AGENDA-DSOSN ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (AGMM)
APRIL 13, 2025, BETTY’S VILLAGE, STARTING AT 1:00 PM
SESSION-1:
INTRODUCTION RECOGNITION
1. Chair calls the meeting to order (Chair introduced to the stage by Nikki)
2. Pledge of Allegiance (led by Aliah)
3. Welcome and brief introduction/outline of Agenda by Chair
4. Performance by the DSOSN Awesome Shock Dance Troupe
5. Linda Esposito, Secretary, announces our Member of the Year (show video)
6. Recognition of Volunteers (Linda, assisted by Chair)
7. George Carden makes a brief presentation about the upcoming Easter Fest event (introduced by Matt)
8. Presentation by Guest Speaker, Catherine Nielsen (introduced by Sophia)
BREAK – FIVE MINUTES
SESSION-2: ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS MATTERS
1. Chair calls meeting back to order and introduce NCC
2. NCC introduces his committee and announces rules on the following:
Process for nomination/election of Board candidates
Rules on voting remotely by members on Zoom
Distribution of ballots to both remote and in-person voting members
NCC briefly introduce Board Candidates
NCC invites each candidate to give a 2-minute presentation
3. Linda makes a presentation on DSOSN Standing Committees:
Role as coordinator/Announces her assistant
Discuss vacant positions on Standing Committees
Appeal to general membership to fill vacancies
4. Diana speaks on the importance of social media to the organization
5. Chair’s Presentation on State of the Organization
Updates on Programs (existing/developing programs)
Financial status/needs of the organization
Organizational Goals for the coming year
BREAK (Serve Refreshments)
SESSION-3: ELECTION OF BOD CANDIDATES & OPEN DISCUSSION
1. Chair calls meeting back to order
2. NCC coordinates voting for candidates to the Board of Directors:
Manages/coordinates distribution of ballots for members voting remotely
Circulate ballots to/collect ballots from) members attending in-person
3. Chair facilitates Open Discussion with attendees (while Nominating Committee tabulates votes)
4. NCC announces the result of the election/newly elected BOD Members take group photo with Catherine
5. The chair makes closing remarks
6. Chair calls for adjournment of meeting
Peter Whittingham, Board Chair
Message from the Chair
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I take great pleasure in welcoming our members, families, friends, and supporters to this, our Annual General Membership Meeting-2025.
The past year was a one with various challenges, even as it was a year with some very notable and memorable accomplishments. The challenges were mostly noticeable by our Board Members (failure to attain our ambitious financial goals; hire professional staff; and complete our five-year strategic plan). However, with the assistance of a wonderful pool of volunteers, the many successes and accomplishments we achieved far outweighed the challenges. Indeed, over the past year, we saw significant growth and development in almost all areas of the organization: our membership grew, both in number and diversity; participation in our programs has never been higher, and last year, our two signature fundraising events, Buddy Walk and Festival of Trees and Lights, were more successful than they have been in the recent history of organization. The tremendous success of these events, has, in part, made it possible for us to sustain the implementation of some of our most popular programs (Art Class, Dance, and Performing Arts), and importantly, complete the built-out of amenities in our office building, which eventually resulted in the Building Dedication of what is now our DSOSN-Christopher Smith Learning Center.
Challenges notwithstanding, we have never been in a better place than we are now to achieve the long and elusive goal of becoming a full-service organization to address the individual needs of our members. It is against this background that we ask our members and supporters to accept this message as a call to action for all of us to come together and make this not just an organizational goal, but a collective purpose that we will pursue with passion, drive, and determination.
Let this not be just another Annual General Membership Meeting: Instead, let it be the day when we recommit ourselves to not just get involved, but to stay involved; to not just sit and observe, but to actively participate, and to not just follow, but to lead...Lead as a parent, lead as a member, and lead as an advocate for our loved ones. If you share this vision, “We invite you to be a branch or a leaf on our tree of life, as we grow together.”
Nevada
Guest Speaker
Catherine Nielsen, MPA Executive Director
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
Catherine Nielsen is a passionate advocate, caregiver, and leader dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD), where she works to advance policy, promote inclusion, and amplify the voices of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Catherine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science, a Master’s in Public Administration, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Human Services. Drawing from her own journey navigating hearing loss, epilepsy, caregiving for her husband through life-threatening health challenges, and parenting a child with chronic illness, she brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work. Her leadership blends lived experience with strategic advocacy to drive meaningful systems change and inspire resilience in others.
DSOSN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECRETARY
Linda Esposito
Antoinette Hernandez Jeremy Anderson
Earnest Afatika
Dr. Vicki Schmidt
Salvatore Moccio
Mark LeNoir
1.
DSOSN MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Selection Criteria
DSOSN Ambassador in good standing: Active participant in DSOSN activities and events; demonstrated behavior that is an example for other peer-members
2. Actively participate in signature fundraising events: Selected as Buddy Walk Grand Marshall; secure one or more donors to purchase one of the sponsorship levels for the Festival of trees and Lights gala event
3. Advocacy: Actively promotes awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and other intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) within the community 4.
Leadership: Exhibits leadership qualities by taking initiative in projects or programs that benefit members of the organization
5. Support for others: Provides emotional and/or practical support to other members and families affiliated with the organization.
6. Volunteerism: Willingness and availability to volunteer for events and activities sponsored by the organization
7. Community Engagement: Engages with the broader community to foster inclusion and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome and other IDD
8. Positive Impact: Has made a measurable positive impact on the lives of individuals within the organization. 9. Collaboration: Works well with other members, DSOSN supporters, and community partners to achieve common goals.
10. Inspiration: Serves as a role model and inspiration to others, by demonstrating a positive attitude and resilience.
11. Commitment to Mission: By demonstrated behavior and social interaction, shows unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada.
DSOSN Standing Committees
1. Finance Committee
2. Fundraising Committee
3. Building and Capital Asset Management Committee
4. Public Relations, Social Media, and Community Outreach Committee
5. Data Collection, and Information Technology Committee,
6. Membership Committee
7. Program Development/Implementation Committee
8. Social Events/Activities Planning Committee
9. Volunteer Coordinating Committee
10. Personnel and Human Resource Committee
General Guidelines
Although specific roles and responsibilities of the chairpersons and committees will vary, the following are some "Standardized Responsibilities" assigned to the chairperson of each committee:
• Hold regular committee meetings (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly).
• Solicit agenda items from committee members: prepare and circulate agenda in a timely manner.
• Conduct meetings in a professional manner, and with respect for all members.
• Prepare minutes for each meeting and circulate prior to the next meeting.
• The chairperson shall maintain an electronic file with copies of the minutes for all committee meetings, and forward copies of the minutes to the Secretary for filing.
• Give formal recognition and appreciation to committee members for outstanding work.
• Prepare progress reports/updates on projects/assigned tasks when requested by the BOD/Secretary.
• Appear before the BOD, when requested by the Chair, Secretary, or on the designated BOD member who is assigned oversight responsibility for the committee.
• The Executive Director may be designated as an exofficio member of committees, as approved by the Board Chair
• Standing Committees, with their assigned members, will be posted on the Organization's website.
Social Media Importance and Relevance
1. Awareness and Education: Social media platforms provide an opportunity to raise awareness about Down syndrome and educate the community about the challenges and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome. By sharing informative content, success stories, and educational resources, DSOSN can help dispel myths and preconceptions and foster understanding and inclusion.
2. Community Building: Social media allows DSOSN to create a supportive online community where families, friends, and supporters can connect. I strongly believe that businesses and philanthropic organizations are looking for ways to connect and give back. The sense of belonging can be vital for individuals and families navigating their new normal, looking for a space to share experiences, seek advice, and even celebrate all the little wins.
3. Fundraising and Donations: Social media is an effective tool for fundraising campaigns. By promoting events, sharing impactful stories, and highlighting the need for financial contributions, DSOSN can reach a wider audience in their efforts to encourage participation and donations to support their fundraising events.
4. Engagement and Advocacy: Social media provides a platform for advocacy, allowing DSOSN to engage with followers on important issues related to Down syndrome and the general IDD service population. By sharing calls to action, information about legislative changes, and issues for community involvement, the organization can mobilize supporters to advocate for policy changes that benefit our entire disability community.
5. Event Promotion: Whether it’s awareness events, fundraising activities, or community gatherings, social media is a powerful tool for promoting events. By sharing and engaging with our posted content, you can help DSOSN increase the reach with our community and visibility for our initiatives.
6. Storytelling and Impact: Social media allows DSOSN to share powerful stories that showcase the impact of our work. By highlighting personal stories of individuals, we can illustrate that our members are more alike than different, inspiring others to get involved and/or support our cause.
7. Collaboration and Partnerships: Engaging on social media can lead to collaborations with other organizations, businesses, and influencers. These partnerships can amplify DSOSN’s message, expand it’s reach, and create more opportunities for support and resources.
In summary, social media is an essential tool for the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada: It enhances its ability to raise awareness, foster community engagement, encourage the participation of supporters, and ultimately make a greater impact in the lives of those diagnosed with Down syndrome and other IDDs. Please join the effort to help spread the good experiences our members are having from attending programs and events at DSOSN. The “share button” is a powerful tool to use, especially when accompanied by your personal comments. When you scroll through and view an existing post, feel free to add your comments and share our content on your personal social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)…this will help us to grow. I invite you to help me use our social media platform to continue planting seeds of inclusion and awareness for our wonderful organization throughout the community
Public Relations/Social Media Accomplishments
Demographic Reach: Social media allows non-profits to reach diverse demographic groups. For instance, 79% of Millennials and 79% of Gen Z members are more likely to engage with non-profits on social media, making these platforms essential for engaging younger supporters.
Cost-Effectiveness: Social media marketing is deemed one of the most cost-effective methods for non-profits to promote their causes. Studies show that organizations can achieve a return on investment of up to 400% through well-executed social media campaigns.
MEMORABLE EVENTS-2024
Here are a few links of some memorable events over the past year that were shared with a wider audience, through our social media platform:
DSOSN is committed to developing and implementing programs that will meet the growing and changing needs of our members. To meet this commitment, all programs fall under our three Core Pillars: Education, Employment, and Independent Living. The programs are also designed with a person-centered approach, and scalable to meet the individual needs of our members, based upon their abilities. While we fully appreciate the limitations of some of our members, the intent is to create an environment where all our members can maximize their know and unrealized potentials.
ART PROGRAM
ENGLISH TRIFOLD
SPANISH TRIFOLD
DSOSN BUILDING DEDICATION
EVENT….FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
WE DEDICATE THE NAME OF OUR BUILDING TO COMMEMORATE AND PRESERVE THE MEMORY OF A LOVING SON, CHRISTOPHER SMITH
