Enrique Vega, President
Robin Burman, Vice President
Steven Jacobs, Treasurer
Lisa Broering, Secretary
Carmen Roman, Member at Large (LA)
Frank Diaz, Member at Large (No Calif)
Mark Remas, Member at Large (SD)
Ellie Ettner, Past-President (2004-2008)
 
What a great way to start out the new (chapter) year with the participation of so many professionals from a variety of disciplines in the rehabilitation field. Our chapter was well represented at the IARP Leadership Conference held in Los Angeles, California. 72 members, or 30% of the California Chapter, attended the conference. This is an outstanding show of support for our organization as well as a demonstration of the commitment California has to building a comprehensive and dynamic organization. Our chapter hosted a reception for the California members on Saturday during which time the IARP Board came to offer congratulations and support. One of our own chapter members was honored by IARP at the Friday luncheon. Raisa Mironowski received the 2008 Outstanding Rehabilitation Nurse award. We are honored to have her as a member and proud of her long-standing contributions to the field of rehabilitation and nursing; our standing ovation demonstrated that pride we have for one of our own. The new board already has identified a number of workshops and initiatives. Our motto is "In-it-for-a-Minute" a day. Spending a minute a day reviewing the IARP web page, or reading/sending an email to a colleague, or reviewing the chapter initiatives and deciding on which initiative would be the most interesting to spend that minute are examples of how a member can donate that minute a day. Members can pool their minutes or join their minutes with other members' minutes to work on an initiative together. A lot of people each doing their small part of the work means a vital organization alive with energy, innovation, and spirited support.
 
 
Ellie J. Ettner, MS, CRC, CDMS
Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
Unum