2019JrNAD Motions

By participating in the general assembly, Jr. NAD members learn how meetings are run, how to make motions, and how to vote.

6. Schools for the deaf that have more resources should share such resources with other schools for the deaf.

Katie McClyman moved to nominate two delegates to attend the NAD Conference in Chicago, IL in 2020, and by the consensus of the Jr. NAD General Assembly, the 2020 Jr. NAD Delegates at the 2020 NAD Conference are: Aubrie Bauer and Natnail Tolossa.

Zara Thompson moved to open nominations for a Jr. NAD Chapter to host the 2023 Jr. NAD Conference*, and by consensus of the Jr. NAD Assembly, the winning bid for the 2023 Jr. NAD Conference site is: St. Mary School for the Deaf.

Rochester School for the Deaf Jr. NAD President, Emma Kane, led the kick off event.

By participating in the general assembly, Jr. NAD members learn how meetings are run, how to make motions, and how to vote. This interactive meeting gives them a taste of how the Council of Representatives meetings at the NAD Conferences are run, as well as board meetings across the country. Students learn how important it is to vote along with why and how their vote makes a difference.

If you are attending #NAD2020, grab the chance to meet our Jr. NAD Delegates Aubrie Bauer and Natnail Tolossa!

Chanel Gleicher Bonheyo is the Director of the NAD Youth Programs.

Our 2020 Jr. NAD Delegates, Natnail Tolossa and Aubrie Bauer.

In April of 2015, state representatives and former Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) Board member Gregory Porter and Christina Hale invited ISD students to serve as Statehouse Pages for the day. The Speaker of the House was impressed with students’ knowledge and participation. This was an awesome experience for ISD students between grades 7 and 12.

My Campaigning Experience

BY BONITA EWAN

I have been a registered voter since I was 18 years old. I have not run for office, but I definitely have worked hard in several different campaigns, whether it was for someone who was running for local or statewide office.

I first got involved with campaigning because I was worried about how the Governor and various legislators dealt with issues concerning my children who attended the deaf school. I was also troubled about how they appointed school board members who actually knew nothing about deaf education and sign language. I decided to visit the State Capitol a few times to observe other deaf leaders and how they interacted with our legislators. I got really enthusiastic after taking Deafhood courses; it made me realize that we are able to do more than we think. There were many events where interpreters were not available, but I couldn’t let that stop me from being an active participant in Indiana’s politics. It’s important to show up and make the most of it because if members of the Deaf community don’t show up, then others will make decisions for us. I brought paper and pen and found someone willing to write a summary of different presenters and their platforms.

I first started in 2012 by encouraging deaf people to register to vote. Deaf constituents don’t have access to voter education so they don’t know why it is important to register to vote. I learned I had more success if I encouraged people, one by one, to register. The voter drive was a big success with many deaf voters registering for the first time, even at 60