Independence Now thanks guests who attended our annual meeting on July 9th at our Silver Spring office. The theme was “Voices of Independence: Stories That Empower” which focused on our organization’s consumers.
Independence Now Founder Cathy Raggio who also was the organization’s first Executive Director spoke, along with Donna Herring who moved from the role of Board Treasurer to Board President on July 1st. Other board members attending include Joseph Aukward; Cindy Buddington, Vice President; and Kisha Stover. Donna comment how the past year was one of the most challenging economic environments that Independence Now has faced due to significant, unexpected funding cuts, rising costs, and increasing demands for services. “Through sound financial stewardship, thoughtful decision-making, and a renewed commitment to identifying additional unrestricted revenue streams, we have continued to strengthen our organization and position Independence Now for a sustainable future. Our resolve has never been stronger, and neither has our commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities continue to have access to the services, advocacy, and opportunities they deserve,” said Donna.
The standout meeting highlight was a storytelling panel discussion moderated by consumer Sinaya that featured consumers who described services they received from Independence Now and related success achieved as a result. “The Voices of Independence theme clearly resonated with attendees based on their attentiveness and positive reactions. All speakers were inspiring and together, they communicated the collective impact of our organization and their resolve to achieve independence,” said Diane Palmer, Executive Director.
To learn about Independence Now services, programs and financials, visit innow.org and our events calendar at innow.org/events.
See all the photos from our annual meeting on Facebook!
