We did all that in 5 years, no way!

Connie Thrash McGoodwinYes WAY, and it’s a credit to our established administrative team. But there is no rest for the wicked and we are down to 10 months and counting until our 60th Anniversary celebration on October 13, 2013. WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU OR YOUR COMPANY AS A SPONSOR, just fill out and return the enclosed card between now and June.

JOBS
In five years we doubled the wages earned by our folks with disabilities to
5.9 million dollars and created hundreds of new jobs in the community. We’ve added new classes and support staff, and our main location on Utah increased by almost 20 staff members. Employment Services moved to the building on the corner, which provides staff with a much better space to do their jobs and offers easier access to those we serve, many of whom may have mobility issues.

WORK PROJECTS
We have added our first FAA contract at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and two contracts at the Armed Forces Reserve Centers located in Norman and Mustang, that’s about 53 new jobs for people with disabilities.

CERTIFICATIONS
Our Employment Services department was certified by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for their maximum award of three years. They will return in 2014 and certify the entire agency. Four members of the Board of Directors and myself went through four months of Standards of Excellence training through the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURISM
A few years ago we received the framing set aside for the state and bought the small wholesale framing company we were working with in Moore. Wyman Frame and Supply is now being moved on campus to the new Workforce Skills Training building. In October of 2013 we will add a retail component to the current wholesale model.
With the help of Cedar Hill Spices in Edmond and Anglin Public Relations, we created a line called Prairie Spices and started an online store. Over a dozen different items made or packaged by workers at Dale Rogers Training Center are available for purchase online or at the agency (https://drtc.org/commerce or call 405-813-9998), including GREAT GIFTS FOR ANY OCCASION! New holiday cards and note cards are designed every year by folks in our workshop. Each gift has a note from an individual who packaged it.

Why do we work so hard? To try to diversify our income and stay ahead of any negative impacts on the economy. That fiscal pie only has so many pieces, so let’s say “we’re doing our own baking”. Our ultimate strategic goal is complete self-sufficiency.

Part of the secret of our success is the unique partnership between the Board of Directors and Dale Rogers’ professional staff. The Board of Directors meets monthly and does its due diligence on anything new, approves policy, oversights all strategic planning and handles all finances and investments. In addition, a Human Rights Committee, also from the community, reviews and protects the safety and rights of all individuals served in the Developmental Disabilities Services Division and Department of Rehabilitation Services programs.

“We have some of the most experienced and professional staff in Oklahoma. The professional integrity of the staff, the outcomes and our continued success is how we know this partnership works,” says Board President Becky Cook.

I get a lot of credit for our success and while I admit to being a catalyst for quality and innovation, it is my administrative team that makes it happen. You’ll hear more about my “Fab 5” these next few months (think Jerry, Deborah, Theresa, Lillian and Mark) not to mention the other 18 members of administration at all of our seven office locations.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS, CUSTOMERS, CONTRACTORS, DONORS AND ADVOCATES!

We couldn’t be successful without you!

Looking forward to 2013 and seeing you at our 60th Anniversary Celebration,

Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M. Ed.
Executive Director

We did all that in 5 years, no way!

Connie Thrash McGoodwinYes WAY, and it’s a credit to our established administrative team. But there is no rest for the wicked and we are down to 10 months and counting until our 60th Anniversary celebration on October 13, 2013. WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU OR YOUR COMPANY AS A SPONSOR, just fill out and return the enclosed card between now and June.

JOBS
In five years we doubled the wages earned by our folks with disabilities to
5.9 million dollars and created hundreds of new jobs in the community. We’ve added new classes and support staff, and our main location on Utah increased by almost 20 staff members. Employment Services moved to the building on the corner, which provides staff with a much better space to do their jobs and offers easier access to those we serve, many of whom may have mobility issues.

WORK PROJECTS
We have added our first FAA contract at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and two contracts at the Armed Forces Reserve Centers located in Norman and Mustang, that’s about 53 new jobs for people with disabilities.

CERTIFICATIONS
Our Employment Services department was certified by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for their maximum award of three years. They will return in 2014 and certify the entire agency. Four members of the Board of Directors and myself went through four months of Standards of Excellence training through the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURISM
A few years ago we received the framing set aside for the state and bought the small wholesale framing company we were working with in Moore. Wyman Frame and Supply is now being moved on campus to the new Workforce Skills Training building. In October of 2013 we will add a retail component to the current wholesale model.
With the help of Cedar Hill Spices in Edmond and Anglin Public Relations, we created a line called Prairie Spices and started an online store. Over a dozen different items made or packaged by workers at Dale Rogers Training Center are available for purchase online or at the agency (https://drtc.org/commerce or call 405-813-9998), including GREAT GIFTS FOR ANY OCCASION! New holiday cards and note cards are designed every year by folks in our workshop. Each gift has a note from an individual who packaged it.

Why do we work so hard? To try to diversify our income and stay ahead of any negative impacts on the economy. That fiscal pie only has so many pieces, so let’s say “we’re doing our own baking”. Our ultimate strategic goal is complete self-sufficiency.

Part of the secret of our success is the unique partnership between the Board of Directors and Dale Rogers’ professional staff. The Board of Directors meets monthly and does its due diligence on anything new, approves policy, oversights all strategic planning and handles all finances and investments. In addition, a Human Rights Committee, also from the community, reviews and protects the safety and rights of all individuals served in the Developmental Disabilities Services Division and Department of Rehabilitation Services programs.

“We have some of the most experienced and professional staff in Oklahoma. The professional integrity of the staff, the outcomes and our continued success is how we know this partnership works,” says Board President Becky Cook.

I get a lot of credit for our success and while I admit to being a catalyst for quality and innovation, it is my administrative team that makes it happen. You’ll hear more about my “Fab 5” these next few months (think Jerry, Deborah, Theresa, Lillian and Mark) not to mention the other 18 members of administration at all of our seven office locations.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS, CUSTOMERS, CONTRACTORS, DONORS AND ADVOCATES!

We couldn’t be successful without you!

Looking forward to 2013 and seeing you at our 60th Anniversary Celebration,

Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M. Ed.
Executive Director

If you love us, be sure to ‘like’ us!

Holiday Card 2012

Since you are already a fan of Dale Rogers Training Center , be sure to “Like” us on Facebook for a great chance at winning a set of holiday cards made by a person with a disability at DRTC.

All you have to do is simply ‘Like’ our page and leave a comment on the giveaway post answering the question. We will randomly select FIVE people to receive a free set of holiday cards! Winners will be announced this Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Liking us on Facebook will also give you real time access to all of the latest news, Prairie Spice recipes, event photos and other very exciting news coming in 2013 for DRTC.

We also appreciate you for “following” us on Twitter for the #GivingTuesday movement. You never know, you just might find a great photo or recipe pinned to our Pinterest, also!

Happy #GivingTuesday!

With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, along came the birth of #GivingTuesday this year. The idea is to give back in a charitable effort the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the purpose is to bring back the meaning of giving thanks and to encourage others to donate their time, materials, money or effort to their help a charity. The founders have reached an unexpected, but welcome milestone. With the original goal of 100 organization participants, the rapidly growing list of partners leading the nation to “Get Out the Give” is now over 2,000 strong and spans all 50 states. The extensive use of social media has been vital to the success of #GivingTuesday. With partners such as, The Huffington Post, Mashable, Microsoft, the United Nations Foundation and the United Way, the #GivingTuesday movement has garnered unfathomable support.

DRTC is encouraging others to participate in #GivingTuesday by providing the option to purchase a quality gift through our online store while also giving back to a non-profit organization, providing training and employment to people with disabilities. The products are specially packaged or produced by an individual with a disability, including a special note.

Through our programs, we train or employ over 1200 individuals with disabilities. People with disabilities continue to experience higher levels of unemployment than those without disabilities. By participating in #GivingTuesday, we will be able to raise awareness for our mission and provide holiday gift options that benefit a great cause.

Give Local. Give Well. Give Back. #GivingTuesday.

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