About Wisconsin Chapter APDA

Since September 2005, the chapter has raised over $40,000
for Parkinson's patient and caregiver support and Parkinson's
research, and helped establish two new support groups.

Chapter meetings are held monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at
5:30 p.m. in the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Neurology Library (H6/581 CSC). 

Chapter Responsibilities

1. Collaborate in meeting APDA goals and philosophy
2. Participate in community awareness and public relations activities
3. Provide leadership training and resources for volunteers
4. Conduct fund-raising activities

5. Coordinate annual Walk-a-Thon
6. Cooperate with I & R Center in providing resources for support groups
7. Cooperate in regional conference planning and implementation
8. Carry out required administrative responsibilities (e.g., financial reports, donor acknowledgements)

From APDA National

(The following is based on information from the National organization about the role of state chapters.)

The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., has placed a vast emphasis on grassroots organizing of Information and Referral (I & R) Centers, chapters, and support groups.  Since the initiation of Operation Outreach in 1983, the number of chapters, their efficiency, and the funds they have raised has grown dramatically.  It is this grassroots structure that separates APDA from other organizations serving people with Parkinson's disease.

APDA chapters have two functions:  fund raising and awareness.  Chapters operate as an integral part of the national organization, and the financial statements of both are combined at the end of the year for reporting to the IRS.  The benefits of chapter operations assist the national research and education programs but are most important in their local outreach, programs, and education.

Following is a list of accomplishments by local chapters to "ease the burden . . . to find the cure" for Parkinson's disease:

1.  Raise funds for research.  The APDA research program has been involved in every major breakthrough in clinical and applied research for more than 35 years, and funds raised at the local level have helped make this possible.

2.  Hold or assist in holding educational symposia, which draw thousands of people together each year and feature the world's finest speakers on Parkinson's disease.

3.  Secure media attention to provide information about available APDA resources to those unaware of them and to raise public awareness and understanding about Parkinson’s disease.

4.  Publish newsletters to keep people informed of local and national events affecting the Parkinson's community, individually or in cooperation with the local I & R Center.

5.  Fund or assist in funding local programs of support, therapy, research, or information and referral centers.

6.  Act as local representatives of APDA for programs, utilization, and growth.

7.  Assist support groups through referrals, funding, organization, and materials in cooperation with the local I & R Center.

8.  Encourage and support volunteer involvement in the organizations serving people with Parkinson's disease.

9.  Directly represent and advocate the interests of those afflicted with Parkinson's disease through the local organization.

In all cases, flexibility is emphasized, as each chapter is different in its goals and resources.  We have emphasized what is shared among our diverse groups and the framework within which chapters have achieved so much progress in such a short time to "ease the burden . . . to find the cure."