VAISEF 40th Anniversary Spring Conference

The Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities

Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence in Private Special Education

2013 Spring Conference & Membership Meeting

After its birth in 1973, VAISEF is now turning 40 and is celebrating the excellence in private special education that it has come to exemplify. Below you will find the program and details of our 40^th anniversary conference. We hope that you can attend to help celebrate this important milestone, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

For the second year in a row, VAISEF has made a commitment to offering a wide-range of educational programming for our members. This year, programming has been split into four content areas that can benefit a wide-range of staff at our facilities; executive leaders, administrators, teachers, and therapeutic services professionals. A day-rate is being offered to encourage more individuals from your facility to attend. While the schedule and speakers are not fully finalized, below you will find the tracks being offered and the presentation subjects that we have secured or are working to secure.

GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, April 24

• 1:00 PM – Accreditation Committee Meeting
• 2:00 PM – Membership Services Committee Meeting
• 3:00 PM – Ways & Means Committee Meeting
• 4:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting
• 6:30 PM – “Roast & Toast” Retirement Celebration of Judith Lemke and Dave Williams at The Homestead Mountain Lodge

Thursday, April 25

Conference Programming – Excellence in Private Special Education

• 8:00 AM – Conference Registration & Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – Welcome & Keynote Presentation
• 10:15 AM – Breakout Sessions (see above)
• 12:30 PM – Lunch & Keynote Presentation
• 2:30 PM – Breakout Sessions (see above)

40^th Anniversary Celebrations

• 5:30 PM – Past President’s Cocktail Reception
• 7:30 PM – Anniversary & Awards Banquet
• 9:30 PM – President’s Reception

Friday, April 26

• 8:30 AM – Breakfast
• 9:30 AM – Semi-Annual Membership Meeting
• 12:00 PM – Adjournment 

SPECIAL EVENTS

“Roast & Toast” Retirement Celebration for Judith Lemke and Dave Williams at the Homestead Mountain Lodge

Two VAISEF Past Presidents and long-time educators and administrators, Judith Lemke and Dave Williams, have retired this year. On Wednesday night, in lieu of the normal informal dinner, we will gather at the Mountain Lodge, located on the top of Homestead’s mountain, to kick off the 40th Anniversary Conference and celebrate the careers of these two accomplished and dedicated individuals that have contributed so much to VAISEF over the years. Although this still remains an optional event, please note that for those of you arriving on Wednesday, if you do not wish to attend this function, other dinner options in the area and at the Homestead are very limited and expensive. We hope that members will attend to have time to network and catch up as we celebrate.

Past President’s Reception

All of VAISEF’s Past Presidents have been invited to the conference to celebate this notable milestone with us. The Thursday evening cocktail reception will be in honor to their service.

Anniversary & Awards Banquet

During the annual awards banquet, where the Margaret Shepherd Award, the Making A Difference Award, and the Volunteer Award are presented, we will also take a brief moment to look back at VAISEF’s beginnings and history of advocating for the education and related services of youth with disabilites and their famiies.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

As a reminder, the spring semi-annual membership meeting will be held on the final day of the conference. Tenative items for the agenda include:

• Update from the Virginia Department of Education
• Approval of any By-Laws Amendments or VAISEF Standards Changes
• Update from VAISEF Committee Chairs on Association Activities
• Legislative and Regulatory Updates

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS 

VAISEF has secured a group rate at The Homestead, for $135 per room, per night. There is also a Resort Charge of 15% per room, per night, plus applicable taxes, which are currently at 9%, which will apply. The Resort Charge includes: gratuities for housekeeping staff, use of the fitness center and pool, access to the family pool complex, nightly movies, afternoon tea, internet connectivity, and on-property transportation. Room upgrades are also available per the following surcharge schedule:

• Resort Room – $20
• Preferred Resort – $30
• Premier – $50
• Preferred Premier – $60
• Junior Suite – $120
• One Bedroom Homestead Suite – $200
• Two Bedroom Landmark Suite – $250 + additional bedroom
• President’s Suite – $395 + additional bedroom

The reservations can be made by either calling the Homestead (866-354-4653) and referring to the VAISEF group rate, or by going to their website, www.thehomestead.com and using the group code ISEF. The Homestead has also extended the group rate for several days before and after the conference, should anyone desire to extend their stay. The reservation cutoff date to reserve rooms at the VAISEF group rate is Monday, March 25.