A Little More About How NAMI Virginia Does Open Houses

   Hey guys! I talked to Sarah Steadman, who is the Director of Programs at NAMI Virginia (state office), and asked her about how NAMI Virginia does their Open Houses (I have never been to one). She said it is "set up like convention workshop but hopefully bigger. Chairs set up like theater style facing the podium. A mic might be necessary depending on the group size. Food is appetizers, finger foods". It is about 50 people. So, if anyone is interested in coming, I am going to take the counts I get from the survey relayed to Sarah and the rest of the state office and the place, amount of food, etc. is going to be based on the survey counts. Please take the survey, if you want to come. Anyone in southwest Virginia (or anywhere in the state is welcome, if they are willing to drive) or Bristol, TN (or anywhere in Tennessee, if they are willing to drive). I am inviting anyone and everyone--mental health consumers, families of mental health consumers, healthcare providers, human service providers, law enforcement/first responders, teachers/principals/administration, clergymen/church staff, the general public/community members. I do, however, need the surveys by August 15, 2013 to allow time for planning and figuring out the details. If there is enough interest, they are going to look into having two to allow everyone who wants to come the ability to come and not have to drive too far.

                             Survey Link:  NAMI Virginia Open House in Southwest Virginia Survey

   The Open House(s) are something that the state office puts on (with the help of local affiliates). Clarification of affiliates in the southwest Virginia region. In the southwest region of the state of Virginia, there are currently two established affiliates and I am in the process of establishing a third. They serve different counties throughout southwest Virginia.

NAMI Southwest Virginia (this affiliate in the works/establishment process): City of Bristol and Counties of Washington, Russell, Smyth, Grayson, Wythe, and Tazewell.

NAMI Tri County: Counties of Lee, Scott, and Wise. The President of NAMI Tri County is Judy Salyer. Her email is jsalyer@mounet.com

NAMI Roanoke Valley: Roanoke area. The President of NAMI Roanoke Valley is Phyllis Scruggs. Her email is pbscruggs@gmail.com

Most of the far western part of Virginia does not have an affiliate created or in the works (think Buchanan and Dickenson counties and a few counties around it). However, we (other affiliates in the area) can assist these people by either joining our affiliate individually (not adding counties, as it can get way too big) or if we have enough people in those areas, there can be an affiliate created in those counties that are not covered. 

  My personal goal for NAMI Southwest Virginia is that we can get as much programming as possible. The programming National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers is extensive. I would love for this side of the state to have those resources.

If anyone has any questions, please email me at swvanami@gmail.com

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