PresMessage
The past year was a year like no other. Most of us struggled with the anxiety of managing our lives during a pandemic while being isolated from extended family and friends. Our clients residing in nursing homes faced the constant fear of catching COVID-19 while experiencing isolation from the outside world. We watched in horror as American citizens attacked our Capitol on January 6. We saw increasing acts of violence fueled by racism. Finally, we saw devastating natural disasters, such as the ice storm in Texas.
In the midst of a horrible year, NAELA was one of the few bright lights. After many parts of the nation locked down last March and many of us scrambled to adjust, NAELA quickly pivoted to provide some of the support we desperately needed. I, for one, was extremely grateful that NAELA started using Zoom before the pandemic. My office had to scramble to learn the platform. Throughout the year, countless numbers of NAELA volunteers stepped up to help their colleagues not only to learn how to operate their offices remotely but also to keep the membership informed about the rapidly changing federal legislation and regulatory actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from education focused on pandemic-related issues, the Programs and Publications Steering Committee continued to produce strong educational content with webinars and articles in NAELA News, NAELA Journal, and the eBulletin.
While we could not gather in person this past year, we came together in other ways. The NAELA Foundation held virtual fundraising events, including Team Trivia and the Cake-and-Comedy Night. The Sections provided valuable content with several of them offering town hall formats where the members were able to share ideas. NAELA’s State Chapter Ambassadors worked closely with the State Advocacy Committee to address common issues that states were facing. While I could not travel to visit chapters, I am glad that I was able to meet with several chapters via Zoom.
NAELA’s Federal Advocacy efforts kept us apprised of the different COVID-19 relief packages and the various administrative emergency rules. After President Biden took office, NAELA reached out to the new administration to establish contacts and work with the different transition teams. We continue to increase our influence through our participation in coalitions with aging and disability advocates.
In March, NAELA hosted its first virtual Annual Conference. NAELA staff and the Planning Committee did a fantastic job with this inaugural event. We all had fun with the Family Feud event held on the eve of the conference. (See pages 25-29 for more on the Annual Conference.)
While the pandemic was raging last June with no end in sight, we now have vaccines being quickly administered to the population. Nursing homes are opening up and grandparents can spend precious time reconnecting with grandchildren. I hope that in the very near future, we will be able to resume in-person meetings.
As I prepare to end my year as your president, I hand over the gavel to the very capable hands of Incoming NAELA President Letha McDowell. I am excited about the future of NAELA. Serving as your president has been one of the biggest honors of my life. I cannot possibly thank NAELA Executive Director Pete Wacht and the incredible NAELA staff enough for the fantastic job they did during such a difficult period. I was also very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive and hard-working Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
I look forward to the day when we can all be together again.