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OCTOBER 12, 2013

REGISTRATION:  9:30

WALK:  11:00

LUNCH:  12:00

Bonnie Moore signs attendees in.

Wesley Scheidt entertains us.

The Walk Informational Meeting went on in spite of heavy thunderstorms.  We outlined the upcoming walk and described the four work areas that need volunteers.  Here is a summation of each.

1.  SPONSORSHIP  Our goal is to raise $18,750 from regional businesses and organizations.  This group will be identify and contact potential sponsors in the spring/summer.  Levels of sponsorship begin at $250 and go to the ceiling.

2.  TEAM CAPTAIN/WALKER RECRUITMENT  Walkers are the heart of a NAMIWalk.  We are planning to attract 570 walkers this fall.  We'll need 57 Team Captains.  They are the "cheerleaders." 

3.  KICK OFF LUNCHEON/WALK DAY ACTIVITIES  It takes organizational skills to pull off the Kick Off Luncheon and all the activities on the day of the walk.  The KOL will take place in early August. 

4.  MEDIA/PROMOTIONS  Publicizing the walk through a variety of media throughout northwest Georgia is necessary. 

Although a few people volunteered to be part of one of the four areas, we need more help.  Please give Jim Moore a call at 706-232-4607. 

  SOS--Stomp Out Stigma--is a reason why we walk.  We want to inform the community that mental illness is REAL.  1 in 4 people are affected by a mental health disorder in any one year. 

Join us in making the Walk better than last year.

 Sign up at www.namiwalks.org/rome. 

Stomping out Stigma takes time.  If your boots wear out, get some more!

Each year affiliates across our nation join in a concerted effort to increase public awareness about mental illness.  Yes, it's sort of like coming out of the closet and standing up against STIGMA.  Really, the walk itself is just the tip of the iceberg.  In each of the past 8 years  NAMI8Rome has fielded a team, it has taken pictures of their walkers who were adorned in similar and colorful t-shirts and later posted them on affiliate website and in the newsletter.  The group enjoyed meeting new people and making friends.  But, did the walk itself do anything to reduce STIGMA?  Yes to some extent, but the real impact came when we talked to other family members, church friends, teachers, CIT officers, and mental health providers.  We told them our story and updated them about the "health" of the mental health system in Georgia and our country.  I believe we've done as much to reduce STIGMA by talking (or writing) to our contacts and telling them about NAMI and what it offers to individuals with mental illnesses, families, caregivers, providers, and the public.

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