During 2008, one of the primary goals of the VEWAA Board was to do a more effective job in establishing current goals and objectives for VEWAA and to continue to develop an intermediate and long range strategic plan for the Association. 

During the year the following objectives and and activities were initiated.  We were at least partially successful in almost all of what we set out to accomplish.  We feel that there was more that could have been accomplished, however overall substantial progress was made during 2008.  We encourage you to submit comments and suggestions so that this work in progress will effectively represent needs and interests in the field. 

The following were the primary objectives and initiatives undertaken during the year.

1. Member Outreach:  Contact existing VEWAA members to update contact information and develop accurate e-mail addresses whenever possible. 
   Some progress was made in establishing accurate contact information for all members.  These efforts will be expanded upon and continued into 2009.

2. VEWAA Journal: Recruit and select editors for the VEWAA Journal and publish the next edition of the VEWAA Journal.
   Michael Millington and Alan Lott were selected as editor and associate editor of the VEWAA Journal. The formation of editorial board is progressing and the first edition of the online version of the VEWAA Journal will be available by summer 2009.

3. Increase VEWAA involvement with CCWAVES:  Establish a VEWAA position on the CCWAVES Board of Directors.
   VEWAA was able to secure a seat on the CCWAVES Board of Directors and has been able to offer direct input to help guide CCWAVES

4. Reach out to VECAP: Share strategic planning information with VECAP leadership and begin to explore ways to increase collaboration and work more closely together.
   Direct dialogue has been established with leadership of VECAP and maintained throughout the year.  A number of avenues for cooperative activities have been explored. the ultimate goal of these contacts is to explore ways to strengthen and enhance both the field of vocational evaluation and career assessment as well as the respective activities of the associations.

5. Increase VEWAA Internet Presence: Establish and maintain a website with information about vocational evaluation, career assessment and adjustment services operated and managed directly by VEWAA.
   The VEWAA website was created and has been maintained throughout the year.  Traffic and interest in the website has seen gradual increases throughout the year.

6. Provide Training: Present at least one VEWAA sponsored training workshop at the 2008 National Rehabilitation Association Training Conference.
   A training workshop on the strategic partnership between assistive technology and vocational evaluation was presented as a concurrent session.

7. Continue developing a Strategic Plan for VEWAA:  Solicit input from practitioners and interested individuals and incorporate this into a working strategic plan for VEWAA for 2009 and beyond.
   A working strategic planning document has been developed for 2009.  Ongoing review of this planning document will be initiated with a survey of the VEWAA membership in early 2009.   This working document will remain available for review and further input on the VEWAA website.

The following goals and planning objectives are presented for consideration and adoption by the 2009 VEWAA Board of Directors. Additional input and comments are requested and always welcome from VEWAA members as well as other professionals in the field.

INCREASE THE VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE VOCATIONAL EVALUATION AND WORK ADJUSTMENT ASSOCIATION (VEWAA) TO PRACTITIONERS IN THE FIELD

1. Publish the VEWAA Journal: Publish the new online VEWAA Journal by the Summer of 2009.  
2. Increase the content and resources available through the VEWAA website: Enhance the VEWAA website with new information about vocational evaluation, career assessment and adjustment services on at least a monthly basis.
3. Explore options for certification alternatives:  VEWAA CCWAVES representative will coordinate ongoing VEWAA input to assist in re-establishing certification options for vocational evaluation professionals.
4. Expand Information Dissemination and Outreach:  Develop and distribute informational news releases related to the practice of vocational evaluation, career assessment and adjustment services to rehabilitation professionals and other interested persons.

ENHANCE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES TO VEWAA MEMBERS.

1. Compile an accurate and complete contact directory for all members:  Direct telephone contact with all VEWAA members will take place in January 2009 to verify/update all contact information.  Membership information will be compiled in spreadsheet format and maintained by the VEWAA Membership Chairperson.
2. Send membership packets to all new VEWAA members:  Each new member shall receive a new member packet immediately upon payment of dues to NRA.
3. Implement publication of a quarterly VEWAA Newsletter:  Publication of a quarterly e-newsletter will start by late January or early February 2009.  Option for a print alternative format will be available based on member preference.    
4. Survey VEWAA membership:  In January or February 2009 an online survey of all VEWAA members will be conducted to solicit input to the strategic plan and identify training needs and other input on any other issues or concerns.
5. Respond to inquiries from members/state level: VEWAA shall respond directly to all inquiries submitted through the VEWAA website or other means and, as appropriate, post responses as part of Frequently Asked Questions on the VEWAA website.
6. Initiate communities of practice discussion/interaction:  In conjunction with the National Clearinghouse on Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM), VEWAA shall moderate list serve and/or discussion board interactions between practitioners and other interested persons in the field.  

CONTINUE EXPLORING COLLABORATIVE AND PARTNERING OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS INVOLVED WITH, OR INTERESTED IN, VOCATIONAL EVALUATION, CAREER ASSESSMENT AND ADJUSTMENT SERVICES.

1. Establish direct communication with other key groups and associations:  The VEWAA president and/or VEWAA Board Members will formally contact key groups and associations, as well as other divisions within the National Rehabilitation Association, to inform them of VEWAA activities and to become aware of their resources and activities.
2. Continue Involvement in the National Issues Forum:  Work with VECAP to sponsor training or a plenary session speaker for the 2009 National Issues Forum.
3. Continue discussions with leadership of the Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professional (VECAP) exploring how the associations can work closely together:  Continue to explore ways to strengthen the alliances and consider moving to cooperative agreements between VEWAA and VECAP. Possibilities could include partnering to produce proceedings from the Issues Forum, publish a joint professional journal or work together on new initiatives.

PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PRACTITIONERS ON TOPICS RELATED TO VOCATIONAL EVALUATION, CAREER ASSESSMENT AND ADJUSTMENT SERVICES

1. Provide Training Workshops: Present a VEWAA sponsored training workshop at the 2009 National Rehabilitation Association Training Conference
2. Investigate training opportunities at other conferences/events:  Contact a minimum other groups or organizations to identify interest and need for training related to vocational evaluation, career assessment or adjustment services.
3. Develop a Webinar or TeleSeminar:  Develop an online training module by summer 2009 on some aspect of identified training needs.

We welcome your comments and any suggestions you may be able to make on the scope or any of the more specific activities that are encompassed in this plan.
Thanks!

VEWAA Board of Directors 2008