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From the CEO

We are excited to see many of you at this year’s Summer Leadership Institute, and we have some really engaging content and productive sessions teed up. 

Within our federation, we have smaller chapters and larger organizations doing different programming and support within their communities. When planning the event, we take into account the wide variety of needs across our network.  

For our smaller chapters, you may be most interested in sessions on:

Making the Call: Advocacy Strategies Across State & Local Chapters. We will look at how chapters make strategic decisions about when to take the lead on an issue and when to take a supportive role when it feels like everything is an “advocacy issue.”

Key Leadership Insights for Challenging Seasons. Get tips on fundraising, growing your board, motivating your team, and more. 

Keeping the Wheels On: A Survival Guide for Disability Leaders. We know you have to balance the operations of the organization with fulfilling the mission. This session will help you take it one step at a time. 

For our larger chapters, you shouldn’t miss: 

Technology First:  A Leadership Imperative. Embracing enabling technology can increase independence for people with disabilities. Organizations that embrace a “tech first” mindset can make an even bigger impact. 

Ethical Leadership and Dignity of Risk in Disability Services. Chapter leaders have to balance regulatory compliance with ethical responsibility and human dignity. This session explores how nonprofit leaders navigate complex mandates while honoring the dignity of risk for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

And we will all benefit from hearing from Sara Minkara, a former U.S. diplomat, on moving disability priorities in front of decision-makers. As the former U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, she advanced disability inclusion in U.S. foreign policy in more than 70 countries and in global conversations on AI, trade, climate, and security. You’ll leave with practical strategies to build unlikely coalitions, find common ground, and move disability priorities in front of decision-makers. 

I know it can be a big time and budgetary commitment to attend a conference. But we have a valuable program ready to meet your needs no matter your chapter’s profile. Early bird registration ends June 12. I hope to see you in Palm Springs, July 14-16! 

As always, you can reach me at [email protected] or 240-401-0714.

Katy Neas, CEO

National News

Chapter Town Hall: Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation

Join The Arc’s CEO, Katy Neas, and NCE Steering Committee Chair Jean Phelps on June 18 for an interactive conversation about The Arc’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation. Last revised in 2013, these terms are ready for a meaningful refresh, and this town hall is your chance to share your perspective. 

Katy and Jean will share a draft of proposed updates. We will highlight why these changes matter and invite your ideas and questions along the way. This is more than an update; it’s an opportunity to help shape a stronger future for our chapter network. We hope you’ll join us and be part of the conversation.

A New Q&A Series Helps Journalists Cover Disability 

We partnered with the National Press Club Journalism Institute on a three-part Q&A series to help journalists cover disability with more accuracy, accessibility, and respect. The series features practical guidance from Katy Neas on interviewing people with IDD, avoiding harmful framing, and choosing visuals that represent people with disabilities as diverse participants in everyday life.

Reminder: Upload Your Chapter Membership by June 30

The Arc’s Annual meeting will include some key votes this year related to the slate of candidates for The Arc’s Board of Directors and revisions to the Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation. Chapter membership data is factored into the number of votes your chapter receives for the annual meeting. Please be sure to update your chapter membership data here. Login by June 30, 2026 to be included in the vote count for your chapter. If you have problems accessing the membership portal, please email [email protected]. 

Empower Your Community and Energize Voters in 2026 

Chapters play a powerful role in helping people with disabilities participate fully in our democracy, and this year’s Voter & Candidate Engagement Box gives you the tools to spark that energy. Each box includes 15 ready-to-use posters and 30 buttons to help you start conversations, celebrate voter pride, and make civic engagement more visible at your events. Reserve your box by July 8 and use it alongside our voter resources and chapter toolkit to fuel excitement and expand access this 2026 election season.

Resources & Opportunities

A Future Planning Resource Worth Sharing

The Arc's future planning guide is a free, person-centered resource that helps document a person’s routines, preferences, support needs, and goals, all in one place. It captures details that formal plans often miss, making it a natural starting point for planning conversations and a practical resource to share with families and self-advocates. Download and share it with the people you support!

New Day of Service Toolkit: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks  

September 11, also called Patriot Day, is a nationwide call for Americans across the country to volunteer in their local communities in tribute to the individuals lost and injured in the 9/11 attacks. This year carries extra significance as we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The Arc has joined forces with America250 and 9/11 Day to honor and pay tribute to our founding principles by helping those in need within our communities.  Our new toolkit is designed to help organizations make their 9/11 Day activities accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities.

Live Virtual Events

Rural Health Transformation: What Chapters of The Arc Need to Know

Tuesday, June 2, 2:00 pm ET

As states move quickly to allocate Rural Health Transformation Program funding within a one-year window, this session will help rural chapters understand what’s changing and how to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Register here.

Measuring Impact: Chapter Strategies for Tracking Outcomes & Progress

Tuesday, June 9, 2:00 pm ET

HHS Connect will share a clear framework for defining, tracking, and communicating meaningful outcomes, whether your chapter is just beginning to collect data or refining a mature impact strategy. Register here.

Understanding ID, DD, and IDD: Why It Matters for Chapters

Monday, June 15, 2:00 pm ET

Chapters use terms like "intellectual disability" and "developmental disability" every day—but they’re not the same, and using them incorrectly can cause confusion and impact services. This webinar will break it down in a clear, practical way. Register here.

Chapter Town Hall: Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation

Thursday, June 18, 3:00 pm ET

Join The Arc’s CEO Katy Neas and NCE Steering Committee Chair Jean Phelps for an interactive conversation about The Arc’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation. Register here.

Do you know of any staff or board members in your chapter who are not
receiving Fusion? Forward this email to them so they can sign up by creating a
free chapter portal account.

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.