Dear SLN Members and Supporters,
Greetings and wishes for a happy new year to you and your families! I am honored to be assuming the role of Board Chair this year. As the California Chapter representative for two years, I am inspired to increase my involvement with the organization after experiencing SLN’s biannual conference last year. I am the middle sibling. I have a younger adult brother with autism and an intellectual disability. Robby inspires me to remain involved with the disability community. He has also guided my career in special education. I share our travel experience in this post after the SLN Conference. Over the last several years, I have transitioned to be his care provider as he has lived with me and my family. He has helped me celebrate the simple pleasures in life. But, taking on a caregiver role does come with challenges, which is why our SLN exists. May we continue to support and advocate for each other (and our siblings) in the year to come!
As we welcome this new year, I would like to take a moment to reflect upon 2019 and welcome in 2020! 2019 was a conference year for the SLN and I hope you were able to take part. Our seventh SLN conference was in June in St. Paul, MN. We had 118 attendees from 27 states, as well as Taiwan, India, and Zambia. Our reach is international! This year, we will begin planning for our summer 2021 conference so be on the lookout for more information to come this year.
I’d also like to thank everyone who contributed to our holiday donation drive. An anonymous donor committed to matching our donations and we met our goal! Because of this, SLN received a total of $6000 for your $3000 in donations. These funds will help us continue to do necessary, multi-faceted work.
2020 brings several leadership role changes. We would like to thank Lindsey Polansky as she concludes her role as Board Chair and transitions to the Outgoing Chair. I look forward to working with Lindsey to assume the Board Chair role this year. Let us also welcome Eric McVay to the role of Treasurer and Kelsey Sullivan to the role of Vice-Chair. Also, Jessica Buettner will continue with us this year in the role of Secretary. Please take a moment to read more about your volunteer Board of Directors here.
As we focus on expanding our membership this year, I encourage you to become more involved with the SLN. We all bring our unique experiences and perspectives to the group and we would love to hear from you! We all lead busy lives and recognize that involvement may look different for you; however, I encourage you to consider one of the following options to become involved.
- Participate in local grassroots movements on issues that are integral to sibship.
- Become a member or take on a leadership role within your state chapter.
- Help support the development of a state chapter if you live in one of the areas which hasn’t yet created a chapter.
- Connect with us and share your thoughts via our Facebook Page, Facebook Group, and on Twitter.
- Donate or increase your financial contribution to your chapter and/or the SLN’s national organization.
Thank you for all that you do for siblings, families, state SLN chapters and the Sibling Leadership Network. We recognize your support and continued involvement. I look forward to a year of growing our sphere of influence and impact on siblings. Well wishes and blessings to you all!
Nikki Donnelly, M.A.
SLN Chair