ID: MSAD Vice President of Operations, Kellynette Gomez, a light-skinned latina woman is signing in front a blue-gray background with a small bamboo plant. She is wearing her curly hair pulled back, black blouse, and teal ILY earrings. Hello community members, Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf (MSAD) is eager to encourage and welcome you to become a part of the Statewide Advisory Council (SAC) of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). Role of SAC Members: As a SAC member, you will have a vital role in shaping the services and support provided to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafDisabled, and DeafBlind communities in Massachusetts. ● Share Concerns and Feedback: You will have the opportunity to convey the concerns and experiences of our community with MCDHH. Let them know what is working well and what needs improvement. Your input will help in making the necessary changes to better support our community. ● Advise MCDHH Commissioner: You will also provide valuable advice to MCDHH Commissioner Ope on setting priorities and focus areas. For instance, if you believe that increasing the number of ASL-speaking staff in state agencies, like DMH, DPH, and DCF, is essential for more effective communication, your input can drive policy changes. Meeting Commitment: ● As a SAC member, you will attend eight meetings per year. These meetings are currently held on Zoom for convenience and accessibility. ● Volunteering: Serving on the SAC is a volunteer opportunity, but the impact of your contributions will be invaluable to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Massachusetts. Currently, the SAC only has one Deaf signing member, but we aim to have a diverse representation of 12 to 20 members. We need more Deaf, DeafDisabled, and DeafBlind signing members like you to join the SAC and help guide MCDHH in the right direction. Meeting Dates The upcoming meeting dates are as follows: ● September 21st ● October 19th ● November 16th ● December 21st ● January 18th, 2024 ● February 15th, 2024 ● March 21st, 2024 ● April 18th, 2024 ● May 16th, 2024 ● June 20th, 2024 Application Process: If you are passionate about serving on the SAC and making a difference in our community, we encourage you to take the first step. Please reach out to Commissioner Ope’s Executive Assistant, Heather Daley, at heather.I.daley@mass.gov, or directly contact Commissioner Ope at opeoluwa.sotonwa@state.ma.us. Thank you for your consideration and dedication to our community. Sincerely, MSAD Board Members