2019 PRA Annual Presidents Message

December 24, 2019
President’s Annual Message 2019
As we close out 2019, I would like to take a few minutes to share with you some of the great things that we have been able to accomplish this year, along with some of the strategic plans for the upcoming year.
The year began for PRA with the introduction of some new board members. We welcomed Katherine Young, Amy Moore, Janet Fiore, and Sue Soderberg to the board. David Ritter volunteered, and was approved by the board, to fill the role of Second Vice President.
Strategic planning has been ongoing, with much of our focus being placed on our Professional Development Institute, business diversity, student outreach, membership, social media presence, education, legislation, and website outreach.
Our 2019 PDI was a great success! Our sponsors included The Sierra Group, The University of Scranton, The Arc of Philadelphia, and Brant’s Driving School. I would like to take a moment to thank them for their generous donations to the PDI, along with our vendors, presenters, and attendees. The PDI is such a wonderful networking and informational event—every year, I walk out with a renewed sense of energy for our field and a strong sense of community.
Carl Marshall, a longtime PRA board member, bid us farewell as he packed up and moved out to sunny California. I would like to thank Carl for his many years of dedication to PRA and the field of rehab. Carl will be greatly missed.
This year our past president, Ralph Roach, worked in partnership with the National Rehabilitation Association, and launched our first ever online voting system. This resulted in the election of 4 new board members to kick off the year 2020. We welcome Kelley McKee, Crystal Stuck, Garrett Huck, and Tess Campbell to the board!
As we move into 2020, I would like to invite you to join us at a board meeting—come and see the partnership, networking, strategic planning, and sense of community that comes from a room full of disability advocates from both the public and private sectors. There is nothing quite like it! Let’s grow PRA together. Now, more than ever, the disability community needs to have a voice. Together, we can accomplish our goals of empowering individuals with disabilities to live full and meaningful lives—to live and work independently—to become productive members of our communities—to share this with others so that they might spread the message of inclusion.
Best wishes for a safe and joyful holiday season!
Tracie A. Maille, M.A., M.S., CRC, LPC
2019 PRA President