GEORGIA PEACH COCHLEAR IMPLANT ASSOCIATION

GPCIA NEWS #5 - March 5, 2004

Fall Picnic

SHHH/CI Affiliation

GPCIA Dues

The new venue for the GPCIA Cochlear Family Retreat, June 10-12, at Cohutta Lodge (www.cohuttalodge.com) introduces some logistical changes that should benefit retreat participants. There are two application forms, one to sign up for lodging and meals, and another for retreat registration. For example:

1) Lodging and meals: this form will be returned direct to Cohutta Lodge. Rooms will rent for a reasonable flat fee per night. For meals, participants may select in advance and pay for just those meals they want. Cohutta Lodge meals will be offered for Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Sunday breakfast and lunch.

2) Retreat registration, including child care registration: this form will be returned to Richard Bowman. The registration fee has been reduced to $20 for each adult and $10 for each child. This fee will include participation in all educational and social activities, the Saturday evening barbecue dinner, and the children's program run by childcare professionals.

Remember - on Friday, June 10, the retreat registration opens at 2 p.m., the children's program begins at 4:15, and the first education session begins at 4:30. Dinner is at 6 p.m., followed by the popular family hospitality and watermelon party on the back lawn of the resort. We are starting the program earlier than in the past because some people will find the mountain roads easier to navigate ? and more scenic ? when traversed in daylight hours.

The children's program is a delight. There's Mountain Magic Arts and Crafts, a visit by Smokey the Bear and Ranger Shelley, a portfolio workshop (parents and children), interaction with the former Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum, the popular Mindy the Clown magic show, and a Musical Magic performance along with traditional fun and games. The children's program is for children five years and older; infant and toddlers will be supervised separately.

All retreat registration forms are being finalized and will soon be sent to the GPCIA mailing list, or will be available online (www.gpc.edu/tucker/gpcia). Stay tuned! For advanced information, please e-mail to Richard Bowman at rbowman@alltel.net.

We still have exhibit space available for manufacturers and dealers of assistive technology, and for non-profit associations and agencies relating to hearing loss. Please contact Richard Bowman for availabilities.

Fall Picnic

GPCIA's Fall Picnic, usually held in September, has enjoyed three great years at the Martha Berry Museum in Rome. For

2005, we are shopping for a new venue solely because we want to share this event with CI users, candidates and their families in other areas of the state. The GPCIA Board is looking at sites in Macon, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah. If you have a recommendation, please contact Connie Stratigos, cs121033@juno.com, who is coordinating the event.

SHHH/CI Affiliation

GPCIA was an affiliate of the Cochlear Implant Association International until the parent organization suspended operations about two years ago. Last year, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH), the nation's largest advocacy organization for people with hearing loss, agreed to establish a cochlear implant section within SHHH, and offered former CIAI members a trial 6-month SHHH membership.

Some GPCIA members are long-time SHHH members and belong to Georgia SHHH chapters. But some misperceptions prevail.

Does a GPCIA member, who pays $15 yearly dues, automatically become a SHHH member?

No. GPCIA is a separate entity, governed by a board of directors. GPCIA members who wish to join SHHH must pay $25 annual dues direct to SHHH.

Is GPCIA now a chapter of SHHH?

No. SHHH requires a minimum 4 members to qualify for a chapter. Technically, GPCIA has more than four members who also hold SHHH membership yet there is no provision for an at-large chapter. We encourage our members to consider SHHH membership (www.hearingloss.org) as an addition to, not a substitute for, GPCIA membership.

GPCIA Dues

Annual membership dues for the Georgia Peach Cochlear Implant Association are $15, payable at time of the retreat registration or before. Checks may be payable to GPCIA and mailed to GPCIA, PO Box 1172, Tucker, GA 30085-1172.

The high cost of postage for mailing of newsletters means that we must rely more on on-line communication and only occasionally use the US Postal service.

GPCIA Newsletter

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