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Join your Credit Union Association of the Dakotas at the 2012 Annual Summit June 26-29, 2012 at the Rapid City Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center. Meet new faces and network with your peers. Attend sessions led by national leaders and presenters. Celebrate the accomplishments of your credit union and the difference we all make to our members and communities.
We hope to see you at the 2012 Summit where we will strive to "Go for Gold" in everything we do to better serve our members and our communities as well as make a difference for credit unions everywhere!
NEW!
Register two attendees from your credit union and receive the third for half price! Be sure to mention your credit union name when registering.
VIEW the 2011 Summit HERE!
ARE YOU A VENDOR? REGISTER HERE
Payment Instructions
Your Educational Investment to the CUAD Summit is $319.00 per attendee before May 7, 2012.
After May 7, the fee is $369.00 per attendee so sign up today!
Please make all checks payable to:
Credit Union Association of the Dakotas
PO Box 7250
Bismarck, ND 58507
Call 1-605-343-8550 to receive the low rate of $110/room. Be sure to mention the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas for your discount. All rooms not reserved by May 26, 2012 will be released.
*NOTE-You must book through the above number to receive the discounted rate, booking online will not give you this option.
Refund Policy
If registered participants contact the CUAD office at 701.250.3924 or 800.279.6328 ext. 3924 to cancel their registration at least seven business days prior to the session, they will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Cancellations occuring six business days or less and/or with the advisement of no travel by the NDDOT or SDDOT before the session will receive a 70 percent refund of the registration fee. The Association reserves the right to bill the credit union for any meal charges passed on by the hotel due to a late cancellation occuring three business days prior to the session. Substitute registrations are welcome. Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. ~ Attendee Registration - Convention Center 2
- 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (10a.m. registration at East Glass Doors in Covention Center 2) Explore Reptile Gardens and Mt. Rushmore
- 11:00 a.m. (12 noon shotgun start) ~ Golf Tournament with lunch at Red Rock Golf Course
- Night on your own
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Buffet àt Convention Center 2
- 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ~ Opening Ceremonies “Quest for Glory”-Keynote Speaker—Billy Mills Convention Center 2
- 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Break (visit vendor booths-play vendor game)
- 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. ~ Lunch/vendor showcase (visit with vendors and play vendor game), Convention Center 2
- 2:15 p.m-3:30 p.m. Hot Topics with Debbie Matz, Convention Center 2
 - 3:45 p.m. Open forums in Rushmore (Volunteers), Washington (Manager's), Lincoln (Staff)
- 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. ~ Vendor Social, Keg Sponsored by CO-OP, Convention Center 2
- 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ The Midnight Swinger, Convention Center 2
Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Buffet, Convention Center 2
- 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ~ Breakouts- Washington, Lincoln, Badlands
The Economy and Credit Union Operations, Mike Schenk, CUNA, Washington
Integrated Social Media Marketing, Tim McAlphine, Currency Marketing, Lincoln
Avoiding Director Liability, Guy Messick, Messick & Lauer, P.C., Badlands
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ~ Break (outside Washington) - 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ~ Breakouts-Washington, Lincoln, Badlands
What Do Young People Want and Need?, Tim McAlphine, Currency Marketing, Lincoln
Collaborating for Survival, Guy Messick, Messick & Lauer P.C., Washington
What Front Porches, Long Drives Across Texas and Regrets In Australia Have To Do With You & Your Job?, Frank Diekmann, CU Journal, Badlands - 12:30 p.m .– 1:45 p.m. ~ Networking Lunch, Rushmore
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. ~ Breakouts-Washington, Lincoln, Badlands
Go for the Gold, Loretta Claiborne, Badlands
Gold Medal Interest Rate Risk Policies, Greg Schwartz, CliftonLarsonAllen, Lincoln
25 Ideas That Are Working In Credit Unions, Frank Diekmann, CU Journal, Washington - 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ~ Cash envelopes/ice cream social (outside Washington)
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. ~ Closing Keynote-Lorretta Claiborne, Washington
 - 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Social (6:00 pm – 6:30 pm) ,
Dinner sponsored by HTG Architects (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
Awards (7:30 pm – 9:00 pm)
Irish Auction (9:00 pm – finished) Convention Center 2
Friday, June 29, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ~ Light breakfast/Media Campaign Update Sylvan I and II
- 9:30a.m.-10:00 a.m. Registration outside Legion Pactola
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ~ Business Meeting Legion/Pactola
*Please note that all times are Mountain.
 Debbie Matz
As Chair of the NCUA Board, Mrs. Matz is the spokesperson for the agency and oversees the regulation of federal credit unions and the administration of the federal insurance fund covering approximately 7,400 credit unions with over $900 billion in assets. In addition to chairing the NCUA Board, Mrs. Matz serves as Chair of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). The FFIEC was established in 1979, pursuant to an act of Congress, to prescribe uniform principles, standards, and report forms for the federal examination of financial institutions, to make recommendations to promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions, and to conduct schools for examiners. Prior to becoming NCUA board chair, Mrs. Matz served on President Obama’s Economic Transition Team. From 2006 until June 2008, Mrs. Matz was the Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer of a federal credit union serving 90,000 members with branches in the United States and Europe. Mrs. Matz was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve in the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1993 to 2001. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, she oversaw the administrative arm of the 100,000-employee agency. Mrs. Matz has extensive experience on Capitol Hill. She served for nine years as an economist with the Congressional Joint Economic Committee where she advised Members of Congress on a wide range of domestic policy issues, and as a legislative assistant to Congressman Peter Peyser (R-NY). She received a master’s degree from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. A native New Yorker, she is married to Marshall Matz, has two grown children and resides in McLean, Virginia.
 Billy Mills was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Although Pine Ridge is very rich in culture and spirit, it is continually recognized economically as one of the poorest communities in America with unemployment reaching 80%.
Billy was orphaned by the age of 12 and sent to boarding schools. He graduated from high school at Haskell Indian School. Billy became involved in distance running and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas. Never winning a major race in track and field or cross country, he continued to show promise by making All-American seven times. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, Billy was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps., and continued training for the Olympic Team. He made the Olympic Team in two events, the marathon and the 10,000 meter run. He trained his body, mind, and soul for “Peak Performance.” And the world was about to see the greatest upset in Olympic history unfold. Today Billy is an accomplished businessman, an author, and National Spokesperson for Christian Relief Services. As their National Spokesperson, he has helped raise over 500 million dollars in CASH and in-kind contributions for charities worldwide. He has received five honorary doctorates, and is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Citation, the highest honor that the University of Kansas Alumni Association can bestow upon an individual to acknowledge outstanding achievement for the betterment of humankind. A major motion picture has been made about Billy, titled “Running Brave”, and has been a positive influence on many of our American Youth. SEE A PREVIEW OF BILLY MILLS
 Lorretta Claiborne is a woman of faith who shares her life story that carries a heart-felt message of hope and tolerance for all people around the world. Her motto is "God is my strength, Special Olympics is my joy". In 2000, Walt Disney Productions created Disney's The Loretta Claiborne Story. "I figured if my story could change a person's mind about another person, or especially a child's mind about another child, then it was the right thing to do," Claiborne says. Loretta is a world-class runner and gifted motivational speaker who happens to also be a Special Olympics Athlete-since 1970; she still competes today.
Loretta is a passionate advocate for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her life's accolades are too many to account, but a few of her most impressive accomplishments include: First Special Olympics athlete to serve on the Executive Committee for Special Olympics Inc. Serves as a Board of Director's Member - Special Olympics Inc. (Washington, DC) Received two honorary doctorate degrees (Quinnipiac College, 1995; Villanova University, 2003) Completed 26 marathons with her best time 3:03 Finished in the top 100 women of the Boston Marathon 1996 ESPY Award-Arthur Ashe Award for Courage recipient Walt Disney Productions Movie titled The Loretta Claiborne Story WorldScapes publishing produced "In Her Stride" - her biography for elementary students Holds a 4th degree black belt in karate Communicates in four languages and is fluent in American Sign Language Inducted into the Women in Sports Hall of Fame & Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Spoke to the joint session of the US Congress; testified before the US Congress Dined at the White House with Presidents Reagan, GHW Bush, Clinton and GW Bush Introduced President Clinton at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games Appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show four times Traveled throughout Africa joining former President Nelson Mandela to bring awareness of the benefits of Special Olympics
VIEW LORETTA HERE
 Guy Messik
Guy is an attorney engaged in the private practice of law in Media, Pennsylvania. Guy provides strategic planning and legal consultation services to credit unions and credit union service organizations nationwide. Since 1987, he has served as General Counsel to the National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations (“NACUSO”) where he acts as liaison with the National Credit Union Administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Guy is a nationally known speaker on a wide range of credit union and CUSO topics. He has presented at conferences and programs sponsored by NACUSO, NCUA, NAFCU, NASCUS, CUNA, CUES, ACUMA, AICPA and various State Leagues. Guy is the author of numerous articles on credit unions and credit union service organizations. He is a panelist on the monthly podcast “Current Issues in Credit Unions” available on iTunes and http://ciicu.libsyn.com/. He is an instructor in the NACUSO Professional Collaboration Certification Program. He maintains an information web site for credit unions and CUSOs at www.CUSOLaw.com. Outside of his credit union practice, Guy has extensive experience representing small businesses and government economic development agencies. Guy's practice focuses on assisting credit unions in finding effective ways to work collaboratively with (1) other credit unions to leverage their collective resources and (2) third party service providers to serve their members with non-traditional products and services. Guy is best known for work with CUSOs, Incidental Powers, loan participation agreements, due diligence contract reviews, business lending, governance issues and privacy law compliance. He has worked with credit unions and CUSOs involved in offering a number of different services, including: sale of investment services, insurance services, mortgage lending, title insurance, indirect lending, business lending, peer-to-peer lending, student lending, time share lending, credit union management, collections, trusts, information technology support, marketing, stored value and debit cards, item processing, travel, payroll processing, technology development and disaster recovery/business continuation. Guy is a graduate of Bucknell University and the University of Miami School of Law. He was law clerk to the Honorable Morell E. Sharp (Western District of Washington) from 1977-78. He is a member of the bar of the Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania and the State of Washington. He is an active member of the Credit Union Committee of the American Bar Association and serves as Vice-Chair of the Governance Sub-Committee.
 Mike Schenk
Mike has 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.
He joined the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in 1992 and is currently Vice President of Economics & Statistics for CUNA. He conducts economic research and supports CUNA’s public relations and lobbying efforts. His analyses regularly appear in trade publications such as Credit Union Magazine. He also is a frequent contributor in the financial media – including CNBC, Bloomberg, and CNN Money.
Mike serves on the board of a $1.7 billion credit union. In his six-year role as a credit union director, he served as Treasurer and as Chair of his credit union’s Asset-Liability Management Committee. Before joining CUNA in 1992, Mike was Director of Research for Financial Research Corporation, where he conducted economic analyses, competitor evaluations and product-line planning for mutual fund companies. His background also includes six years as Director of Interest Rate Risk Management at the Chicago-based U.S. League of Savings Institutions. Schenk has a Bachelors degree in Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance with a concentration in Banking and Financial Intermediation.
 Frank Diekmann
Frank J. Diekmann is Publisher of Credit Union Journal, the nation’s leading newsweekly serving the credit union community. Diekmann co-founded the Journal in 1997, and prior to that co-founded and developed Credit Union Times in 1990. During his career Mr. Diekmann has traveled to all over the U.S. and from Sydney to Prague covering credit union-related developments, has been a frequent judge of credit union marketing competitions, is a frequent speaker to credit union audiences, and is the only journalist to ever graduate from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education program. Prior to covering credit unions, Mr. Diekmann covered the nation's banking and thrift industries for five years, and prior to that worked as a sports reporter in Cincinnati.
Mr. Diekmann is also the author of the book, Cathode Rays, the story of Cathode Ray’s Bar & Grill, where classic television characters go when they are no longer on TV.
Mr. Diekmann is currently doing post-graduate work at the School of Hard Knocks.
 Tim McAlpine is a passionate credit union advocate who believes that credit unions and the credit union movement need to work harder to prove that there is a difference and that it matters. In his dynamic presentations, Tim tackles relevant marketing issues in his trademark no-nonsense yet humorous way.
Tim and Currency Marketing are the recipient of dozens of awards including the Credit Union Central of Canada National Credit Union Innovation Award and 1st place in the Forrester Research Groundswell Awards.
Tim is a popular speaker on the credit union conference circuit. He has presented at numerous credit union and finance conferences throughout North America for many top organizations, including Forrester Research, Credit Union National Association and Credit Union Executives Society. His writing has been published in numerous credit union publications, such as the Credit Union Management Magazine and The Credit Union Times.
 Greg Schwartz is a partner in the Financial Institution Credit Union Group of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP. Greg has been auditing credit unions for 25 years and his areas of expertise include audit and supervisory committee agreed-upon procedure engagements, GAAP and GAAS issues related to credit unions, supervisory committee issues, and review and evaluation of internal audit functions. Greg has made hundreds of presentations to credit union boards, supervisory committees and management on a variety of accounting and credit union issues. He is the author of Self-Paced Asset Liability Training for Credit Unions (NAFCU/Sheshunoff Information Services), and Strategic Planning for Credit Unions and The Credit Union CFO’s Manual (Sheshunoff Information Services) and is a member of the AICPA credit union planning committee. Greg is a graduate of the Minnesota State University, Mankato, Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Computer Science
The Midnight Swinger
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
7:30-9:00 p .m.
More than just a stand-up comedian, the Midnight Swinger is proud to be called a throwback entertainer. That's right, an entertainer! The Swinger believes in more than just standing behind the microphone and telling jokes, and doing more than just a simple "comedy show." The Midnight Swinger puts on a spectacle that leaves the audience LAUGHIN', SINGIN' and SWINGIN'.
VIEW THE MIDNIGHT SWINGER
Tuesday, June 26
10a.m.-2p.m.
$60 Before May 7
$75 After May 7
Explore will start out at Rapid City’s own exotic, wonderland zoo, Reptile Gardens. Reptile Gardens showcases and protects the rare,  unusual, and beautiful. Their collection features over 225 species and subspecies of reptiles and includes more of these cold-blooded creatures than any other zoo in the world. We’ll stroll through their garden oasis of colorful blooms, lush vegetation, and well manicured lawns... we might even get the rare opportunity to have an up close and personal animal encounter with their giant albino python Marilyn, baby gator Fluffy, or any of their other photogenic creatures.  Before lunch we will jump back on the bus to Explore and have lunch at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial which symbolizes the ideals of freedom and democracy and is a tribute to four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and their invaluable contributions to the United States. Mount Rushmore National Memorial represents not only the past, but also a promise for the future. It is a place surrounded by American history, where the names of Gutzon Borglum and Crazy Horse are still heard; where the buffalo once again run free in Custer State Park and the vision of the Keystone miners still cast a dim shadow on long deserted claims
2012 Summit Golf Tournament at The Golf Club Red Rock
June 26, 2012
11a,m lunch/registration
Shotgun start 12 noon
$125 Before May 7
$175 After May 7 Routed through the Black Hills terrain, the course features lush fairways, surrounded by native grasses and tall ponderosa pine trees. Dramatic elevation changes, links-style bunkers and USGA specification greens characterize the 7,000-yd, par-72 championship golf course.
The Golf Club at Red Rock has been designed to provide an exceptional golf experience to both the casual golfers and the more demanding payer. With a minimum of four tee .jpg) placements per hole, players of all levels can enjoy a challenging and exhilarating world-class golf experience at the Golf Club at Red Rock.
 This year we will be collecting and donating items during the Summit to Women Against Violence who make a difference in the lives of victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Rapid City area. We will be collecting the following items at registration:
- Baby Lotion, Shampoo & Bath
- Baby Powder
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Diapers (Size 4, 5, 6)
- Clothing
- New Swimsuits for Client Recreation
- New Underwear, Socks & Bras for Women and Children
- Pajamas for Women and Children (gently used)
- Sweat Suits for Women and Children (gently used)
- Cold Cereal
- Non-Perishable Items
- Disposable Razors
- Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads and Tampons)
- Full Size Body Washes
- Full Size Conditioner
- Full Size Deodorant
- Full Size Lotion
- Hair Spray or Gel
- Single Pack Combs/Brushes
- Sunscreen*
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste (adult and children)
- Bath Towels and Washcloths
- Bleach
- Brooms and dustpans
- Cascade
- Clorox Wipes
- Glass Plus
- Laundry Baskets
- Laundry Soap
- Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
- Murphy's Oil Soap
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Toilet Paper
Cash Envelopes
All credit unions that would like to participate are asked to bring envelopes, each with a cash amount up to $20. The envelopes will be awarded to attendees on Thursday, June 28 during the ice-cream social. Bring as many cash envelopes as you have registrants--for example, if you have twenty people attending, bring twenty envelopes. This will ensure everyone gets an envelope.
Silent Auction
We are asking each credit union to donate items for the auction. Items can be dropped off at the registration table during the following timeframes:
Wednesday, June 27, 7:30a.m.-5p.m.
Thursday, June 28, 7:30a.m.-12:15p.m.
Quest for Glory-Opening Keynote Billy Mills
Wednesday, June 27, 9:00 a.m.
Our world is changing. Entire governments have been dismantled, new governments created, existing governments redesigned, universities reengineered and businesses reconstructed, all to better prepare you and I for a rapidly changing world.
Billy will share what remains constant in our changing world. How we address this consistency is our key to global unity through the dignity character and beauty of global diversity.
He takes his audience on a compassionate and powerful journey, weaving stories of his young life as an orphaned Native American child living in poverty while encountering the ignorance of racism.
How Billy draws strength from the virtues and values of diversity and his Native American culture will help all individually and collectively to meet change by reaching within the depths of our capabilities and performing to the greatest of our potential.
We leave knowing it was the daily choices he made in life, not just the talent he possessed, that choreographed his quest for Olympic glory.
It is the journey, not the destination, where our empowerment from global dignity through global diversity, the future of humankind comes from.
Hot Topics, General Session, Debbie Matz, NCUA
June 27, 2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Join NCUA Chair Debbie Matz as she shares the latest news, trends, and hot topics with the National Credit Union Association.
The Economy and Credit Union Operations, Mike Schenk, CUNA
Breakout session, Thursday, June 28, 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. (CEO's)
The greatest economic crisis since the great depression has changed the political and financial landscape and has altered consumer behavior – perhaps for generations to come. While the crisis is over and the economy is growing, the shifts that began as the crisis mounted will have enduring effects on depository institutions. This presentation will assess how these shifts and how the changing economic outlook will shape credit union operating and financial results into 2013.
Integrated Social Media Marketing, Tim McAlphine, Currency Marketing
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Staff)
Move beyond simple Tweets and Facebook updates and into integrated marketing campaigns that include traditional and social media
Traditional media is not dead and social media is not the cure-all. You have a far greater chance of finding marketing nirvana when your strategy combines traditional and nontraditional real-world activities with an online destination to create excitement and inspire action in your own backyard. Tie a relevant and differentiated product offer to your campaign, and you have a legitimate recipe for success. Learn how your credit union can take its social media marketing activity to the next level.
Avoiding Director Liability, Guy Messick, Messick & Lauer P.C.
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 9:15a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Directors)
The job of being a credit union director is serious work and becoming more complicated. How do you do your job well and avoid liability issues from members and the regulators? This presentation will discuss the duties of a director, the legal standards of care, indemnification, regulator actions against directors, working with staff, and insurance and bonding.
What Front Porches, Long Drives Across Texas and Regrets In Australia Have To Do With You & Your Job?, Frank Diekmann, CU Journal
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Volunteers)
Is the credit union business model obsolete? Do consumers not get the whole concept? In this session, Credit Union Journal Publisher Frank J. Diekmann answers those questions drawing on experiences gained in collecting more than 360 CU conference nametags.
What Do Young People Want and Need?, Tim McAlphine, Currency Marketing
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Staff)
What are young people really looking for from their financial institution? Gen Y, Millennials, Net Generation, Echo Boomers, Generation Next—no matter what label you give them, the fact is, credit unions are failing to attract the next generation of members. There is a decade-plus age gap in the credit union industry. While the average age of a North American is 37 years old, the average age of a credit union member is almost 50. Credit unions are not replacing maturing depositors with young borrowers fast enough. But your credit union doesn’t have to fade into the history books. Learn how your credit union can understand and connect with young adults.
Collaborating for Survival, Guy Messick, Messick & Lauer P.C.
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (CEO's)
The traditional credit union model is under siege. Most credit unions cannot survive on the net interest margin anymore. New income sources will have to be developed and operational costs have to be reduced. This presentation will discuss new business models involving collaborations of credit unions. We will discuss how credit unions have earned significant net income through collaborations and how credit unions can develop even more effective collaborations that will enable more credit unions to survive, provided they act before it is too late.
25 Ideas That Are Working In Credit Unions, Frank Diekmann, CU Journal
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. (CEO’s)
Innovation and successful strategies for growth can be found at credit unions across the country. In this session 25 of those ideas are discussed and highlighted, in addition to another half-dozen insights that will give pause for thought.
Gold Medal Interest Rate Risk Policies, Greg Schwartz, CliftonLarsonAllen
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. (staff)
A new final rule is going to require every credit union over $50 million and some between $50M and $10M to have a new Interest Rate Risk policy and program in place by September of 2012. This session will help the credit unions develop a gold medal winning program for their examiners.
Go for the Gold, Loretta Claiborne
Break-out session, Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. (Directors)
Going for the gold in anything we set out to accomplish will take our very best. Loretta Claiborne will take you down her path of "going for the gold!" She will challenge you to think about your own life and how you need to prepare yourself to 'go for YOUR gold' as she tells her own stories of her quest for her gold. Gold to her means the best things in life, not necessarily a precious metal or monetary success, but personal success.
Closing Keynote, Overcoming Challenges, Loretta Claiborne
Thursday, June 28, 4:00 p.m. -5:30 p.m. Loretta Claiborne's entire life was filled with challenges. She was born with an intellectual disability, was legally blind, and was unable to walk. She grew up in the city projects where her challenges were great. Now, 58 years later, Loretta has run in 26 marathons, finishing with her personal best 3:03; is the recipient of the 1996 ESPY award - Arthur Ashe Award for Courage; holds a 4th degree black belt, speaks fluent American Sign Language, was bestowed two honorary doctorate degrees, and Walt Disney Produced her movie "The Loretta Claiborne Story" now on DVD. This is just a small snapshot of who Loretta is...once you hear her, you will be inspired! |