I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend several events while the DNC was in Denver. My many thanks go to Darlene Dennis and Christina Metzler at AOTA, plus Amy Lamb from AOTPAC. To witness such an event firsthand in my own hometown was truly a once in a lifetime event.
I was able to hear Bill Clinton and Senator Joe Biden speak at the Pepsi Center Wednesday evening. This included an appearance by Barack Obama at the end of the evening. The atmosphere was electric and the speakers were inspiring.
Thursday was packed with events culminating in Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High. Earlier in the day, the most interesting events were a question/answer session with Nancy Pelosi, then a reception for women in the Senate. The AOTA brochure on surviving handshaking while on the campaign trail was helpful in sparking conversations with the senators. One senator said right away that she knew exactly what OT’s do; she was a social worker before becoming a senator.
The feeling at Invesco Field Thursday evening was indescribable; One African American woman remarked that she never thought she would see this happen in her lifetime, where a man of color was a nominee for the Presidency. People were extremely happy, hopeful and involved. The weather was perfect and there were American flags everywhere. Courtesies to strangers were extended that you would never experience at any football stadium.
To have the opportunity to attend such an event was incredible. Thank you again to all who made this possible.
Beth Fletcher, OT, Denver, CO
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Big Surprise!
You've been waiting for the big announcement, and here it is: the next blogs on this site will be from the Congressional Swearing In Day events (early in January 2009) and from the Presidential Inaugural events (January 18-20, 2009)! And, AOTA members, you can be part of the action here in Washington - winning a trip. Visit http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Advocacy/AOTPAC/Inaug09.aspx for the details.
See "AOTA Grassroots Members Attend Convention," to see what some of the grassroots members had to say about attending the national conventions!
See "AOTA Grassroots Members Attend Convention," to see what some of the grassroots members had to say about attending the national conventions!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Message from Sharon Sanderson, OT (OK Alternate Delegate to RNC)
I enjoyed meeting with Amy, Penny, and Tim in St. Paul. It was great to see AOTA having such a visible presence at political gatherings.
I have only been real active in national politics for the past three years, when we moved to a small rural county in Oklahoma. We found that not much was happening in the Republican Party in this county, so my husband and I started working to get people interested in the GOP and in voting. From our county, we were elected to positions at the District level, where we have gotten to know several state and national politicians in Oklahoma. Knowing so many on a first name basis will be a great benefit when/if we occupational therapists need to contact them for local issues. Both of us were elected as Alternate Delegates to the RNC at the District Level. In the several meetings before we went to St Paul, we were privileged to get to know better all of our US Representatives and Senators, as well as Republican leaders in Oklahoma.
In meeting people, I have shared that I am an occupational therapist, so I am doing my part to create visibility for the profession. Tom Cole is our Representative whom we have known for many years, so I was thrilled to meet him in the NRCC suite with Amy, Tim, and Penny. He is well respected by all US Representatives, and is a great person to listen to the common voice. I know that we can count on him to advocate for occupational therapy.
Not sure what being an Alternate Delegate would entail, I was surprised by how much time I actually spent on the Delegation floor. Any time Delegates needed to leave the floor, Alternates were asked to take their places. I got to vote for the Platform, the Rules, and for the nomination of Sarah Palin as VP Nominee! Actually, the Alternate seating had a better view of the speakers, but it was thrilling to mingle with the Delegates, as well as reporters.
We came home exhausted, but we know we will be ready and willing to do it again in four years! I would be glad to talk with anyone on how to get involved in politics at the local level. In fact, I will be presenting on how to do just that at the OOTA Annual Conference on October 4.
Sharon Sanderson
I have only been real active in national politics for the past three years, when we moved to a small rural county in Oklahoma. We found that not much was happening in the Republican Party in this county, so my husband and I started working to get people interested in the GOP and in voting. From our county, we were elected to positions at the District level, where we have gotten to know several state and national politicians in Oklahoma. Knowing so many on a first name basis will be a great benefit when/if we occupational therapists need to contact them for local issues. Both of us were elected as Alternate Delegates to the RNC at the District Level. In the several meetings before we went to St Paul, we were privileged to get to know better all of our US Representatives and Senators, as well as Republican leaders in Oklahoma.
In meeting people, I have shared that I am an occupational therapist, so I am doing my part to create visibility for the profession. Tom Cole is our Representative whom we have known for many years, so I was thrilled to meet him in the NRCC suite with Amy, Tim, and Penny. He is well respected by all US Representatives, and is a great person to listen to the common voice. I know that we can count on him to advocate for occupational therapy.
Not sure what being an Alternate Delegate would entail, I was surprised by how much time I actually spent on the Delegation floor. Any time Delegates needed to leave the floor, Alternates were asked to take their places. I got to vote for the Platform, the Rules, and for the nomination of Sarah Palin as VP Nominee! Actually, the Alternate seating had a better view of the speakers, but it was thrilling to mingle with the Delegates, as well as reporters.
We came home exhausted, but we know we will be ready and willing to do it again in four years! I would be glad to talk with anyone on how to get involved in politics at the local level. In fact, I will be presenting on how to do just that at the OOTA Annual Conference on October 4.
Sharon Sanderson
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Parting Shots
Although Penny, Amy, and I had a great time in Minneapolis at the GOP Convention, I can't say I am sorry it is over. I think we definitely left a mark at the convention and took advantage of some great opportunities to network with policy makers and other advocates; but it was exhausting.
Penny made some great connections with several key nursing and health care leaders who were interested in working with AOTA for mutual benefit. Amy and I got a chance to meet Members of Congress outside the Beltway, and that helped demonstrate AOTA's national reach.
In fact, the whole thing is so exhausting I am off at Rehoboth Beach, DE to recharge and prepare myself for Hill Day on Monday, September 22. This year's event is going to be big, with over 150 RSVP's already. If you like politics, Washington, or even if you just think it's important to be an advocate for your profession and patients, then join us in Washington on the 22nd. More information is on AOTA's Legislative Action Center at: http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=11627416
And now that I have internet access that really works, here is a youtube link to John Rich's Raising McCain video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmKgITJejfg
Thanks for reading. I hope the posts informed you about activities, but more importantly I hope it made you laugh a bit. Now just be sure to do your part and VOTE!!!!
Let us know at aotpac@aota.org if you would like to see a policy & politics blog continue from AOTPAC/AOTA.
Thanks, We'll do it again in 4 years! (Thank goodness!)--- Tim
Penny made some great connections with several key nursing and health care leaders who were interested in working with AOTA for mutual benefit. Amy and I got a chance to meet Members of Congress outside the Beltway, and that helped demonstrate AOTA's national reach.
In fact, the whole thing is so exhausting I am off at Rehoboth Beach, DE to recharge and prepare myself for Hill Day on Monday, September 22. This year's event is going to be big, with over 150 RSVP's already. If you like politics, Washington, or even if you just think it's important to be an advocate for your profession and patients, then join us in Washington on the 22nd. More information is on AOTA's Legislative Action Center at: http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=11627416
And now that I have internet access that really works, here is a youtube link to John Rich's Raising McCain video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmKgITJejfg
Thanks for reading. I hope the posts informed you about activities, but more importantly I hope it made you laugh a bit. Now just be sure to do your part and VOTE!!!!
Let us know at aotpac@aota.org if you would like to see a policy & politics blog continue from AOTPAC/AOTA.
Thanks, We'll do it again in 4 years! (Thank goodness!)--- Tim
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
AOTA President at Republican Convention
Penny Moyers Cleveland, AOTA President, Rep. Tom Cole (OK), and Sharon Sanderson, OT and Secretary/Treasurer of ASAP
Penny Moyers Cleveland, AOTA President; Senator Charles Grassley; Amy Lamb, AOTPAC Chair
Our President, Penny Moyers Cleveland, sitting at the 'Presidential Desk of the White House' thinking "Watch out Gov. Palin, I can do this!"
AOTA Grassroots Members Attend Convention
We were lucky enough to get some extrta credentials and tickets that allowed some AOTA members to participate in some of the Democratic National Convention activities. We put out a call for interest and ended up having so many people respond that we had a drawing to find winners to attend events. Here are their comments about the experience.
I was afforded the most incredible opportunity ever by AOTA! I would put the experience up there as one of the most exciting lifetime experiences. The air was electric in the Pepsi Center in Denver. To see and hear all the special speakers I have followed for years and to be there for President Clinton’s captivating speech was amazing. The event was topped off by hearing Joe Biden and when Barack Obama came on the floor the excitement overflowed. I also had the opportunity along with Chris and Amy to go to a special event before and after getting into the Convention. We promoted the profession by meeting and thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and giving him the AOTA brochure Grip and Grin on handshaking tips. Thank you AOTA and thanks for all you do to help the profession!
Ruth Berenbeim, M.Ed/CT, OTR
Just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to attend Senator Obama's acceptance ceremony at the DNC on Thursday. The crowd and evening was so well planned and Amy did a great job at getting us to Invesco and getting good seats. The cheers, music, speakers and fireworks made for a very loud but motivating evening. Obama addressed many issues that are on my mind. The recent events in my life that are so impacted by the current state of the economy here in Colorado and the USA were addressed briefly. I too have been recently laid off from the hospital I worked for. The hospital said they were in financial trouble and decided to eliminate the Pediatric Rehab Department. That left me and the other OT, speech therapists and physical therapists without a job and many families without the needed therapies for their children. Obama talked a lot about health care reform and the poor state of the economy. He had several ordinary people talk about their difficulties with finding jobs, paying their bills, losing their retirement money and not having enough health care. These people got more applauds then the politicians.
In talking with Amy, she did a great job of networking and getting the word out about the need and benefits of occupational therapy. Professionally I see how the medical and educational services for children with special needs are being eliminated or cutback continually and this is scary. The politicians need to know what is happening to the children in our country. The children of our country deserve more respect and I hope if the words of the politicians on Thursday can be implemented, OT and the lives of the people we work so hard to help will change for the better. Thank you once again.
Jackie Murphy OTR
I was afforded the most incredible opportunity ever by AOTA! I would put the experience up there as one of the most exciting lifetime experiences. The air was electric in the Pepsi Center in Denver. To see and hear all the special speakers I have followed for years and to be there for President Clinton’s captivating speech was amazing. The event was topped off by hearing Joe Biden and when Barack Obama came on the floor the excitement overflowed. I also had the opportunity along with Chris and Amy to go to a special event before and after getting into the Convention. We promoted the profession by meeting and thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and giving him the AOTA brochure Grip and Grin on handshaking tips. Thank you AOTA and thanks for all you do to help the profession!
Ruth Berenbeim, M.Ed/CT, OTR
Just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to attend Senator Obama's acceptance ceremony at the DNC on Thursday. The crowd and evening was so well planned and Amy did a great job at getting us to Invesco and getting good seats. The cheers, music, speakers and fireworks made for a very loud but motivating evening. Obama addressed many issues that are on my mind. The recent events in my life that are so impacted by the current state of the economy here in Colorado and the USA were addressed briefly. I too have been recently laid off from the hospital I worked for. The hospital said they were in financial trouble and decided to eliminate the Pediatric Rehab Department. That left me and the other OT, speech therapists and physical therapists without a job and many families without the needed therapies for their children. Obama talked a lot about health care reform and the poor state of the economy. He had several ordinary people talk about their difficulties with finding jobs, paying their bills, losing their retirement money and not having enough health care. These people got more applauds then the politicians.
In talking with Amy, she did a great job of networking and getting the word out about the need and benefits of occupational therapy. Professionally I see how the medical and educational services for children with special needs are being eliminated or cutback continually and this is scary. The politicians need to know what is happening to the children in our country. The children of our country deserve more respect and I hope if the words of the politicians on Thursday can be implemented, OT and the lives of the people we work so hard to help will change for the better. Thank you once again.
Jackie Murphy OTR
Photos from Invesco Field - Democratic Convention
Lots of energy, excitement, and patriotism for Senator Obama's speech during the Democratic Convention at Invesco Field.
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