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Seeking to broaden its advocacy impact, The Arc Quinebaug Valley has announced it is launching a membership drive.
The Arc is one of more than 700 chapters nationwide of The Arc of the United States, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Since 1952, The Arc has worked to provide people with intellectual, developmental and other life-affecting disabilities in northeastern Connecticut with services and opportunities to reach their greatest level of personal fulfillment and potential.
“The Arc was founded by parents seeking a better life for their children with disabilities,” said Board President Jeffrey Rawson. “We have always been a membership organization and it is through that membership that we have the strength to advocate for the individuals we support.”
Growth in membership is one of The Arc’s Strategic Goals for the next three years, Rawson said.
“Year after year, this community has been so supportive of and generous to The Arc,” said Membership Committee Chairperson Lynn Bourque. “We’re looking to partner with businesses and individuals in a different way through this drive. Members have a voice at The Arc at the local, state and national level, and can be involved in advocating for individuals with disabilities in our community.”
The cost of membership is $25 per year. The benefits include quarterly newsletters from The Arc Quinebaug Valley and The Arc of the United States, as well as other electronic updates on advocacy efforts toward policy change. Members also receive invitations to special events at The Arc.
The Arc kicked off the membership drive this week with a Facebook campaign. For every 25 new likes the agency’s Facebook page receives, The Arc will give away a free one-year membership to a fan.
The Arc Quinebaug Valley currently has more than 110 members. Online applications for membership can be found at www.qvarc.org
Bourque is joined on the Membership Committee by fellow Board Members Susan Johnston, Thomas Masso, Gary Cote, Julie Ann Dupont, Mary Ellen Snyder, Frances Bousquet, Honora Butts, Lorraine LaGarde, Mona Lee and Rawson. Staff liaisons are Executive Director Susan Desrosiers, Development Assistant Emily Groves and Administrative Assistant Sandi Riemann.
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