GCSS Community Events

by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

At the suggestion of Sherry Heyl, our Internet networking advisor, I've decided to switch the location of our GCSS blog (or at least the Community Events part of it).

According to her (and another friend of mine who also works with a non-profit organization), Blogger/Blogspot aren't considered the most professional of websites for business blogs. WordPress, however, has a better reputation with professional bloggers.

I already have a personal WordPress account, and could easily set up one for GCSS. When I do, I'll make sure to notify everyone (as a matter of fact, I may set it up today). If I can figure it out, I'll try and link our Twitter and Facebook accounts to the new blog as well.

Most of these things, in retrospect, are rather simple; they just take a bit of time. Since this blog seems to only get the occasional reader anyway, I'm feeling positive about the transition to WordPress anyway.

As soon as it's up, I promise to e-mail everyone and let them know. I look forward to hearing from you! Happy holidays, once again!

P.S. Don't worry, I've run this by Evan...so it wasn't entirely an impulsive decision on my part.

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

Due to my having a lot on my plate last month, and failing to make our calendar a priority, I was a little delayed in getting it out to everyone.

I promise to make sure that doesn't happen this month, despite Christmas and New Year's Eve being just around the corner. So luckily, there are plenty of activities going on in the Atlanta-Metro area, and I just need to be a good Coordinator and sniff them out.

In addition to the usual list of events, however, I'd like to focus the blog even more on happenings related to people with disabilities. So, at least once a week, I'm going to search for disability-related news items that you all might enjoy.

Sound good? As always, if anyone has an event and/or news item to suggest for the blog, you're more than welcome to e-mail or call me about it. Thank you again for being a great team.

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

Due to feedback from a trustworthy source, I've realized that the original look and feel of this blog wasn't appropriate to GCSS.

So, as you can see, this is the current one, borrowed from Blogger Templates. Ideally, I'd like to have the same graphics that are on the GCSS homepage decorating the blog, but at the moment, I hate to admit, I'm uncertain as to their location! That would likely be a question for Kevin or Sari.

More News Is Good News

As you may already be aware, the Fall 2009 newsletter is available, both online and in print form. If you haven't yet had the chance to read it and wish to do so, just click here: About Us: Press Room - Newsletters

Not to toot my own horn, but this is the first time that I've contributed to the newsletter, and I certainly hope that my additions have had a positive affect. One was a brief article entitled "Transitioning to the Cyber-Age," in which I described our use of Twitter and Facebook as promotional tools. The other is, in fact, one of my blog entries that Amanda Duckworth wanted to include because of its relevance to the holiday season.

If and when you have the opportunity to read the newsletter, the directors of GCSS (and I, their humble supporter) would appreciate your feedback! Thank you. More to come...

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Sensory Day at BounceU

BounceU, in collaboration with the Autism Society of America, invites children with autism to "Sensory Day," on Sunday, Dec. 20th, from 3:30-5:30 PM. Children are free to run, jump, and play (keyword: Fun) around the facility during this time. Adults, too, are allowed on the inflatables.

So, says BounceU, "Mark your calendar and bring your socks." It's an experience you won't forget.

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

Many of you working in the Disability Support Community have likely heard the name "Jerry's Habima Theatre." But for those who haven't, allow me to fill you in. Habima Theatre is, according to Atlanta JCC, "Georgia's only theatrical company directed and produced by professionals featuring actors (aged 18 and up) with developmental disabilities."

If there is anywhere to truly experience the remarkable achievements of adults with developmental disabilities, this is it. This coming year, Habima will be producing a revue entitled Disco Inferno, written by Justin Sepple, on March 24-28, at the Morris & Rae Frank Theatre (part of the MJCCA, Zaban Park).

An ad for Disco Inferno describes it as "Saturday Night Fever meets Damn Yankees in this romp through the 1970's." Among the classic song selection are such favorites as The Trammps' "Disco Inferno"; "Celebration," by Kool and the Gang; "Crocodile Rock" (as sung by Elton John); "I Will Survive" (as sung by Gloria Gaynor); and "Pop Muzik" (made popular by the British band M).

Tickets can be obtained through the MJCCA Box Office, at 678-812-4002. Please attend the show! You won't be disappointed.

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

Today, GCSS kicked off its Art & Craft Bazaar, sponsored and organized by the Our Place and Art & Food programs. It took place from 9AM-2:30PM, and both staff and consumers took part in running the event.

Among the arts and crafts being sold were knit hats ($3); Christmas bags ($.50); small tins of cookies ($1); small tubs of cookies ($2); large tubs of cookies ($3); and photo albums ($1).

Baked goods were quite abundant as well, including a peanut/pretzel mixture with chocolate, and a walnut/craisin/apricot mixture. Of note: both selections were delicious.

Also included, in the craft area, was jewelry made by consumers, including some beautiful custom beaded necklaces for only $5.

Some of the most impressive items were the abstract paintings made by consumers. One, for example, entitled "Starburst," featured blue star-like shapes painted over a gorgeous reddish-pink background. Beside it lay an untitled painting, using a black background with light and dark green spirals intertwined. Though unfortunately, these descriptions don't do the artwork justice, most of it is still on display, so come by tomorrow and check it out!

Additionally, clients at Our Place created such pieces as a red-painted wooden ship with the University of South Carolina's logo and mascot prominently displayed, and a $15 GA Tech rocket ship.

Most fantastic of all, perhaps, is a fully decorated Christmas tree, including lights and brilliant ornaments, such as purple jingle bells, golden holly, purple ribbons, snowflakes, and a decorative bugle. The tree is available for $100.

Though the sale for today is nearly over, it's being held again tomorrow, so be sure to drop by!

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This is a "re-posting" of an e-mail from Dec. 9.

Please join the Human Resources Finance & Corporate Services Team & Construction in a unique giving back opportunity at a local day school for adults with mental disabilities.

RSVP to Jessica Baker (jessica_baker@homedepot.com) by December 10, 2009.

Art & Food Center

Those of you at GCSS already know this, but the Art & Food Center in Marietta is a GCSS support program that provides a number of different services to families of grown children with special needs. As mentioned in the bulletin from the e-mail, Art & Food's focus is to train students in independence, through lessons in cooking, sewing, painting, sculpting, and much more.

Specifically, the "Supporting People in Their Community" event takes place Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, from 9am-5pm. The address of the Art & Food Center is:

2058 Lower Roswell Rd.
Marietta, GA 30068

Particpants will be:

1. Building a shaded structure over the back deck of the center
2. Building two large planter boxes with flowers in front of the back deck
3. Time permitting, doing light organizational tasks inside the center

For more information, please contact:

Jessica R. Baker
Human Resources Administrator
Finance & Corporate Development
The Home Depot Store Support Center
2455 Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, GA 30339
Location: B-12
770-433-8211 x17623 (phone)
jessica_baker@homedepot.com

Thanks to Pam Peterson for providing this information!

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

I thought it worth mentioning that one of Whitney's recent ideas for a new website was some sort of forum, in which people could discuss restaurants, theaters, and other public places as they pertained to people with disabilities.

In a sense, it would be similar to Access Atlanta, except the reviews would include such factors as whether or not a venue was wheelchair-accessible, had provisions for the hearing-impaired, etc. As someone without a physical disability, it's easy to overlook those factors sometimes.

While recently discussing this with the tech department, some of the folks there said web design wasn't their specialty, but recommended a couple of sites that were good platforms for setting up your own blog and/or forum. I'm in the process of looking over some of these sites now, and I think once I'm familiar with them, it should be easy to decide which would be the best to use.

The one thing that I hesitate about when it comes to using one of those sites: what if we want this to be more than just a message board? In the long run, I might want to have a fully functioning site; of course, it could start off as a message board, and we'll see how that catches on.

Well, just tossing some ideas around...if anyone wants to contribute their thoughts, feel free!

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

The next edition of our newsletter, while still in progress, should be completed relatively soon. Though it would be inappropriate to give away the content here, I should note that it contains my first contribution to the newsletter, as well as a list of "10 Things You Might Not Know About GCSS," which was a collaborative effort between Amanda Duckworth, LaRue Griffin, and me, with added support from several other members of GCSS.

I'll soon begin work on other projects as well...when they begin to take shape, I'll certainly make more of you aware!

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

I'm sure many of you have heard the word "persona" before. Some of you may even be familiar with how it applies to business.

As part of my ongoing business/marketing education, I had a lesson in creating personas, in other words, fictitious consumer types within a target market that might make use of our services.

While I had completed the customer profiles that I talked about in earlier blogs, the persona concept is a bit more in-depth, and requires more field research. Conversation Marketing defines them as "your marketing campaign's imaginary friends." At the site, the blogger, Ian Lurie, goes into detail about customer demographics, personalities, and their relationships with you (meaning the business).

Forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir at all here...some of this information I knew in theory, but certainly couldn't have taught to others. As I'm in the process of storing the knowledge in my own head, it helps tremendously for me to discuss it with others.

One thing that Sherry Heyl (of Concept Hub, Inc. fame) asked me to do was to go out and find out where people in our target market hang out, so to speak. It would help to have more real examples from which to create the fictional personas.

So...how does all this sound? Any ideas to contribute?

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by Eric Pudalov, Community Events Coordinator

Unfortunately, due to my being scattered and somewhat distracted by the holiday, the Community Events Calendar isn't complete yet. However, I assure everyone that it's in progress, and should be finished by tomorrow.

I'm also aware that I missed a major meeting today which I had hoped to be a part of, and I regret that, but thank you for your acknowledgments nonetheless! Hopefully I'll be able to make the next meeting of this sort.

In any case, besides the calendar, I've received what I believe to be the last bit of important info. for the newsletter, so hopefully that too will be available shortly! I look forward to producing more great work with your help and support.

Thank you, GCSS!

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