ODNJ Meeting Minutes; December 5, 2011

I. In Attendance: AK, CE (Burlington County); DL, SC (Camden County); LB (Ocean County); JM (Hunterdon County); KS, EB, MS (Mercer County); JS, DT (Monmouth County)

II. Mission Statement

This item was tabled due to time constraints and will be addressed at the next meeting.

III. Updates

1. Social Media and PR

a. Domain name, Website, Blog, Facebook

DL reported domain fees to be $10 per year and web site hosting fees will cost approximately $75 per year. She will try to secure 'www.overcomingdyslexiaNJ.org'. It was agreed that an individual website will be developed for the group with a link to the sammiesmission blog. DL will provide sample designs at an upcoming meeting.

b. Postcards

LB printed sample cards for distribution. MS and AK will investigate reduced cost or donated printing services.

c. Yahoo Group

This will be the preferred method of email communication among group organizers. MS will send out invites to all requesting to join.

d. Press Release

LB is taking the lead on press releases. She has a listing of media sources from Learning Ally... please check in with her to identify local outlets in your county to receive a press release. Also consider sending a "letter to the editor" to your local paper.

e. Community Organizations

JM contacted and will follow up with (former Masonic Learning Centers) Childrens Dyslexia Centers of NJ to discuss possible outreach to their contact lists. She is also reaching out to Nemours.org- Bright Start.

2. Lobbying our Legislators for Change

a. Task Force Public Meeting with Learning Ally

EB reported that Learniing Ally will be hosting a open meeting for parents to share stories with a representative group from the NJ Task Force in January. Date TBA.

b. "Personal Dyslexia Stories" Preparation

Members spent time sharing their composed stories and giving feedback.

c. Contact your local legislators

Members are asked to contact your local legislators to introduce yourself as a constituent, share your personal dyslexia story, convince them they should "care" and introduce them to ODNJ. Let them know they will be hearing more from us! Check in

at Facebook for more tips on this topic!

IV. Next Meeting