KAD Convention History and Highlights

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#1. 1909 JULY 5

Wichita

The first KAD convention was held at North Riverside Park in Wichita. A meeting followed, and Homer E. Grace (now the Rev. Homer E. Grace, DD) motioned to elect Emmette W. Simpson the temporary Chairman. Iona A. Tade was elected Secretary, and William E. Wait was elected Treasurer. A committee of three, J.J. Dold, Homer Grace, and Ison P. Haworth, was formed to draw up the constitution and by-laws, which were patterned after the Constitution and By-Laws of the Illinois Association of the Deaf. The purpose of the Kansas Association of the Deaf was "to promote the physical, moral, social, and educational welfare of the deaf persons of Kansas, to establish a home for the blind, aged, and infirm deaf people of Kansas." The organization was incorporated on January 25, 1910.

Attendance: 106

OFFICERS

President: J.J. Dold
1st Vice-President: Iona A Tade
2nd Vice-President: Edward Paxton
Secretary: Emmette Simpson
Treasurer: William Wait

#2. 1911 AUGUST 24-26

Leavenworth

The second convention was held at the Coliseum in Leavenworth. The official interpreter was Professor Frank Read, Jacksonville, Illinois.

The first day (Friday):

9:30 am - Meeting of the Association called to order by President J.J. Dold
Invocation
"America" - Miss Katharine R. Meldrum and Miss Margaret J. Stevenson
Address of welcome - His Honor, E.P. Doege, Mayor of Leavenworth
Response - Mrs. Morris S. Hayes, Lawrence
Reading of the Minutes - Secretary E. W. Simpson, Canton
President's Address - J.J. Dold, Olathe
Appointment of Committees
- Committee on Enrollment - Mr. McIlvain, Mr. Hunt, and Grace Flowers
- Committee on Necrology - Mr. Roberts, Mr. Hewitt, and Mr. Fryhofer
- Committee on Nominations - Mr. Hayes, Mr. Haner, and Katharine R. Meldrum
- Committee on Resolutions - M. Edetha Williams, Miss Wickham, and Mr. Elder
Address - "The Deaf as Citizens" - Hon. J.W. Parker, Olathe
Election of Officers - President J.J. Dold (Olathe), 1st Vice President Edith Hayes (Lawrence), 2nd Vice President Henry Sickel (Leavenworth), Secretary M. Edetha Williams (Osage City), and Treasurer W.E. Wait (Sawyer)
2:00 pm - Visit to the State Prison, National Soldiers' Home, Manufacturing Industries

The second day (Saturday)

9:00 am - Visit to the Federal Prison, Fort Leavenworth
1:30 pm - Business Session
Invocation
Reading of the Minutes
Communications
Oration - "The Menace of the Octopus," by George William Veditz, former President World's Congress of the Deaf, Colorado Springs
Report of Committees
The resolutions committee adopted the following resolutions:
- "Whereas, we note the increasing menace of the pure oral method, and its inadequacy in educating the deaf, be it resolved that this convention deeply regrets the action of the Nebraska legislature in making the Nebraska school a pure oral school."
- "Whereas, we feel that the bill to place the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind under the Board of Administration, along with the State University, Agricultural College and Normal Schools, would not have proved of the greatest benefit to the School for the Deaf, therefore be it resolved that the thanks of the Convention be tendered to Governor Stubbs for having vetoed the same and be it further resolved that we are in favor of the School for the Deaf being placed under an educational board of its own, with at least one member who is a deaaf man."
- Resolved, that a Law Committee of three be appointed, the President to be one of the members and ex-Officio Chairman, to secure the enactment of legislation to put effectualy a stop to the practice of hearing persons imposing upon the public, by pretending to be deaf and dumb, and to look after any other legislation or enactment of such, in which the Association may be interested."
- "Whereas, the deaf, as a class, feel it is their duty to recognize the efforts of all men to better their condition; and whereas, the deaf are, in large measure, deprived of the benefits derived from fraternal societies of the hearing, be it resolved, that this Association endorses the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, a society organized by deaf men and conducted successfully by deaf men."
Report of Treasurer - W.E. Wait, Sawyer
The treasurer reported 105 paid memberships, and it was regretted that the whole membership was not represented at the convention.
New Business
Adjournment

The third day (Sunday)

Picnic at National Soldiers' Home

The following were made honorary members of the association: Hon. J.W. Parker, Professor Frank Read, Reverend Father Herron, and Miss Margaret J. Stevenson.

Thanks and acknowledments were extended to the following: Mayor Albert Doege, the "Ad" club, and citizens of Leavenworth; Professor Frank Read; the press of Leavenworth; the Executive Committee of the Association; Dr. E.H. Currier for the loan of the Fanwood motion picture films, and to the National Association of the Deaf for a similar loan of the Gallaudet films.

Attendance: 76

OFFICERS

President: J.J. Dold
1st Vice-President: Edith Hayes
2nd Vice-President: Henry Sickel
Secretary: M. Edetha Williams
Treasurer: William Wait

#3. 1914 AUGUST 7-8

Kansas City

In a letter dated May 26, 1913, the secretary, Edetha Williams, wrote to members:

"To the members:

The National Association of the Deaf meets at Cleveland, Ohio, in August, 1913, and to enable the Deaf of Kansas to attend the same, it has been deemed best to postpone the Convention of the Kansas Association of the Deaf until the summer of 1914. Therefore the Executive Committee, by a unanimous vote has so postponed the holding of the Convention. By the President."

The convention was postponed from 1913 to 1914 and started meeting in even years to allow members to attend the National Convention of the Deaf. 116 participants attended the third convention at the Fraternal Hall in Kansas City. The Association established a Home Fund to establish a home for the aged, deaf, blind, and infirm.

Attendance: 38

OFFICERS

President: Emmette Simpson
1st Vice-President: Bessie Wait
2nd Vice-President: Norman Hunt
Secretary: Ethel Wickham
Treasurer: William Wait
Board Members: Mrs. E.B. Sprague and Mrs. Bessie Hunt

#4. 1917 AUGUST 27-29

Topeka

The Topeka Capital-Journal covered the convention, organized by Myrtle E. Murphy. Two hundred Kansans were estimated to be in attendance on the first day at the National Hotel, with 150 members already registered and more arriving by train. The Monday morning program opened with the song "America" in sign language by Mrs. Morris S. Hayes, without piano accompaniment. Then the President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Dr. J.H. Cloud, gave the invocation. Dr. Cloud was an ordained Episcopal minister for the deaf and also an instructor of the deaf at a day school in St. Louis. After the invocation, Mayor House and Judge C.W. Smith (on behalf of Governor Capper) welcomed the attendees to Topeka, with the help of an interpreter, S.T. Walker of Merriam (Charles Eldridge of Olathe was the second official interpreter for the convention). Mrs. Iona Tade Simpson responded to the Mayor and Judge's welcoming address.

The KAD president, Emmette W. Simpson, was ill back home in Springfield, Colorado, and was unable to attend. 2nd Vice-President Norman D. Hunt of Kansas City delivered his address in his absence. In his address, President Simpson expressed his appreciation for J.C. Mohler, secretary of the state board of agriculture, for replacing "deaf and dumb" with "deaf and mute" on the 1915 state census. Simpson urged deaf people to become more involved in improving their own quality of life, especially by erecting and maintaining a home for the aged and infirm deaf and deaf-blind of Kansas, which has been a longtime goal of the association. He also deplored attempts by some teachers of the deaf to impose oralism exclusively on deaf people. He believed that oralism would isolate a part of the deaf community even more than ever.

After the President's address, committees were appointed. In the afternoon, Arthur L. Roberts presented his report on the Hartford Centennial Celebration, which took place earlier that summer from June 29 to July 3 in Hartford, Connecticut. Roberts reported on the alarming proportions to which the propaganda against the marriage of deaf or mute persons had grown in the past few years. NAD would carry on a bitter fight against the spread of the propaganda. A committee was appointed to gather data, which is believed to show that the children of deaf persons are not deaf to an abnormal degree, and that those who are deaf can't establish homes unless they are allowed to have life mates also afflicted in the same manner. It was urged that KAD members get married immediately or join NAD in their fight against the eugenists.

Solomon H. Lantz, from Coats, delivered an address in which he urged every deaf person to do his bit, though he was barred from military service. He told of many men who had applied for enlistment but were disappointed to find that their misfortune kept them from shouldering a gun and hastening to help fight the kaiser during World War I.

Ed McElvain, chief of the "anti-impostor" department of NAD for the state of Kansas, described how the national organization was trying to eliminate the impostors, who, under the guise of deaf mutes, become professional beggars. It was stated that no genuine mute ever becomes a beggar, which was repeated time and time again. The impostors who, by assuming to be unable to talk, work upon the sympathies of the public should be run out of the country or locked in jail.

Following the program, an officer election was held for the following three terms: Ulysses G. Miller (Lebo) was elected President, Luther Tayler (Olathe) was 1st vice president, Mrs. Edward Funk (Topeka) was 2nd vice president, Edward McIlvain (Olathe) was secretary, and William Wait (Sawyer) was treasurer. Luther Taylor was a former baseball player, having played with the New York Giants for several seasons and filling a pitcher's position for one season on the Topeka team in the Western League. To thousands of baseball fans across the United States, Taylor was known as "Dummy".

A reception was held that night at the Chamber of Commerce in honor of the visitors by the Topeka members of the association. Those on the reception committee were Mr. and Mrs. Edward Funk, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Perney, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Becker, Fannie Taylor Harshman, Miss Myers, and Myrtle E. Murphy.

The second day of the convention had an invocation, communications, reports, and new business at Memorial Hall. The Orpheum Theatre played moving picture films in sign language with an admission fee of 10 cents. The movies played were "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address" by Dr. Thomas F. Fox, "The Universal Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God" by R.P. MacGregor, "The Preservation of the Sign Language" by George William Vediz, "Death of Minnehaha" by Mrs. Mary Williamson Erd, and "Signs and Signs" by J. Schuyler Long. The Chamber of Commerce arranged an auto ride for attendees, visiting locations such as the State Capitol, the Industrial School for Boys, Washburn College, Santa Fe shops, the state printing plant, beautiful parks, and scenic drives. Later that night, it was open for special meetings of all deaf organizations. Olathe Division No. 14, assisted by Kansas City Division No. 31, National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, held a conclave.

Attendance: Approximately 150-200

OFFICERS

President: Ulysses G. Miller
1st Vice-President: Luther Taylor
2nd Vice-President: Mrs. Edward Funk
Secretary: Edward McIlvain
Treasurer: William Wait

#5. 1920 SEPTEMBER 4-6

Wichita

Sixty-seven participants attended the fifth convention at the public library in Wichita. The enthusiasm returned after the war when the Association made several worthwhile motions. Among the motions passed were:

To employ more of the manual (sign language) and less of the oral method at the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) in Olathe;
to request KSD to revive its school publication, the Kansas Star, so that the students could benefit from the printing trade and the alumni could remain in touch with the school;
to have KSD establish an agricultural class at the school farm so the students could have some farm knowledge after graduation; and
KSD should establish a military training program for its students.

Attendance: 67

OFFICERS

President: Edward Foltz
1st Vice-President: George Harms
2nd Vice-President: Mrs. Nettie Keach
Secretary: Edward McIlvain
Treasurer: William Wait
Board Members: Frank Dohrmann and Mrs. Charles Bell

#6. 1923 SEPTEMBER 1-3

Olathe

The sixth convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. There were 184 active and 20 associate members.

Attendance: 203

OFFICERS

President: Edward Foltz
1st Vice-President: Ulysses Miller
2nd Vice-President: Katherine Meldrum
Secretary: Winifred Dedrick
Treasurer: Edward McIlvain
Board Members: Iona A. Tade Simpson (Mrs. T.C. Simpson) and J.J. Dold

#7. 1926 SEPTEMBER 4-6

Olathe

The seventh convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe.

Attendance: unknown

OFFICERS

President: Edward Foltz
1st Vice-President: Nathan Lahn
2nd Vice-President: Chauncey Laughlin
Secretary: Katherine Meldrum
Treasurer: Edward McIlvain
Board Members: J. Orman and Iona A. Tade Simpson (Mrs. T.C. Simpson)

#8. 1929 AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 2

Olathe

The eighth convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. The next convention would not take place until August 1940 due to the Great Depression, and during that time, Kansas faced years of drought, grasshopper swarms, and great dust storms. Funds had been acquired through the administration of Governor Alf Landon.

Attendance: unknown

OFFICERS

President: Edward Foltz
1st Vice-President: John Dusch
2nd Vice-President: Joseph Kaufmann
Secretary: Fern Dwyer
Treasurer: Edward McIlvain

#9. 1936 AUGUST 29-31

Olathe

Attendance: 157

OFFICERS

President: Joseph Kaufmann
1st Vice-President: William Wait
2nd Vice-President: Irvin Fisher
Secretary: Frank Dohrmann
Treasurer: Edward McIlvain
Board Members: Mrs. Theora Malm and Mrs. E.H. McIlvain

#10. 1940 AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 2

Olathe

Orginally planned to be held in 1939 in Olathe, the political climate at the Kansas School of the Deaf forced the KAD convention to be postponed a year later.

Attendance: near 400

OFFICERS

President: Theora Malm
1st Vice-President: Eugene Smoak
2nd Vice-President: William Marra
Secretary: Frank Dohrmann
Treasurer: Edward McIlvain
Board Members: J.J. Dold and Iona A. Tade Simpson (Mrs. T.C. Simpson)

#21. 1971 JULY 9-11

Overland Park

The twenty-first convention was held at the Glenwood Manor Motel in Overland Park. Since the NAD was buying a building for its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, it sent a letter to the associations requesting loans at 6% interest. A motion was then made to loan the NAD $1,000.00, and it passed.

Attendance: 193

#22. 1973 JUNE 15-17

Topeka

The twenty-second convention was held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka. At this convention, a proposal to amend president-elected was made into the By-Laws, and a resolution was passed that the KAD does not recognize RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) as a duly authorized organization to send interpreters to the legal proceedings in the state for the deaf in courts.

Attendance: 245

#23. 1975 AUGUST 8-10

Salina

The twenty-third convention was held at the Hilton Inn in Salina. The first biennial KAD picnic was proposed and passed, with Manhattan hosting it the following year.

Attendance: 217

#24. 1977 MAY 27-29

Olathe

The twenty-fourth convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe and was hosted by the Olathe Club of the Deaf. KAD donated 6 TTYs to KSD and $800.00 to buy equipment for the Student Center. KAD voted to drop the position of President-elect.

Attendance: 330

#25. 1979 AUGUST 3-5

Hutchinson

The twenty-fifth convention was held at the Holidome in Hutchinson. The association had signed a contract with the United Deaf Services. Division of Heritage Publishing Company in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to print KAD's official program book, which was distributed at the convention. This was the first time the convention had access to the complete and informative book. The association received $1,000.00 under the agreement. Heritage wanted to sign a contract with the association to publish the program book each year, but the convention found it not feasible and agreed to publish every two years. It was put on hold until the executive board discussed more details with the publisher.

Attendance: unknown

#26. 1981 AUGUST 7-9

Wichita

The twenty-sixth convention was held at the Holiday Inn Plaza in Wichita. According to his will, the family of Frank LaRosh established the Frank LaRosh Scholarship. The first KSD graduate to receive was Lloyd High from Tonganoxie for his vocational training in Salina. The first Miss Deaf Kansas Pageant was held during this convention. Lori Winter was the winner of the pageant.

Attendance: 207

#27. 1983 JUNE 24-26

Lawrence

The twenty-seventh convention was held at the Holidome in Lawrence and was hosted by the Topeka Association of the Deaf. KSD ALMANAC was published, containing the school's athletic records and the names of all graduates (up to 1982). KAD passed a resolution praising KCTV5 for beginning to provide closed captioning on its news in the Kansas City area. KAD donated $500.00 to NAD for NADTV access to help NAD convince CBS to make closed captioned TV more readily available. The Kansas Legislature had established the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (KCDHI) with state funding in 1982. This was due to the efforts of KROSHI, in conjunction with KAD.

Attendance: 180

#28. 1985 JULY 5-7

Overland Park

The twenty-eighth convention was held at the Glenwood Manor in Overland Park and hosted by the Missouri-Kansas Telecommunications for the Deaf. This was the first time that a service organization took over as host. "DEAFinitely so" was published, which was a collection of news articles written by Fred Murphy for the Olathe Daily News.

Attendance: 226

#29. 1987 AUGUST 14-16

Wichita

The twenty-ninth convention was at the Ramada Inn in Wichita and hosted by the Mid-Kansas TTY organization. KAD called for 51% representation of deaf people on the KCDHI board of directors. For the first time in KAD's history, KAD agreed to lend $20,000 to the Wichita Association of the Deaf to refinance the mortgage on their building. KAD agreed to donate six new Apple computers to KSD. KAD praised KAKE-TV in Wichita and KTKA-TV in Topeka for starting closed captioning of their local news. "Book 2: KSD" was published to honor KSD's 125th Anniversary.

Attendance: unknown

#30. 1989 AUGUST 3-6

Salina

The thirtieth convention was held at the Red Coach Inn in Salina and hosted by the Roadrunner Camper Association. The minutes were printed in the 1991 KAD Program Book. The Miss Deaf Kansas Pageant was resumed at this convention. Kristy Heustis was crowned as the 2nd Miss Deaf Kansas. "DEAFinitely So - Book 2" was published.

Attendance: unknown

#11. 1947 MAY 30 - JUNE 1

Olathe

The eleventh convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. Due to World War II, KAD did not meet until 1946. However, the polio epidemic was so severe that a large gathering of people (346) was not advisable, so the convention was postponed until 1947. One of the noteworthy changes at this meeting was to hold future conventions in different cities rather than repeatedly at the school.

Attendance: 215

OFFICERS

President: George Harms
1st Vice-President: John O'Connor
2nd Vice-President: Frank Mikesell
Secretary: William Marra
Treasurer: Stanley Fergason
Board Members: Edward McIlvain and Pauline Conwell

#12. 1950 MAY 27-29

Wichita

The twelfth convention was held at the Broadview Hotel in Wichita. A letter was received from Dr. Powrie V. Doctor, a native Kansan and a professor at Gallaudet College (University) in Washington, D.C., suggesting that a plaque honoring the late Phillip A. Emery, the founder of the Kansas School for the Deaf, be presented to the new primary building being built, which had been named in his honor. Those attending the convention accepted the suggestion. The Home Fund was dissolved, and its funds were transferred to the Emergency Fund. William Marra headed the museum project. A committee of three —Mary Ross, Willis Ayers, and William Marra —was established to revise the KAD Constitution and By-Laws, which had not been changed since 1909.

Attendance: 182

OFFICERS

President: Victor Hottle
1st Vice-President: Mina Munz
2nd Vice-President: Archie Grier
Secretary: Pauline Conwell
Treasurer: Stanley Fergason

#13. 1953 AUGUST 14-16

Manhattan

The thirteenth convention was held at the Wareham Hotel in Manhattan. The treasury showed a large increase over the past years of the Association's existence. Most of the credit for the increase went to William Marra, who with others, collected old newspapers, magazines, etc., and sold them for cash, which was turned over to the KAD treasury. Dr. Powrie V. Doctor wrote a letter to the convention suggesting that three more people be immortalized at the Kansas School for the Deaf; Mrs. Phillip Emery, wife of the founder of the school and the first teacher and matron at the school; Dr. Arthur Roberts, the late Grand President of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf and a former teacher at the school; Mr. Luther "Dummy" Taylor, an alumni of the school and the coach who promoted clean sportsmanship at the school. He was also a pitcher for the New York Giants baseball team from 1900 to 1908. The convention accepted the suggestion, and plaques were being prepared in their honor when the new buildings were ready to be built at the school. The convention also voted to present honorary life membership to Dr. Powrie Doctor for his interest in the deaf of Kansas and his assistance to the Association. The Constitution and By-Laws Revision Committee presented its report, and minor changes to the Association's object and the establishment of four membership categories were accepted.

Attendance: 273

OFFICERS

President: Victor Hottle
1st Vice-President: Mina Munz
2nd Vice-President: Archie Grier
Secretary: Pauline Conwell
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Francis Srack and George Lancaster

#14. 1956 AUGUST 17-19

Topeka

The fourteenth convention was held at the Jayhawk Hotel in Topeka. A motion was made to have KAD pay half of the cost of the new flagpole for Hubbard Field, the athletic field at KSD. Maurice Hubbard, son of the late Paul Hubbard, in whose honor the field was named, was to take care of the other half of the expense. For their outstanding service to KAD, Mr. William Marra and Mr. Stanley D. Roth were awarded life membership of the Association.

Attendance: 271

OFFICERS

President: Harold Kistler
1st Vice-President: Joseph Malm
2nd Vice-President: Mina Munz
Secretary: Theora Malm
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Pauline Conwell and Frank Dohrmann

#15. 1959 AUGUST 14-16

Wichita

The Golden Jubilee Convention (KAD's 50th Year) was held in Wichita. Since the other state associations for the deaf had voted to claim an additional exemption of $600.00 on Federal income tax because of deafness, KAD discussed the issue and rejected it because the members felt that accepting the exemption would challenge their deaf pride.

Attendance: 273

OFFICERS

President: Stanley Fergason
1st Vice-President: Albert Sack
2nd Vice-President: Joseph Malm
Secretary: Fern Foltz
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Pauline Conwell and Theora Malm

#16. 1962 AUGUST 17-19

Olathe

The sixteenth convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. Since the convention had been meeting every three years, a motion was made to meet every two years. After considerable discussion, it passed. The convention was then to meet next in 1964. Another action was the changes in the By-Laws Amendments. The duties of the first and second vice presidents were amended to make these offices more meaningful. As amended, the first vice president was responsible for future revisions or amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws; the second vice president was responsible for publicity.

Attendance: 445

OFFICERS

President: Stanley Fergason
1st Vice-President: William Fansler
2nd Vice-President: Pauline Conwell
Secretary: Fern Foltz
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Mina Munz and Jerry Crabb

#17. 1964 AUGUST 7-9

Hutchinson

The seventeenth convention was held at the Baker Hotel in Hutchinson. This convention was the first to be held biennially. The resolution thanking and encouraging WIBW-TV of Topeka, among the nation's first TV stations to use a visual tornado warning, was presented at the convention and accepted.

Attendance: 201

OFFICERS

President: William Fansler
1st Vice-President: James Randall
2nd Vice-President: Eugene Ash
Secretary: Fern Foltz
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Pauline Conwell and Roger Falberg

#18. 1966 AUGUST 12-14

Kansas City

The eighteenth convention was held in Kansas City. The scholarship for students of the Kansas School for the Deaf was brought up at the 1964 convention as part of the old business to be discussed. It was controversial, and the motion failed. The Arts and Special Interest Committee was established to encourage people to show off their artistic abilities at future conventions.

Attendance: 152

OFFICERS

President: William Fansler
1st Vice-President: Erlene Graybill
2nd Vice-President: Alvin O'Connor
Secretary: Dorothy Ruge
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Jerry Crabb and Pauline Conwell

#19. 1968 JULY 26-28

Topeka

The nineteenth convention took place at the Ramada Inn Motel in Topeka. The Association, along with seven other state associations, investigated the potential establishment of the Senior Deaf Citizen Housing Corporation in Oklahoma. During the convention, members accepted a resolution encouraging them to donate their inner ear to the National Bone Bank after death by including this decision in their wills.

Attendance: 242

OFFICERS

President: Wilbur Ruge
1st Vice-President: Billy Nedrow
2nd Vice-President: Doris Heil
Secretary: Alvin O'Connor
Treasurer: Henry Yahn
Board Members: Jerry Crabb and Larry McGlynn

#20. 1970 AUGUST 14-16

Wichita

The twentieth convention was held at the Broadway Hotel in Wichita. At the business meeting, travel expenses for trips to and from board meetings were approved to boost members' interest in running for office. The convention endorsed the involvement of the Kansas Roundtable of Organizations Serving the Hearing Impaired (KROSHI). The name "Necrology Committee" was changed to "Statistics and Registry Committee" to broaden its record-keeping of deaf people. A motion was made to hold the KAD Biennial meeting in odd years to avoid conflict with the NAD Convention, which meets biennially in even years.

Attendance: unknown

OFFICERS

President: Wilbur Ruge
1st Vice-President: Billy Nedrow
2nd Vice-President: Dorothy Ruge
Secretary: Alvin O'Connor
Treasurer: Doris Heil
Board Members: Jerry Crabb and Kenneth Milner

#31. 1991 OCTOBER 3-6

Olathe

The thirty-first convention was held at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. Among the actions taken by the convention were changes to the By-Laws. These changes included the following: to ensure the association was qualified as exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; to add a dissolution clause to the Kansas Education Foundation; to require a representative from KAD to attend the Family Center Unit meetings at KUMC and to donate $500; to ask the Kansas Legislature to propose that the State of Kansas recognize the Educational Bill of Rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children; to upgrade or establish the KAD Hall of Fame in the Marra Museum; to accept the purchase of one of three lots from Jim Silvers for up to $50,000 from the general fund - the property will be deeded to KAD as part of the proposed Deaf Cultural Center building; and to appoint a subcommittee to prepare a legislative bill relating to ASL in accredited schools in the state.

Attendance: 249

#32. 1993 JULY 22-25

Hays

The thirty-second convention was held at Fort Hays University in Hays. Actions taken by the convention included the following: change in the By-laws regarding delegation sent to the NAD convention which mandated that two delegates from the KAD board and a third from the convention would represent KAD; KAD and KCDHH were to work jointly in asking the Kansas Corporation Commission to mandate the KRSI distribute free TTYs to qualified Deaf and Hard of Hearing users; KAD was to develop new convention guidelines for the 1997 convention; KAD was to approach the State VR to establish the position of State Coordinator for the Deaf and to hire a qualified person for that position; the State Board of Education was to develop minimum program standard for deaf and hard of hearing children; the State Board of Education to be required to continue its support of the philosophy of hiring qualified deaf professionals in various positions within KSD; and finally to request that the State Board of Education and the State Legislature not change the present status of KSD and its outstanding mission to serve normal deaf children.

Attendance: 169

#33. 1995 AUGUST 17-20

Topeka

Two hundred and twenty-five participants attended the thirty-third convention, which was held at the Holiday Inn West in Topeka. The Topeka Association of the Deaf's 1994 annual picnic was the kickoff for the fundraising event and the convention planning. The Topeka Capital-Journal sent its reporter to interview KAD officers about issues facing the Deaf and Hard of Hearing concerning Vocational Rehabilitation Reform and Telecommunications deregulation bills. Four workshops were presented. Kansas Relay Service, Inc. had its luncheon and a business meeting. The Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KDCHH) held its board meeting, during which several reports were presented. The Miss Deaf Kansas Pageant was held at the nearby Landon Middle School auditorium. There were only two contestants, Jessica Kerby and Katie Canfield. The event drew close to 200 people, with Wayne Munich as the emcee. Jessica Kirby was crowned as the 1995-1997 Miss Deaf Kansas. A wine-and-cheese reception was held at this convention, sponsored by KRSI. Albert Carr gave two one-man skits, "Who Am I?" and "On a First Date." The business meeting was held. After the election, there was a banquet. The president gave the KAD awards to those who have worked hard to serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers in Kansas.

Attendance: 225

#34. 1997 JULY 24-27

Wichita

The 34th Biennial KAD Convention was held in Wichita on July 24-27 at the Harvey Hotel. The convention attracted 211 registrants. A record-breaking 31 exhibition booths provided information to registrants. Eight workshops were held on Friday, July 25, and they were very popular, drawing a large audience. The workshops were: ASL Literature; Interpreting Public Schools; Telecommunications Access Program; Basic Financial Planning; Concents; Adventures in Community-Based Programs for the Deaf; Going Through Your Way; MCE in Educational Settings and the Basics of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Approvals made by the convention:

A committee was to be set up and given responsibility for ensuring that all future conventions would receive assistance with the Arts and Crafts Program. Silent arts-and-crafts auctions should also be held, with proceeds going to a worthy cause.
Amend the profit percentage breakdown from Modern Captioned Movie showings to be evenly split between the Deaf Cultural Center and the hosting organizations, provided captioned movies are shown.
Request that the Kansas State Board of Education add wording to the Deaf Education Standard to include that Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Individual Education Plan meetings be given information about Deaf Education programs at local schools and the Kansas School for the Deaf.
Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students over 12 years old shall have the right to choose deaf education programs, either within a regular school program or at KSD, through an IEP process.
Increase the LaRosh scholarship from $500 per winner per year to $1,000.
KAD to take the lead in establishing a "Blue Ribbon" task force to review the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth related issues and to review teacher certification requirements.

Since the convention, KAD has been involved in the passage of the Newborn Infant Hearing Screening Act through a KCDHH committee. KAD worked with Kansas Advocacy and Protective Services, Inc., to establish a process for referring Deaf and Hard of Hearing People to appropriate legal assistance. A Legal Defense Fund was established, which helped pay for specific interpreting services for eligible clients in legal cases and referred them to state agencies that handle employment discrimination. KAD sponsored political rallies at local deaf club picnics during the summer of 1998.

Attendance: 211

#35. 1999 JULY 22-25

Olathe

The 35th biennial KAD conference was held at the Holiday Inn in Olathe on July 22-25. A total of 304 people participated in the event. The conference was jointly hosted by the Kansas Education Foundation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KEF) and the Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). The roundtable meeting was held for the first time in KAD's history. Over 100 participants attended to discuss Deaf rights, education, interpreter service, 911 emergency services, and Legal Aid Service. Four workshops were presented:

S.T.A.R. - Education with deaf children by Nancy Eades
Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Rebecca Rosenthal, Executive Director
ADA updates and changes by Tom Kober, NAD Region II Board Member
Y2K - Get ready for January 1, 2000, by Andy Lange of Alabama

Important issues were brought up during the business meeting:

Changes in the By-laws from "convention" to "conference" and revise the 2nd Vice-President's position as chair of KAD Public Relations.

Major accomplishments from the conference:

Establishment of the education/interpreter task force committee
Affiliation Organization Task Force Committee
KAD to work with ASL Access
KAD rally and political picnic during the summer of 2000
established the youth program JrKAD and the first state-wide JrKAD Conference on November 6, 1999

KAD received a state association award, "Exceptional Advocacy, Program and Service" from the National Association of the Deaf in July 2000.

Attendance: 304

#36. 2001 JULY 19-22

Salina

The 36th Biennial Conference was held at the Holiday Inn in Salina on July 19-22, hosted by the Salina Association of the Deaf. 180 people attended the conference. More changes in the KAD bylaws: changes in affiliation to KAD, allowing representatives from each local deaf club to attend and participate on the Executive Board without voting rights; changes to two board members' duties to serve on the financial and publicity committees.

New business brought up during the meeting was:

Establish Deaf Education as a standing committee
Start an E-Group Email for the Kansas Deaf Roundtable under an Internet provider
KAD to approve the guidelines for affiliates, chapters, and organization members
KAD to set up a memorial investment for Senior Citizens to meet the wishes of donors for a specific purpose
Establish a $500 scholarship for Miss Deaf Kansas at the pageant

Attendance: 180

#37. 2003 JUNE 19-22

Topeka

KAD grew to over 400 members in 2003, making it one of the top 10 State Associations in membership. The adjoining State Associations had an average of 150 members each. President Jack Cooper did a great job reaching out to deaf people across Kansas. Under 1st Vice President Leonard Hall, KAD successfully hosted a biannual Political Rally Picnic and co-hosted political rallies with several local deaf organizations, including Emporia, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita, over the past six years. Each political rally attracted several candidates for U.S. Congress, state offices (attorney general, secretary of state, insurance commissioner, state treasurer, state representatives, and state senate), and many deaf and hard-of-hearing people with local newspaper coverage. KAD voted to send newsletters by e-newsletter or email to many local deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Under 2nd Vice President Bonnie Goben, KAD launched its website, www.KSKAD.org, for public use. The highlight of the 2003 conference was the excitement of preparing for the 47th annual National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Conference, which would be held in Kansas City, Missouri, and hosted by KAD in 2004. Over 1,500 people from across the country attended the weeklong NAD conference. The KAD/NAD host committee, with 30 members, was chaired by Mary Hughes and did an outstanding job with the NAD Conference.

Attendance: 109

#38. 2005 JULY 20-24

Olathe

The 38th Biennial Conference was held in Olathe on July 21-23 at the Kansas School for the Deaf. More than 130 Deaf people attended. The conference theme was "Developing Leaders of Tomorrow".

Workshops included "Leadership from Within", "What can NAD do for You?", "VRS and Regulations on Interpreters"
The Miss Deaf Kansas Pageant was not held during the conference. The pageant was rescheduled for a later time. Pamela Siebert was crowned as Miss Deaf Kansas (2005-2007).
Instead of hosting the Miss Deaf Kansas Pageant during the conference, "Hollywood Games" was held, featuring nine actors/actresses. People in the audience who guessed the correct answers won woodworking prizes created by Chair Ken Milner.
The KAD Board Officers elected for 2005-2007 were Leonard Hall (President), Kevin Milner (First Vice President), Shane Dundas (Second Vice President), Ann Cooper (Secretary), Mike Muszynski (Treasurer), Glenda Haefner (Board Member - Membership), Rosetta Duren (Board Member - Newsletter), Tami Waddell (State Pageant Director), Mary Hughes (Delegate-at-Large), and Jack Cooper (President Emetrius)
The conference concluded on Saturday night with a banquet at KSD's Lamm Dining area. The guest speaker was Mark Apocada, NAD Vice President, on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf.
Individuals and organizations in Kansas were honored with the Distinguished Service Award, Meritorious Award, Gold Hand Award, President's Award, and Special Recognition Award.

Attendance: 125

#39. 2007 JUNE 14-17

Hutchinson

The 39th Biennial Conference was held in Hutchinson on June 7-9. Approximately 100 to 125 deaf people attended the conference.

Conference attendees toured the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center on the first day of the conference. The museum displayed the renovated Apollo 13 capsule, the Liberty Bell, and other NASA spacecraft. The conference's theme was "Future of Deaf in Space - 100 Years Later".
Workshops included "Deaf Works", "Domestic Violence", and "A Day in the Life of an Education Sign Language Interpreter".
Tanna Kolb (Wichita) was crowned as Miss Deaf Kansas (2007-2009), and Sarah Goodwin (Wichita) was runner-up.
The KAD Board Officers elected for 2007-2009 were Ann Cooper (President), Shane Dundas (Vice President), Pamela Siebert (Secretary), Mike Muszynski (Treasurer), *Elizabeth Radcliffe (Membership Coordinator), *Melanie McKay-Cody (Youth Program Coordinator), and Leonard Hall (President Emeritus). *Glenda Haefner later replaced Elizabeth Radcliff, and Rebecca Rosenthal replaced Melanie McKay-Cody.
The conference concluded with a banquet held at the hotel. The guest speaker was Linsay Darnall Jr., NAD Region 2 Board, about the National Association of the Deaf and Gallaudet University President Protest.
Individuals and organizations were honored for their work serving deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Kansas: Distinguished Service Award (Western Kansas Deaf and Hard of Hearing Referall Services - Hays), Meritorius Award (Mary Hughes - Lenexa), Golden Hands Award (Mike Flickinger - Hutchinson, Tami Waddell - Olathe, Ann Cooper - Gardner, and Shane Dundas - Wichita), President's Award (D.E.A.F. Sunday, Sandra Kelly - Olathe), and Special Recognition Award (IBM Corporation, Pamela Siebert - Overland Park).

Attendance: 106

#40. 2009 JUNE 4-7

Wichita

Attendance: 188