Big ALDAcon Welcome

I didn’t think I could get much more excited about attending the ALDA conference—pardon me, the ALDAcon (love that name!)—but then yesterday I got a welcome e-mail from the President-Elect of the organization.  And I don’t mean a form e-mail that got sent to everyone, this is a personalized e-mail.

I had completely forgotten that when I filled out my registration form, they had me fill out a separate “newcomer” form.  It asked my age range, interests, hobbies, hearing loss, preferred communication method(s), etc.  So here is my e-mail from the ALDA president:

Dear Louise,

Less than one week to go before the convention...I can’t wait!

Thanks for filling out your registration form.  There is a newcomer from […] named […], who shares your interests in knitting and writing.

I’d like to know more about your interest in anthropology—I also find that fascinating.

I am sorry about your sudden onset tinnitus—that must be very disturbing, both literally and figuratively.  We can talk about it at the Con and I’ll see if I can find someone who knows more than I do to talk with you about it.

Events for you at ALDAcon include our Newcomer Workshop on Thursday at 8:30 am, the Newcomer/Chapter Leader Breakfast on Friday morning early—plan to get a good night’s sleep Thursday—and newcomers are included in a big way at the Farewell Brunch on Sunday.  We are so looking forward to seeing you! 

Cynthia Amerman

ALDA, Inc. President Elect

Newcomer Chair for ALDAcon 2010

I am seriously impressed by this!  Not just the e-mail, but the extent that ALDA is making us newcomers feel welcome and important.  (Brandt and I missed the Newcomer Orientation at the HLAA conference by about 10 minutes, so I can’t exactly compare the two.  The NAD conference didn’t have anything for newcomers, which I thought was strange until I got there and saw hundreds of Deaf people congregated in the hotel lobby—and realized that was the newcomer orientation.  If you’re Deaf, you probably just walk up and say ‘Hey, I’m new!’)

Now back to practicing my ASL!