President Andi Spear’s Address to Members at 2009 conference: 

I want to speak today about an organization that has heart and reaches out to those in need.  The North Carolina Association for Education of the Chronically Ill Child works for the kids in our school systems who are the weakest link yet have the greatest need.  We heard yesterday from families who need our support.  We have here today teachers who are hanging in there with a broken state Department of Public Instruction that needs us to work with those who don’t fit in the public vision of education, yet who need instruction and support in order to be productive adults in our society.  The days of hiding children who don’t fit the “perfect child” scenario are long gone.  We know, all of us here know, that the children whom we serve are terrific kids.  Those who can’t see that have blinders on. 

I was practically dragged into this organization on a dare.  I’m so glad that I took that dare.  I love the heart of NCAECIC.  I’m excited by our potential and enlightened by our history.  We have so much to do in the next few years.  This very small state organization CAN make a difference for children with disabilities in North Carolina.  We need people with heart to stand up and decide to make a difference.   I have become a much better teacher and person from my association with this group.  I have met people who are willing to fight Goliath with a slingshot.  AND they have won!  We can keep doing that, but we need more new people to keep us inspired and give us new challenges.  I started out as Secretary of an organization that I knew little about.  After just a few months, our President and leader died very suddenly.  Did NCAECIC fade away? NO!  Other members took up the wand and began to run as fast as they could.  We had inspiration.  We had vision.  Rob Gothson gave us a vision that at first seemed overwhelming, but we have made his vision become a reality.  Today we give scholarships to three well-deserving students because Rob saw that as a need that NCAECIC could fill.  We have collaborated with the School Nurse Association of NC and talked with legislators about the need for a full-time nurse in every school.   We have worked with the Family Support Network of NC who educated us on how to better serve the families of children with disabilities. 

After two years I became Vice President and worked with a young lady who had such drive and presence that she taught me, who was older than her own mother. Katie Vogel was hand-picked by Rob Gothson as another person of vision who would help NCAECIC reach its goals.  He was a very wise man. 

I must share this moment with our Treasurer, Judy Farley, who has been with me right from the start and never wavered in her donation to this organization of heart, strength, time and service.  She continues to serve as our Treasurer as we move into the unknown. 

Let me not forget those who have been there since the inception of this group and continue to support it in so many ways: Shirley Alpers, Susan Trabka, Faith Becker, Pat Thomas- and oh so many that I have not even met. 

I want to say a special word about our Vice President, Dan Worley.  He became Vice President on a dare, like me.  And he stayed, like me and worked way harder than we ever asked.  He is currently struggling with health issues and needs your prayers, but I do not doubt for a minute that he will be there working for us and for our kids way into the future. 

All of you can be proud that you belong to this organization.  We need you to step up and take a role.  We asked everyone here this week to sign up to work on one of our committees.  Believe me, when I say, you will be a better person for doing so.  We also need someone to step up to take the job of leader.  I have committed myself to a different need this year that I must do.  I will never leave this group and I want to help the Government Relations committee, but I cannot continue as the President.  It is not a thankless job.  Instead, it is a chance to see visions come true and to work with people with heart who know how to give, and give, and give.  I know that you are here.  Please se me, or Judy, or Shirley or Katie before you leave today and we will give you a leg up to the best job that you have ever had! 

Thank you, all of you for lifting me up when I was down, for following my, sometimes erratic directions, and for letting me fly with you by sharing your angels’ wings. 
 

Andi Spear, Past President

NCAECIC 
 
 

ADDENDUM

This was given at the Business Meeting during the 2009 NCAECIC Conference in Charlotte.  No one has yet found the call to be our leader.  If there is anyone out there who would like to learn more about the position, please email me with your questions.  All communication will be done via email and the website so check it frequently.  Committees have goals on which to work over the next 18 months.  The next conference will be in Wilmington in the spring of 2011.  If you missed the conference, but feel inspired to work on one of the committees, please email the chairperson. 

Andi Spear