Open letter to IMPACT membership regarding the 2008 Conference

IMPACT leadership moved to conduct a separate 2008 conference focused on parent requirements in lieu of the three-day conference that is held in March. As a result, IMPACT will be able to concentrate efforts at the grass roots level and re-engage parents. This will be a one day event limited in cost and production in hopes of reconnecting with needs at the family level.

The difficult task of deciding to step away from the Northern Conference was based on differences in business practices of the conference committee. Due to communications being limited to the conference committee during the development phase, questions were raised when the theme and sub-committees were finally revealed to IMPACT. Exercising its partner status, IMPACT leadership requested compromises in the theme title to respect the diversity of its membership and mission as had been the case in past conferences. These requests were not accepted for discussion. Also, requests for binding agreements to which IMPACT would be responsible were not honored.

IMPACT representation and mission objectives were superceded by the conference committee's need to deliver a platform specific conference. With negated partner standing and unclear status of its contractual obligations, IMPACT moved to maintain organizational integrity by removing itself from the conference. IMPACT is fully aware of the importance of Cal-Ed's message. Where as if IMPACT remained and continued to request compromise for its diverse membership, timelines would have been compromised. It was, therefore, decided to separate with the encouragement for Cal-Ed to continue with a platform-specific conference. 

IMPACT supports Cal-Ed as a resource for California's educators of deaf and hard-of-hearing students which benefits our families. We hope to realign for future conferences. In support of families who need assistance in attending the Cal-Ed conference, we are offering scholarships via Cal-Ed's registration process. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause

Marcos Ramirez