2010 APHE National Conference

Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund Sponsors:

Conference Schedule:
April 14 - Pre-Conference mixer in evening
April 15 - Conference sessions and Sharing Corral, day (sessions begin 9:00 a.m.); dinner, speaker and auction, evening
April 16 - Conference sessions and Sharing Corral, day (end at 5:15 p.m.)
April 17 - Optional excursion, day

Topics and Speakers:
Self-Awareness - A Key to Professionalism
Keith GeLarden Dayton, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Computers Don't Bite: Cheap and Easy Ways to Use Technology in Your Personal and Professional Life
Jenn Raley Miller, do good Consulting

Pacific Overtures - RSPCA Qld's Humane Education Initiatives in Australia and South Pacific
Kellie Ireland, RSPCA Queensland

Monitoring and Evaluating Education Programmes - a Key to Humane Education's Success
Mariah McConnaughey, WSPA International

Educating Adults: How to Reach a Large Adult Population in Your Community
Joelle Aguirre and Ellen Fisher, East Bay SPCA

NHSPCA Junior Volunteers: A Successful Service Learning Model
Paula Parisi and Sue Harrington, New Hampshire SPCA

The Power of Stories in Developing Empathy and Inspiring Humane Thinking
Nicole Forsyth and Karly Gould, United Animal Nations
Stephanie Clark, Humane Society of the United States

Project Safe Humane: Successful, Innovative Programming in Chicago
Cynthia Bathurst, Best Friends Animal Society

Sharing Corral:
The Sharing Corral is an APHE tradition, a time for educators to showcase their innovative ideas. In 2010, there will be two Sharing Corral sessions. On Thursday, a poster session will highlight successful programs and tools. Friday's session will feature unique crafts, activities, games and favorite books. Conference attendees are encouraged to apply for one of six spots available each day. Click here for further details and application information. Application deadline: March 11, 2010.

Conference Site:
The Anti-Cruelty Society is located at 157 West Grand Avenue in downtown Chicago. Parking is free for attendees during the conference sessions. Facility tours will be provided at the conference. 

Lodging:
A room block has been reserved for conference attendees at the Best Western River North Hotel, one block from the conference site. Single and double rooms are available for $119 plus tax per night. This rate includes parking for one car, wireless Internet access and other amenities. Five dollar breakfast coupons for the on-site restaurant will be available for purchase at check-in (additional breakfast options are within walking distance).

For reservations, call the hotel at 312.467.0800 by March 12, 2010. The group name is "Association of Professional Humane Educators."


Registration Information:
The registration fee is $200 for APHE members and $250 for non-members. This fee includes two days of conference sessions with lunch and break refreshments, Thursday night dinner and the Pre-Conference Mixer (see below for more details). Become a member now and receive the member conference discount!

Online registration is available at the top of this page; there are options to pay by credit card or check. If you want to become a member or purchase other APHE items in one transaction, please complete this form and send it with your check via postal mail.

Scholarship Information:
APHE members may apply for financial assistance through the Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund. Scholarship awards are intended to offset part of the cost of attending (travel, registration, lodging). Full scholarships are not awarded. The minimum amount offered is the amount of registration for the conference. Click here for a scholarship application. Application deadline: February 15, 2010.

Pre-Conference Mixer:
Join us for food and fun! Reconnect with old friends and meet some new ones while enjoying complimentary food and beverages. Reserve your place when registering for the conference.

Dinner, Speaker and Auction to Benefit the Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund:
What a night! Join us for a complimentary dinner, inspirational talk, and silent and live auction. Reserve your seat when registering for the conference.

Seeing Things Through
NPR commentator Beth Finke explains how she managed to get her award-winning books written and published.  The author shares tips on how she handled the real-life characters in her memoir, "Long Time, No See" and how the success of that book led her to write "Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound," the winner of a Henry Bergh children's book award. Beth will share what she's learned about writer's block, the question of finding an agent or sending directly to publishers, the joy of getting a book published and the adventures she and her Seeing Eye dog Hanni have enjoyed on their book tour travels.

NPR commentator Beth Finke writes for the Chicago Tribune, Woman's Day, Dog Fancy and The Bark. She is the author of two books -- "Long Time, No See"
and  "Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound," the 2007 ASPCA/Henry Bergh Award winner for non-fiction children's books. She speaks at conferences on disabilities, writing, assistive technology and dogs! For more information, link to www.bethfinke.com or read Beth's "Safe & sound" blog at www.bethfinke.wordpress.com

A silent and live auction will raise money for the Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund. Quality humane education materials as well as fun items in a range of prices will be included. Be sure to bring a big suitcase to carry home all of your loot!

Contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations are critical to the success of the benefit auction. The valuable and unique items contributed from all over the country are what make this auction so special. APHE encourages its members to solicit donations or donate your special purchases to help raise money for this vital cause. Click here for information and a sample letter to solicit donations.

Would you like to volunteer to help with the auction? We sure could use your help! Are you the creative type? How about helping us organizing and assembling our gift baskets! We need volunteers with an eye for design and detail to transport and arrange the auction items to the banquet room for optimum display. Greeters are needed to assign auction numbers to bidders as they enter the room. We need great salespeople to assist in receiving the highest bid for items up for auction. If you are a wiz on the computer, we sure could use your expertise in logging our winning bids during the evening! Of course you will be able to spend all the money you wish and bid on all the wonderful items up for auction so don’t feel you can’t splurge and volunteer simultaneously. Please email Carol Everett at members@aphe.org to volunteer. Thanks so much!


Saturday Excursion (optional):
Don't miss this unique opportunity to see a Pit Bull Training Team class sponsored by The HSUS's End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign. We will observe a weekly training class for pit bulls and their caretakers, primarily young men. Dog trainer Jeff Jenkins focuses on responsible care and non-violent activities such as agility and obedience that instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. Jeff will answer questions following the one-hour class. Please be aware that some dogs might not be neutered and there may be some rough language.  See http://www.hsus.org/acf/news/fighting_dog_retraining_070908.html and http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2010/01/pit_bull_graduation_012510.html for more information about the Pit Bull Training Team.

Roundtrip transportation will be provided.  The bus will leave The Anti-Cruelty Society at 11:15 a.m. and return at approximately 2 p.m.  The excursion is limited to 30 participants so please register early.  The cost is $25 and includes transportation and a donation to purchase supplies such as leashes and dog food for the Pit Bull Training Team.

Questions?  E-mail us at conference@aphe.org or call Susan at 217.684.2990