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Photo by Britt Patterson ,
Hanover Arc   

The Arc of Virginia #6016

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About The Arc of Virginia

Mission & Vision       Board of Directors       Staff       Core Values       Family Involvement Project

Position Papers         Newsletters        Press Releases       

2008 Annual State Convention        2006 & 2007 Annual Leadership Awards Luncheon      

Purchase Our 2008 Advocacy Calendar

The Arc of Virginia is affiliated with The Arc of the United States and is the state chapter in Virginia. When you join one of Virginia's local chapters, you automatically become a member of both The Arc of Virginia and The Arc of the United States and are eligible for the benefits and privileges of membership in these organizations as well as those of the local chapter.

Advocacy is a key component of our identity as The Arc of Virginia.  We speak out on issues that affect people with mental retardation or related developmental disabilities and their families.  But more importantly, we help people with disabilities, family members, friends, and others become advocates themselves. 

You can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.  By communicating with legislators and by generally educating them about disability issues, you can help shape policy and law at the federal, state, or local level.

Join The Arc in making our vision of a community where people with disabilities are valued as classmates, coworkers, neighbors, citizens and friends come true!

Mission

The Arc of Virginia advocates for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and their families, so they may all lead productive and fulfilling lives. 

With 1 in 10 families impacted by mental retardation, this issue is relevant in every community.  In response, The Arc of Virginia works for the creation of individualized and self-determined community-based supports through leadership, advocacy, and education.

Vision

People with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities are valued as classmates, coworkers, neighbors, citizens and friends.

Board of Directors

The Arc of Virginia is governed by a Board of Directors that meets five times throughout the year.  Each local chapter has a representative on the board; other members are elected at-large.  Officers are elected by representatives of the local chapters at the Annual Meeting in the Spring. 

The current directors are:

OFFICERS:
Howard Cullum, President
Nita Grignol, Past President
Sue Sargeant, President-Elect
Amy Yarcich, Vice-President
Barbara Barrett, Secretary
Jeannie Cummins, Treasurer

PEOPLE FIRST REPRESENTATIVES
Katherine Olson
Oscar Turner

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES:
Jessica Burmester, Fairfax
Raymond Burmester, Fairfax
Becky Clark, Fredericksburg
Jill Egle, Fairfax
Deborah Gribben, Henrico
Ron Grignol, Henrico
Becky Romaine, Henrico
Gloria Watford, Henrico
 

CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES:
Glenn Slack, The Arc of Augusta
Jason Witt, The Arc of Central Virginia
Carl Clark, Danville ARC/Hatcher Center
Margaret Downing, The Arc of Eastern Shore
Joel Cassada, Jr., The Arc of Hailfax
Clifton Price, The Arc of Hanover
Mary Ellen Chewning, The Arc of Harrisonburg & Rockingham
Clarissa Young, The Arc of Lenowisco
Carol Mills, The Arc of Loudoun County
Becky Ball, The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley
Carrin Brandt, The Arc of Northern Virginia
James Hines, The Arc of the Peninsula
Sharon Lewis, The Arc of Petersburg
Lee Covington, The Arc of the Piedmont
Obediah Baker, The Arc of Greater Prince William
Matt Shomper, The Arc of Rappahannock
Joyce Hann, The Greater Richmond ARC
Shirley Hellmuth, The Arc of Rockbridge
Didi Zaryczny, The Arc of Roanoke Valley
Susan Snead, ARC Smyth County
Carol Olson, The Arc of Warren County
Nancy Shafer, The Arc of Greater Williamsburg
 

Staff

Jamie Trosclair, Executive Director
Debra Holloway, Family Involvement Project
Vicki Hardy-Murrell, Federation of Families

Core Values of
The Arc of the United States
 

PREAMBLE

From its beginning, a major strength of The Arc movement has been that parents, family members and volunteers have governed the organization. In recent years, self-advocates have also assumed important roles. Parents, family members, self-advocates and other volunteers are the driving force in The Arc. From the grassroots of The Arc come the dreams, the philosophy that drives the core values, the ability to shape public policy and the mutual support that parents and self-advocates provide for one another.

Core values of The Arc are those values that are subscribed to and pursued at all three levels of The Arc – national, state chapter and local chapters by volunteer and staff leaders.

THE CORE VALUES ARE:

People First.
The Arc believes that all people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect. The Arc represents, supports and acts on behalf of individuals and their families regardless of level of disability or membership in The Arc. The Arc believes in self-determination by empowering people with the supports needed to make informed decisions and choices.

Democracy.
A democratic process involving members, through affiliated chapters, is utilized to take positions on important issues, policies and programs.

Visionary Leadership.
The Arc leads by promoting the mission, core values and position statements. We lead with integrity, accountability, and by open, honest and timely communication. We work with individuals, organizations and coalitions in a collaborative fashion. There is a valued partnership with volunteer and staff leadership at all levels of the organization that provides mutual support for their respective roles.

Community Participation.
The Arc works toward and believes in the community imperative: that all people have the fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to live, learn, work, play and worship in safe and healthy communities of their choosing. The Arc has responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of individuals.

Diversity.
The Arc values and insists upon diversity in its leadership and membership. The Arc actively pursues and welcomes diverse groups (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and level of disability).

Integrity and Excellence.
The Arc conducts its business with integrity. The Arc reflects quality and excellence in all its work.

Approved by the Delegate Body, October, 2000

The Arc of Virginia Advocacy News

Fall 2007     Spring 2007     Winter 2006     Fall 2006     Spring 2006

The Arc of Virginia's
2008 Advocacy Calendar

 $7.00 each
To place your order, print and fax or mail our order form or contact:  Amy Butler, abutler@arcofva.org
(804) 649-8481 ext. 100,   (804) 649-3585 FAX
Click here for a flyer about the calendars.

Revised 05/12/08