FORTH QUARTER 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
3
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT: GREG CATES
5
NADR 2020 CONFERENCE
5
2019 NETWORKING WEEKEND
10
MENTORSHIP TESTIMONY
11
NADR 2020 CONFERENCE AGENDA
CONTENTS
NADR NEWSLETTER FORTH QUARTER 2019
IN THIS ISSUE 3
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT: GREG CATES
4
NADR 2020 CONFERENCE
5
2019 NETWORKING WEEKEND
10
MENTORSHIP TESTIMONY
11
NADR 2020 CONFERENCE AGENDA
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT Greetings
Board member to make us aware of your interests or concerns. Once again, I am dedicating NADR 2020 to a year of service‌service to NADR, service to our clients and service to our communities. It is gratifying for me to see the media posts of our members and their organizations when they are giving something extra to their communities and clients. The only problem I see is that there are either a small percentage of members doing these things or we are not patting ourselves on the back in public. I am asking that each one of you does something positive, in addition to your daily routine of helping claimants, for one hour per month. Please post positive stories and anecdotes to the Forum or forward to our Social Media committee to post. This will encourage others and increase the NADR profile. I believe that it would be a positive impact for people beyond NADR to know who we are and what we do.
II hope that all members and their families had a Happy Thanksgiving. Now we enter the season filled with hope and a new beginning in the New Year. The Board of Directors, administrative staff and I wish you all a very happy holiday season and Happy New Year. For NADR, 2019 has been a good year. Despite some rulings that may impact our clients and our practice, we have had positive responses from SSA on several agenda items. The Legislative Committee has experienced an increase in the willingness of SSA to be more accessible and more willing to communicate on just about all levels. This is a significant improvement over the past several years. This, by no means indicates that NADR will not face challenges in 2020. We are entering a major election cycle and several bills are pending that may have a dramatic and potentially positive impact on SSA and its future. So, please, make your voices heard. Participate in the NADR Phone2Action and e-blast projects to reach out to the Congress and Senate members in your district.
All NADR members should be excited about the 2020 conference in Puerto Rico, April 4-8, 2020. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in a unique setting that will provide learning, networking and fun throughout the meeting. You owe it to yourself to attend. Bring the family. Almost everyone learns a tidbit or two that will result in winning an additional case or two, making the return on your conference investment positive. So, please help make NADR 2020 a rousing success.
NADR, as an organization, is on sound financial footing and prepared to meet the potential challenges. We have an excellent collection of Board members to see NADR it through 2020 and beyond. It’s amazing how many moving parts there are in an organization like NADR and we all owe a great deal of gratitude to the Board for their level of commitment. We have increased our ability to assess and respond to legislative or SSA action by recently adding a Government Affairs Liaison to our staff. There is much still to do. I would like to see greater participation and involvement by all members, not just the Board members. Get involved at the committee level to provide input on issues that concern or impact you. Contact me or a NADR NEWS
I look forward to seeing each one of you in Puerto Rico. Greg 3
FORTH QUARTER 2019
2019 NADR NETWORKING WEEKEND…. truly highlighted before, is the Board Retreat. This is the Board’s annual strategy meeting. We on-board the new board members and bring them up to speed as quickly as possible and then we discuss the strategy for the next year (or more). It’s at this meeting that the incoming President has an opportunity to discuss his/her goals for the association. I’d like to take a minute and compliment Greg Cates as our new President for his thoughtful approach to this year’s Board Retreat. Greg has served NADR for many years as a Director at Large and for the past two as the Vice President. He has brought some great thought leadership to the table that I’m hopeful will really impact NADR in a positive way. To echo his sentiments at our meeting, I’d like to invite each member to engage. It’s through engagement that you as a member finds return on investment.
For those of you who haven’t yet joined us for our annual networking weekend, let me just say, you’re missing out! (Do I sound like a broken record yet?!) The best part of the networking weekend is the people. They really make the trip worth it. Not just because they are a fun, entertaining bunch. But because they have such varied vocational backgrounds – you have conversations with people who have such different professional expertise they are bringing to the table. My team works hard to build the networking weekend around the “down time” – meaning, there is a little bit of actual education, some built-in networking – but mostly a lot of time for you to connect with your peers in a relaxed and unintimidating way. This year I was curious if a place as overwhelming as Vegas – could really host our event and allow for these conversations. I discovered that it really isn’t the place. Sure we ate like kings at Hells Kitchen and watched baseball in the sports book and many of us took a spin on the High Roller – but really, there were conversations happening all over the place about this profession, the highs and the lows, the wins and the losses. The point is connection!
As I’ve said before, you all amaze me. Your spirit and passion for this tedious work is impressive. You all have something to share – whether you know it or not. I hope you’ll consider joining us next year for the 2020 Networking Weekend.
Another part of the week, and not one that I’ve
NADR NEWS
5
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR MENTOR
so mediocre in comparison to the value I’ve received. Words are just words and there aren’t enough to express how incredible NADR’s mentorship program has been to me. I simply won the mentor lottery and then some. Karl, one of the busiest and most successful disability attorneys in the country, will stop whatever he is doing to help me. No question is too stupid (even if I ask the same one several times) and no topic is off limits. Karl has helped me with legal questions and business questions. He’s advised me on how to talk to claimants, assembly-line-type procedures, and vocational expert testimony. He’s shared information with me that I didn’t initially understand, but soon realized why he knew I needed it. Above all, he’s become a friend, which I value most. Through his example, I am inspired to find ways to help others and will forever been indebted to him for his time and wisdom.
1. What prompted you to sign up for NADR’s Mentorship Program? As a new representative, I quickly learned that disability law is complex and very case specific. There is no such thing as a cookiecutter case. When people are relying on me in a tremendously vulnerable and emotional period in their life, it is imperative to ensure that I am doing everything in my power to provide representation that comprehensively serves their best interest. This is a tall order. (Pun intended, Karl). Online publications and legal publications provide a wealth of information, but those resources only go so far. Although informative, they tend to be flat and lifeless. Where these resources are lacking, my mentor adds vibrant color and life to representing disability claimants. Through my mentor, I have over 30 years of history and wisdom at my disposal. For each question I ask or client story I share, my mentor has been there, knows how to handle the situation and how to advise me in a way that helps me become a better attorney and most importantly, helps my client secure financial freedom. Even more, when I experience success, I have someone to celebrate with me—someone who actually knows what that success feels like. And in moments of defeat, I have someone to encourage and lift me up and gently guide me (and my client) through the hope that still exists for their claim.
3. Would you recommend the program to someone else just getting started as a disability advocate? Absolutely. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t rely on Karl’s advice. This work is both emotionally taxing and rewarding. It requires a skill set that is multifaceted and most days, I extend myself beyond what I thought was possible. Having an ally that understands this and someone in your corner who can anticipate the next step in your journey and advise the best path is simply invaluable. NADR’s mentor program has a ripple effect and impact that extends beyond what any of us can imagine.
2. Explain the most valuable aspect of your experience so far. I’ve literally tried to write this in a dozen different ways and have scraped each attempt because it didn’t feel like enough. I’m finally forcing myself to share something that seems NADR NEWS
6
FORTH QUARTER 2019
Social Security Disability Claim Denied?
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Quality Representation Your Clients Deserve!
Nationwide Federal Court Appeals Effortless Disability Claims Review Most Importantly… STRONG WIN RATE!
888‐774‐PAID (7243) fdc@ssihelp.us
DAVID F. CHERMOL, ESQ.
www.myphiladelphiadisabilitylawyer.com
At Disability Health Advocates, we specialize in teaching Social Security Disability law firms and non-attorney representatives how to earn significant additional income by educating their clients about the Medicare Health Plan that best fits the client's needs. We teach you how to help your clients in a transparent and ethical way, while remaining compliant with all State Bar Rules and Medicare Marketing guidelines. This presents an excellent income stream opportunity for you, because you would receive $482 ($601 in CA & NJ, $554 CT, DC, PA) first year as well as a $241 ($301 in CA & NJ, $271 CT, DC, PA) annual renewal for each of your clients that you help enroll into a plan. Not only are you providing your clients with an additional, and much needed service, but you are also adding significant income to your bottom line. We provide complete training and support at no cost to you! Complete the Circle of Service, contact us today!
www.disabilityhealthadvocates.com
NADR NEWS
7
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR 2020 AGENDA
20/20 NAdR NADR NEWS
8
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR 2020 AGENDA
(CONTINUED)
20/20 NAdR NADR NEWS
9
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR 2020 AGENDA
(CONTINUED)
20/20 NAdR NADR NEWS
10
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR 2020 AGENDA
(CONTINUED)
20/20 NAdR NADR NEWS
11
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR NEWS
12
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR NEWS
13
FORTH QUARTER 2019
NADR MENTORING GUIDE (For MENTO R
S and MENT
EES)
Board of Director s 2014-2015 President Robert McDowell Elizabethtown, KY Vice President Steve Skinner Redding, CA
Mentor Guide Sub-Committee, Earline
Secretary Philip Litteral Ashland, KY
Marchand, and the following folks on her
Treasurer Michael Wener Memphis, TN
Committee for their hard work on the production of the NADR Mentoring Guide.
Directors-at-Large Karen Starr Grand Rapids, MI Greg Cates Memphis, TN
Please consider signing uptio as a Mentor or a NADR Na
Patty Sexton Wauna, WA
Mentee after
Barbara Manna Pittsburgh, PA
nal Office PO Box 96503 #3 0550 Washithrough reading the guidelines. ngton, DC 2009 0-6503
We are hopeful that this will be another
NADR National Offi ce Administrators Eva Sirman 202-822-2155 eva@nadr.org Julie Phelps 202-822-2155 admin@nadr.or g
NADR PO Box 96503 Washington, DC 20090-6503 Phone: (202) 822 -2155 Fax (972) 245-67 01 Web Site: www.n adr.org
NADR NEWS
NADR would like to thank the chair of the
14
invaluable NADR member benefit. Mentor Guide Sub-Committee Earline D. Marchand Carol Balderee Sherrell Rodgers Steven Gragg Brandy Bowdry Dedra Wood FORTH QUARTER 2019
Happy Holidays A Special Holiday Discount for NADR Members
NADR is pleased to share the following discount information with our members. The Bush Manuals have been a staple in many Social Security Disability practices for years. We hope these resources are helpful. Normal price for either book is $269. 30% off should be $188.30. Buying the Thomas Bush book will get you the Morton’s book for free. This is only for the digital version. The paper version is 20% off with free shipping. The book links, if you would like a preview are: • Thomas Bush - Social Security Disability Practice • David Morton - Medical Issues in Social Security Disability If you would like to take advantage of this deal, please log into your NADR account and go HERE for redemption information.
a Sirman 2-822-2155 a@nadr.org
lie Phelps 2-822-2155 min@nadr.org
ADR
Box 96503 ashington, DC 20090-6503 one: (202) 822-2155 x (972) 245-6701 eb Site: www.nadr.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018 - 2019
President C. Greg Cates, EdD., ADR Memphis, TN
Vice President Michael Wener, ADR Memphis, TN
Secretary Clifford Berkley, ADR Fullerton, CA
Treasurer Christopher Mazzulli, ADR Baltimore, MD
Director At Large Kelly Blad, ADR Cook, MN
Director At Large Melissa Smith, ADR St. Louis, MO
Director At Large Meredith Marcus
Director At Large Sherrell Rodgers
Director At Large Carl Groves
NADR News is published by NADR and is the property of the National Association of Disability Representatives. Copyright 2016, NADR. The articles appearing in the NADR News do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NADR. The accuracy and content of each article is the responsibility of the individual writer.
NADR NEWS
16
FORTH QUARTER 2019