RTI Conference Reminder

From the Recreation Therapists of Indiana ()RTI)comes upcoming event information:

Join us in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana, for our annual conference. We will offer two days of exciting sessions and great networking.

2011 RTI Annual Conference
at IU Health Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington, Indiana
Date: Nov 17 & 18,2011

RTI's Mandy McQueeny Thanked

From Marieke Van Puymbroeck, President of the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) comes this:

A great big THANK YOU goes out to our very own Mandy McQueeny, who, on behalf of RTI, organized the RTI/ILRTA social at the ATRA annual conference in Indianapolis last week. This social was SOOO well attended- and due to her hard work, there were a lot of door prizes to win to represent our great state, as well as great food and drink.

THANK YOU MANDY!

Marieke (RTI president) and the RTI board

Clinical Internship Supervision Webinar

From Jean Folkerth via the ATRAnet comes this announcement:

Hello All!
Remember this Friday, a week from today, September 30 The webinar, Clinical Internship Supervision, will begin. This webinar is different from the rest of the webinars. How, you ask....well let me tell you.

1. There are readings you need to complete ahead of time so I will be sending you information as soon as I get your registration. If you are already registered, you will receive them this weekend.
2. There are assignments to complete.
3. There is a post test at the completion of the series which must be completed and sent in and has NOTHING to do with CEU's.
4. You will receive a certificate if you do all that is required.
5. You must take all four (4) of the webinars although you will only be charged for three (such a deal!!!)
6. Go to the the ATRA website to sign up.
7. Questions? Please contact me at jfolkerth@hotmail.com. DO NOT contact the ATRA office.

RTI Seeking Nominations

Members of the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) should be aware that nominations are being sought for the positions of RTI officers and board members.

RTI has Extended Call for Presentations

The Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) have extended the call for presentations at the 2011 RTI Conference to be held in Bloomington, November 17 & 18.

The new deadline is October 3, 2011. To submit go to www.rtindiana.com

Diane Skalko is ATRA President-Elect

It was announced at the ATRA Annual Conference in Indy that Diane Skalko, M.S., CTRS, has been elected President-Elect of ATRA. It has been my pleasure to know Diane since her undergraduate days at IU. She is a great choice to lead ATRA.

And did you notice, we will have two graduates of IU serving back-to-back as ATRA Presidents? Yes, both Vicki Scott, M.S., CTRS, and Diane are IU alums!

Vicki Scott is New ATRA President

At yesterday's luncheon at the ATRA Annual Conference, the new officers and board members were installed. Vicki Scott, M.S., CTRS, was installed as ATRA President.

It pleases me a great deal to have Vicki assume this important leadership role. Vicki has been a friend and colleague of mine for years. Plus she is a past IU RT student of mine having done here M.S. with us at IU.

NART is Launched!

The National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) held its inaugural meeting this evening. NART's first meeting was a reception held at LaRue Carter Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis. It is great to have NART officially launched!

ATRA Conference in Indy Going Really Well

At the Opening General Session of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Annual Conference in Indianapolis Sunday night it was announced that the attendance was more than 600. After 2 days at the conference, it seems to me that ATRA is having one of its best conferences in years.

Reminder: RTI Conference in Bloomington in November

The Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) recently sent out this reminder:

2011 RTI Annual Conference at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington,
Date: 17 & 18 Nov 2011

Join us in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana for our annual conference. We will offer two days of exciting sessions and great networking.

We encourage you to consider sharing with us the exciting and innovative interventions you use at your facility. Check out the call for presentations on the RTI website(due 9/25/11), and remember, speakers get a 50% reduction in conference registration!

At Sagamore Publishing Booth during ATRA

Please plan to stop by the Sagamore Publishing booth during the ATRA Conference to say "hi." The old Hoosier RT (aka, David Austin) plans to be at the Sagamore Publishing booth for much of the conference.

NART Inaugural Meeting in Indy

Around 20 Founding Fellows of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) have indicated they will attend the inaugural meeting of NART to be held in Indianapolis during ATRA.

Call for Papers from Activities Directors' Quarterly

From Linda Buettner, Ph.D., LRT, CTRS comes this announcement:

Greetings!

This is a call for manuscripts for Activities Directors' Quarterly for Alzheimer's and Other Dementias.
Activities Directors Quarterly specializes in providing meaningful therapeutic activities for the care of older adults in long-term care settings with Alzheimer's disease as well as all types of dementia.

We need your help!
Our goal is to provide relevant, high quality information from diverse sources and to serve as effectively as possible the needs of those involved in activities programs for people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. If you have information, articles, or manuscripts that would help us achieve these goals, we would like to hear from you.

Activities Directors' Quarterly publishes articles, lesson plans, program outlines, commentaries, and studies related to activities-based programs and research which would be of interest to activities directors, occupational therapists, and other professionals in long-term care, transitional care, and assisted-living facilities.

Over the past 11 years, Activities Directors' Quarterly has become a valuable tool for activities professionals worldwide dealing with dementia patients at all stages. I ask you to share your research and specialized activities so that others may benefit!

Please send your manuscripts to adq@pnpco.com .

Thank you for your consideration!

Very truly yours,
Linda Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS

NART Founding Members Remember RSVP

A reminder that National Academy of Recreational Therapy (NART) members should respond to the RSVP for the NART reception to take place September 20th in Indianapolis.

RTI Conference in Bloomington in November

It appears that I may be presenting some sessions at the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) Conference to be held in Bloomington November 17 and 18, 2011. I always enjoy doing our state conference as it tends to bring together many RTs that I wouldn't otherwise get to see. Should be fun.

ATRA Nearly Here

It hardly seems possible that the ATRA Annual Conference in Indianapolis is about a week away. Looking forward to it.

Cruise/TR Conference Spots Still Available

I just read a post on ATRAnet from Allyson Dedic, CTRS, who reported (I've shorted her message so email Allyson for details):

We have 10 spaces available on the cruise! At this time, the best rate for an inside cabin is $318.73 per person or $637.46 a cabin (you can also purchase insurance at $29.00 per person). This rate includes all of your on board meals. This rate is still MUCH less expensive than staying at a hotel!! Rate is subject to change daily. Reservations are made through Susan Owens 301-421-1956. Cruise cabins must be paid in full at the time of booking. If you are a single traveler, we may be able to pair you up with another traveler.

The registration for the conference is $150 for professionals and $100 for students (this is NOT included in the price of the cabin). Conference payment is made to Whitehall Boca. Please see the conference brochure on-line.

The brochure is now posted!!! Visit www.whitehallboca.com/conference.html to view it.

I appreciate everyone passing on this info to their colleagues! Please continue to email me with any questions (email is the best way to reach me!)
Thanks!
_______________________________________________
Allyson Dedic, CTRS
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
Whitehall Boca Raton
7300 Del Prado Circle South
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 237-3818 direct
(561) 392-6031 fax

National Academy of Recreational Therapists to Meet

The initial meeting of the newly formed National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) will be during ATRA Annual Conference in Indianapolis. A reception will be held for Founding Fellows on Tuesday, September 20th, from 6:00 to 7:30PM at LaRue Carter Hospital.

ATRAnet Listserv Gaining Numbers

Yesterday I posted on the ATRAnet listserv. When I did, I received a message saying there are now 278 individuals on ATRAnet. Thanks to Oklahoma State University for establishing and maintaining ATRAnet. It is a wonderful service for our professon.

I'm pleased ATRAnet keeps growing - but I really don't understand why any RT would not join ATRAnet as it provides a great way of communicating.

Inclusive & Special Recreation Again Available

I saw that Sagamore Publishing has announced it is making available the 5th edition of Inclusive & Special Recreation: Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The book hasn't been available from McGraw-Hill so I'm pleased Sagamore has picked it up.

ATRA in Indy Registration Strong

I recently read that the preregistration for the ATRA Annual Conference to be held in Indianapolis later this month is very strong. Being a Hoosier, it pleases me that so many RTs are coming to Indiana.

When I was an ATRA officer, Mary Jean Erwin and I attempted to establish a "mid-continent strategy" whereby the ATRA Annual Conference would be held in the middle of the USA every other year. (With it alternating east and west the other years.)

The thought behind the "mid-continent strategy" was that most ATRA members are from this region (e.g., Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, etc.) so they could drive and we would attract more members to our conference.

The "mid-continent strategy" has proven itself again with the strong attendance in Indianapolis. Other ATRA Annual Conferences at mid-continent locations, such as Cincinnati, Louisville, and Nashville, have likewise attracted large numbers.

Even though ATRA did not adopt the "mid-continent strategy" while I was on the Board, perhaps it is time for the ATRA Board to reconsider it.

RT Position Open at Montana State Hospital

From Beth Eastman, CTRS, comes this job announcemet:
Here is a new job posting for a CTRS position at the Montana State Hospital. Interested parties may contact Beth Eastman. See contact info below.
Health and Happiness,
~Beth

Beth Eastman, CTRS
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Montana State Hospital
PO Box 300
Warm Springs, MT 59756
406-693-7145
eeastman@mt.gov

p.s. The closing date is 9/16/2011

Glowing Book Review for Lessons Learned!

I just read the review of my new book, Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioenrs, that appeared in the most recent issue of the American Journal of Recreation Therapy.

The review, written by Professor Victoria Dawn Shelar, Ph.D., CTRS, is extremely postive. I plan to share quotes from her review in future RT Blog posts but for today let me provide the ending to the review. Shelar writes:

"Dr. Austin has provided yet another very practical text as a result of his dedication to the profession which he so passionately embraces. Current, future and retired therapists and educators will benefit by reading this text and opening thier heart and mind to the lessons so carefully presented. Enjoy."

RTI Conference Presentation Proposals Needed

The Recreation Therapists of Indiana need RTs to submit proposals for presentations.

September 22, 2011, is the deadline for the call for presentations for the Recreation Therapists of Indiana Conference. The 2011 RTI Conference will be held in Bloomington November 17 & 18.

For more information on the call and for online conference registration go to:
http//www.rtindiana.com/events

Open House for New Lab at UNCG

From Professor Lin Buettner of the University of North Carolina Greensboro comes an announcement of an open house for a new TR Lab. The Open House for the TR Lab will be Friday, September 23, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00PM at 247 Fergerson Building. Refreshments will be available.

September

September is Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

RTI Call for Presentations Deadline

I just returned from the International Epilepsy Congress in Rome to see this announcement from the Recreation Therapists of Indiana.

September 22, 2011, is the deadline for the call for presentations for the Recreation Therapists of Indiana Conference. The 2011 RTI Conference will be held in Bloomington November 17 & 18.

For more information on the call and for online conference registration go to:
http/www.rtindiana.com/events