IN THIS ISSUE

3 A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

4 NADR NETWORKING WEEKEND

5 ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NADR MEMBERSHIP

6 NADR LEGISLATIVE TRIP SUMMARY

7 NADR NETWORKING WEEKEND

I must admit, I struggled on how to write my last contribution to the NADR Newsletter as president of this great organization. I’ve spent the last 9 years on the Board, the last 2 as president. There have been a lot of great moments but it also hasn’t come without challenges and adversity. But without challenges and adversity, how do you grow?

Prior to becoming president, I had the honor of serving under 4 great mentors in Bob McDowell, Steve Skinner, Phil Litteral and Greg Cates, all who along with the previous NADR Presidents, paved the way for NADR to be what it is today. I counted 22 other Board members I’ve served with over the years and each one of them have left their mark on the organization.

Since joining the Board in 2014, we’ve seen a lot of change. 4 different commissioners, A LOT of regulatory changes (including much tighter rules for representatives), agency budgetary challenges, staffing issues within SSA, backlogs at all levels….on and on and on. Oh, and a little thing called COVID 19. Yet, throughout all the curveballs thrown at representatives and claimants, NADR was at the forefront through our Legislative team. NADR has responded to each challenge by going to The Hill to meet with congressional leaders and SSA staff to convey the messages from the frontlines on how regulations work for and against the disability program.

During the Pandemic, NADR continued to be in constant contact with SSA staff and The Hill to ensure the level of service did not suffer. Agency staffing levels are at a 25 year low and backlogs at some levels have reached an all time high. This has and will never be an acceptable excuse when claimants are at risk. NADR will always continue the fight and work with SSA to improve customer service along with the claimant and representative experience.

When we heard the ever increasing cry of our members’ inability to keep going because SSA could not simply pay the representative fees that were hard earned, we LISTENED. We ACTED. Through the Missing Fees project, NADR has been able to collect over $1.63 million (and counting) in overdue representative fees. Because of NADR’s initiative, several members have said they are able to keep their doors open, retain employees and most importantly, help their clients obtain benefits they need to survive.

Lastly, I have to mention the one thing that is most personal to me. It’s a benefit that I alone have reaped from being a member of NADR and not even because of my term on the Board. Back in April 2015, I met our Talklist Sheriff Shirley Jenks, at the Conference in Austin, TX. I didn’t know it at the time, but the friendship we kindled then would turn into so much more. So much more that we became engaged at the Puerto Rico Conference last year and married earlier this year. I’m not saying that the networking opportunities and friendships you make at NADR events will lead to such things, but you never know!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. My door is always open. I’ll see you in New Orleans and beyond.

Michael Wener, ADR NADR President