the question of insurance parity was the most pressing issue of public policy. Now that the insurance parity issue has been acted upon by Congress, the next issue may be making sure the insurance companies act on the law. From my experience in accepting my patients’ insurance, I know that insurance companies sometimes have a hard time changing the way they do business. As far as the next issue of importance, I would look to the public policy committee to recommend that decision. That committee is made up of people with an interest in the legislative system and they should be able to determine

where our efforts need to directed. A bigger concern to me is educating our members in how to have a stronger influence on their elected officials. So many of our members think they can wait until the legislature is in session to meet their state rep or senator, when the truth is they need be working for their preferred candidate before the elections. This is the time to build a relationship instead of trying to influence them just before the vote on the House or Senate floor.

I was first attracted to NAMI for family support. My wife and I were lost and confused about our son’s illness. We had no idea if he had any future in the real world or if the bipolar disease would totally consume him and bankrupt us. By a total coincidence, one of my patients told me she had heard of a mental health support group that met weekly. My wife and I (and the patient) were both at the next meeting and we’ve rarely missed a meeting since then. That was eight years ago. The group was doing the Journey of Hope family education program and our lives were forever changed. After attending a couple of weeks, I became aware of

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Region 2 Board NomineeJohn DornheimNAMI Dallas

I am the immediate past president of DAMI Dallas, the community liaison for Green Oaks Psychiatric Hospital, the president of the Texas Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, the past president of the Board of Galaxy Counseling Center, and the former chair of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas’ Adolescent Symposium.

I would like to serve on the NAMI Texas Board of Directors because I want NAMI to continue to expand in size, importance and contributions throughout the state. A strong NAMI Texas will help ensure a strong NAMI organization in every city/county in the state. Training, organization, and support are all needed by the affiliates; if NAMI Texas doesn’t provide these—who does?

I have been/am president of several boards, including NAMI Dallas, and Galaxy Counseling Center (also treasurer)—a United Way not-for-profit sliding scale counseling center with 25 employees. I have ultimately been responsible for making the budget for both organizations. I have chaired or co-chaired fundraising campaigns. I have approached many pharmaceutical companies, major donors, restaurants, etc. for sponsorships, donations, or use of their names.

The most pressing policy issue facing NAMI Texas members is mental health funding. That has to be number one. Since I live in a catchment area of Texas that is 36th in funding out of 40 areas, and Texas is 48th in funding out of the entire country, we really feel the crunch of not having enough money to get the job done right. Our continued relentless conversation with state legislators, their aides and DSHS must be our top priority.

I was brought to NAMI by a NAMI Dallas board member who extolled the great virtues of NAMI; it was in 1999 and she was chairing the first Celebration

Recovery event we had in Dallas. I came to a NAMI general meeting, joined, and never stopped coming. I value NAMI in so many different ways: the people (the best I have ever met!), the attitude toward mental illness and the people with it, getting to know consumers and making lasting friendships with them (a chance I probably wouldn’t have had outside of NAMI), having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and feeling needed and valued.

5. NAMI Texas has the difficult challenge of rebuilding its framework and its economic stability. To do that, we have to first engage in major fundraising—grants especially—before the staff is expanded to the needed 5 or 6 employees: Executive Director, Special Events Manager, Office Manager, Receptionist, Grant Writer, and Director of Education. A fully-staffed and funded office will be needed to meet our state goals/initiatives and to let the Executive Director actually fulfill the tasks of the job rather than everyone else’s. Increased funding first—then an increase in staff.

Region 5 Board NomineeJane HarmonNAMI Waco

Board certified psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner with advanced certification in addictions and recognized as a board certified professional counselor. Has worked at the DePaul Center in Waco for the past three years and in August will assume the position as Director of the Crisis Triage Unit under MHMR.

I seek to serve on the NAMI Texas Board of directors in order to be in a position to influence policies and promote adequate care/services to consumers and families of persons with severe mental illness. As an advanced practice nurse I am committed

to promoting both mental and physical health to achieve the best quality of life.

My experience in financial management and fund raising are limited to participation in the process. I have managed budgets in both my current and past positions and know the importance of fiscal responsibility. I have participated in numerous fund raising activities for non-profit groups such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross.

Most pressing policy issue facing NAMI Texas members is identifying ways to influence policy makers to pass legislation that it is supportive of NAMI Texas Mission. Currently parity in health care reimbursement is a pressing issue.

Course of action suggested: Circulate information on current legislation and engage membership to contact their representatives to make their voices heard.

A patient’s family introduced me to NAMI in the early 1980s. This family voiced their appreciation and benefit from the NAMI resources. I attended State Convention in Dallas and was impressed by the combined efforts of consumers, families and the professionals dedicated to advocacy, education and support for persons/families struggling with mental illness. As a professional and as a family member touched by mental illness, I recognize the importance of ongoing support and availability of the most up-to-date information about resources.

Most pressing internal or organizational issue facing NAMI Texas today? Texas is a very large state. I think making NAMI resources available statewide is a major challenge.

Course of action suggested: Use of technology to coordinate services.

NAMI and began attending the monthly program meetings and learned more about what NAMI does. I learned about what the local NAMI affiliate did and

what NAMI Texas was involved in and, while I support NAMI in all the various activities it does, I find the support and education groups to be the most valuable asset NAMI has. I remember how lost I felt and how hopeless everything looked at that time.

Journey of Hope gave me hope as we started on our journey through NAMI and recovery.

It is difficult to choose an issue as being the MOST pressing issue but I would have to say that we must restore our level of funding of NAMI Texas to the levels of the early 2000’s when there were enough employees in the state office to accomplish the many different tasks and issues that a mental health organization must deal with. The affiliates need support and guidance from the state office if they are to carry out the program NAMI offers. Other programs work best when administered from the state office and the staff needs to have the time and expertise to effectively manage. NAMI Texas used to truly be “Texas’s Voice on Mental Illness” but due to major funding cuts along with mismanagement of programs and office staff, the funding disappeared which required the scaling back of programs and staff. It would be nice to get back on the Texas block grant list which used to provide the

major part of NAMI Texas’s funding but state money and politics are never dependable. I think our current course of action is best. Due to the hard work of Robin and the staff, we recently secured a large grant from the Meadows Foundation. This was the first major grant that our current staff has secured and shows their capabilities.

Another pressing issue that NAMI Texas faces is the reestablishment of a consumer organization within NAMI Texas. NAMI is all about consumers and they should be able to use NAMI as a place to organize and train for the real world. Nobody carries the NAMI banner as well as healthy consumers living their recovery. Whether the consumers want to re-establish the consumer council or invent their own structure, they need the backing of NAMI Texas to encourage self-reliance.

Consumer Council NomineeAndrew David GibsonNAMI Lubbock

Andy Gibson has an established track record of leadership and experience within NAMI. He currently serves on the NAMI Lubbock board of directors and has been a consumer educator, support group facilitator, and public presenter for over seven years.

For years, I have wanted to serve as the Texas representative to the National Consumer Council. In

2008, I decided that the time was right for me to run for the position. I feel I have a good pulse on where the organization has been, where it is, and where it is going.

For the first time since I have been involved, NAMI Texas has conformed to the national model in regards to the consumer programs offered. As a result, the trained facilitators, educators, and presenters have an immense amount of support through both the NAMI state and national offices. Peer-to-Peer, the newest addition to the consumer line-up of programs, is a nine week education course where class participants learn about relapse prevention, how to deal with stigma, and symptom management. It is a wonderful curriculum

and Texas is very lucky to finally have it. NAMI Connection (formerly NAMI C.A.R.E.) is a

support group that is rapidly spreading like wildfire thanks to some financial backing from AstraZeneca. Currently, these 90 minute support groups meet in over half the states in the U.S. The future for Connection is very promising, and the hope is that it will become the AA of mental health support groups – available every where, every week, and eventually every day.

In Our Own Voice is an interactive video presentation where consumers go out into the community and share their stories of recovery. The presentation is emotionally moving, inspiring, and most important, helps eradicate the stigma surrounding

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Consumer Council NomineeAshley MontondonNAMI Houston

I am Ashley Montondon and I live in the Houston area where my wife, two small children and I moved to a couple of years ago. Since moving back to Texas I have become involved and able to help NAMI in some really cool ways that I will never forget. Go NAMI.

I want to serve as the consumer council representative because I was graciously asked by friends and volunteers who felt I have the abilities to lead and help my fellow brothers and sisters. I have served in this capacity for the last few months. With the help of others we have started to organize a committee that will be responsive and extremely useful to consumers and family members. I can see this is only the beginning with great things to come. I find myself needing more time in this position in order to better organize, unify and empower more consumers within NAMI Texas. Over the last few months I have had some wonderful dialogues with the state board and they are getting more excited to involve consumers and see us take hold of more equal leadership roles. I have more work to do and look forward to inviting more families and consumers to help me in this endeavor.

I do not bring a ton of money expertise to the

board since I am not a voting member as the consumer council representative, but I do bring the ability to organize people and talent that can get any task successfully completed. By working in mental health I have the ability to observe, research, and do lots of homework that could be used in whatever financial effort that is needed.

Many issues affect mental health public policy in Texas. I find the more pressing public policy issues are those regarding mental health transformations in Texas and how money is spent in our state’s mental health system. Much work is being done by many people but it is a need for us to do our homework and support the best ideas. I would also have to say that mental health insurance parity issue has significant interest for my family. This issue is presently being talked about at many levels of government, and again it is our responsibility to support our political leaders with the best ideas.

My family first became involved with NAMI because my wife had the opportunity to take the family to family class. From there I attempted to find support at support groups but was unable to find any real friendships until I was able to train in the Peer to Peer recovery education course. As a teacher and trainer in the curriculum I was able to find real empowerment and use of my talents as I was able to help others find their recovery path. The most valuable part of my

participation in NAMI is to be friend with and help other consumers find opportunities that build on and empower their recovery. I love to see others smile and try something I suggested that will help. I recover better when I am helping others recover better as well.

There are many issues that put pressure on NAMI Texas but we have an amazing, dedicated board and

leaders that stand strong under any circumstances. From my perspective I think we have a long ways to go to better support consumers. We’ve had lots of years and financial practice at developing programs and support for families and now we are seeing consumers needing more resources and attention. We have had more consumer education over the last couple of years,

but having training without developing consumer leadership usually means we have to do retraining year after year. I see that as NAMI Texas further commits to provide leading opportunities and training then we will find more empowered people willing and able to help our board. A while back we actually had a statewide consumer council but due to lack of resources and internal conflict the council eventually faded away leaving many consumers hurt. We can unify consumer leadership with board priority and attention, and by doing so many consumers seeking guidance will be more efficiently empowered and served.

mental illness. The best part about these three programs is that

training for them is now available on a consistent and regular basis. The successes of these programs are crucial. I firmly believe that today’s student/support group attendee will be tomorrow’s advocate.

Financial management has always been interesting to me. Currently, I am majoring in Community Family and Addiction Services at Texas Tech University. Many people who graduate from my program go to work for community agencies, several of which are non-profits. As a result, some of what my curriculum involves is learning about funding streams, grant-writing, and other necessary tools to aid in administrating a budget for philanthropies and community agencies.

Even before attending school, I was able to aid NAMI in fundraising. In 2005, I was captain of the Lubbock Legends for the state NAMIWalk in Austin. With no previous experience, I was able to put together a team of a dozen people, secure separate funds for transportation down to Austin, and raise a substantial amount of money for our affiliate. What really amazed me was that we well exceeded our goal of $6,000, despite the fact that 90% of our fundraising was done during September 2005, when Katrina hit New Orleans. Several hundred Katrina evacuees came to Lubbock to seek disaster relief from our community agencies, leaving many of our potential resources depleted.

As exciting as that was, I have come to realize that sometimes funding is better when it is slow and steady. Today, the NAMI Lubbock affiliate office operates out of the Lubbock Regional MHMR Community Living Center – a public drop-in center for mental health clients from the area community that doubles as a 12-step meeting lodge at night. Inside the building are two vending machines; one soda machine and one for snacks. Seeing the opportunity, NAMI Lubbock purchased the machines and now keeps them stocked on a regular basis. After overhead, the affiliate now makes at least $.25 per vending transaction.

There are so many issues affecting NAMI members today that I would say it is just too hard to narrow it down to just one. Recently, we have had a lot of

legislation come through the congress both on the state and national level. It appears that we will finally see parity in the near future. We have seen a complete overhaul of how state public mental health services are delivered as a result of HB2292. Add to these topics CHIPs, jail diversion, patient care at the state hospitals, and the list goes on and on and on.

Before switching to CFAS, I briefly majored in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech and if there is one lesson I learned, it was this: “Save your money. Spend less than you make. And finally, realize that the government has no clue how to manage finances.” That last part was a bit of joke, but it does bring up a good point. I think it is essential that when we look at mental health issues, we need to find a healthy

balance between social and fiscal responsibility. More money is not always the cure-all answer. I think this is even more crucial as we face the economic times that we are in right now. Am I saying that I do not think we need more state and federal mental health funding? Not at all. What I am saying is we need to look at the big picture of how this will work. Once we do, it will make it easier for us to approach our legislators, because not only can we point out a problem, but we could also offer up a solution to that problem. Remember folks, fiscal fitness is not about the amount, it’s about the management of that amount.

I first heard about NAMI early on in my recovery. While residing at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas in the summer of 2000, my parents came for a weekend visit. One afternoon, my parents and I got into an argument and in the past, I usually lost my head and would do some things I later regretted. This time, however, was different. Thanks to the right medication and some recently learned interpersonal skills, I was able to ask them to leave. My parents did so, stunned. They had begun to realize that I was getting better, they were not, and I was leaving them behind in the dust.

About a month later, I talked to my parents on the phone and they told me they had found this group in the newspaper called Journey of Hope, which was a support group for family members of people who live with mental illness, offered by a group called

NAMI. In October of 2000, during a visit home, I attended my first ever NAMI meeting. The following summer, I moved back to Texas from Kansas and the day I got back, I attended a special called NAMI Lubbock meeting in which my father was appointed as president. Today, he is still president and my mother is the membership chairman and newsletter editor for the affiliate. Both have served on the board of NAMI Texas. I have also been active on all levels, serving as a facilitator, mentor, educator, presenter, trainer, board director, consultant; and last but not least, member.

Since I have been around, NAMI Lubbock has always been anchored in support. My family as well as countless others in our affiliate has remained active because of the weekly meetings we have had for the past several years.

Based upon my experience, I think NAMI Texas is doing better than they ever had. The powers that be have finally realized that there are three levels to the organization – national, state, and grassroots. That puts NAMI Texas in middle management! In the past, I always got the impression they did not like that fact and as a result, a lot of NAMI Texas time and resources were wasted on curriculums and models that barely, if ever, saw the light of day. Today, the question is no longer what is available; it has now become a question of when the training for those programs is available.

Now that the consumer programs are back online and training is offered on a regular basis, I think it is time to restore a part of NAMI Texas that has been dead for the past five or more years – the Consumer Council. Therefore, if elected to the Texas seat of the NAMI National Consumer Council, I vow to revive the NAMI Texas Consumer Council. I feel that with my experience with the old Texas Consumer Council, I have an idea of how one should work under the present NAMI Texas organization; as its role should primarily be as an advisory committee to the board of directors. Also, my ideal would be that the Consumer Council would be given the responsibilities of working directly with the consumer programs offered in NAMI Texas. In other words, the members of the council would be working members who would be held liable by both the state and national offices to coordinate the P2P, IOOV, and Connection programs. Several other state affiliates work like this and I think Texas needs to move in this direction as well. If elected, I will help make that happen.

NAMI TEXAS Fall 20082 7

Roadmapto recovery

Radisson Hill Country Resort, San Antonio9800 Westover Hills Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78251Reservations: (888) 201-1718 USATelephone: (210) 509-9800

Register now online at www.namitexas.org

For any questions, please call 512-693-2000

Make reservations under NAMI Texas’ special rate of $119 before September 22nd.

Mike Fitzpatrick

Michael Fitzpatrick is Executive Director of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Prior to January of 2004, he served both as the Director of NAMI’s Policy Research Institute and as NAMI’s National Director of Policy.

Mr. Fitzpatrick has served on numerous community, government and non-profit boards and expert panels. He has served as the President of the Board of the

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program in his home state of Maine, and he presently serves as the Chair of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform. He also serves on the Board of REACH (Resource for Advancing Children’s Health) Institute (2006).

Prior to joining NAMI in 1999, Mr. Fitzpatrick held senior management positions in state government, non-profit agencies, and the private sector where he developed successful education, employment, housing, outreach and rehabilitation programs.

Mr. Fitzpatrick has an MSW in Administration and Planning from Boston College. He also served in the Maine State Legislature, and from 1994-1996, he served as the House Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Radisson Hill Country ResortRadisson Hill Country Resort9800 Westover Hills Blvd., San Antonio, TX 782519800 Westover Hills Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78251Reservations: (888) 201-1718 USAReservations: (888) 201-1718 USATelephone: (210) 509-9800Telephone: (210) 509-9800

2008 NAMI Texas Annual ConferenceRegistration Form

Name:______________________________

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Consumers: $55.00Family and Friends: $75.00Professionals: $100.00

Mail checks to:NAMI TexasATTN: 2008 Conference2800 South IH 35, Suite 140Austin, TX 78704

Fax: 512.693.8000

October 17th and 18th, 2008

San Antonio

NAMI TEXAS Fall 200828 NAMI TEXAS Summer 200724

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AUSTIN, TXPERMIT NO. 3441Fountain Park Plaza III

2800 S. IH35, Suite 140Austin, TX 78704

To find a NAMI Texas affiliate in your area,call 1-800-633-3760 or visit www.namitexas.org

The State’s Voice on Mental Illness

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