Blogs

Staff Highlight: Becky Groen, Finance and Member Services Manager

As ARRM's Finance and Member Services Manager, what does your work primarily entail?

I am responsible for all accounting work at ARRM. That includes day-to-day accounting tasks, monthly reporting to the Finance Committee, working with our auditors to complete our annual reports, and helping to develop ARRM's annual operating budget. I also process member dues and invoices, assist members with any issues relating to their accounts, and work to ensure data integrity in ARRM's systems. I started last year as a part-time employee, doing strictly accounting work. I am very excited to be expanding my role this year, and look forward to the new responsibilities.

In the past, you worked as a freelance accountant and compliance specialist. Was it a major transition going from freelance to ARRM?

It was a big change, but in a good way. I used to work predominantly for political campaigns as a consultant, and generally worked alone. I think the best part of the transition to ARRM is becoming a member of this amazing team!

With it now being 2020, you have a lot going on! What have you been tackling this month?

January is probably the busiest month of the year from an accounting perspective, so I've been doing a lot! I've been working on closing the books on 2019, completing tax filings, preparing for our annual audit, and working to transition our books to new accounting software. We also process the majority of our dues in January, so that has kept me quite busy.

Speaking of the New Year, have you made any resolutions for 2020?

My resolution this year is to start running again. I used to be an avid runner, but slowly gave it up as my workload increased and I felt I didn't have the time. I've stuck with it so far, but you might want to check in with me later in the year 😊

What has been your most valuable experience since starting at ARRM?

Last September I helped to complete ARRM's 2020 annual budget. I jumped into that process just a few weeks after I started, which was certainly challenging, but really helped me to understand the organization.

Workwise, what are some things you hope to achieve this year?

I am relatively new to the Imis database software that ARRM uses, so this year I am hoping to complete some training courses that may help to streamline some of our internal processes. I will also be working this year to compile an internal guide for ARRM's finance department, to ensure that there is an accurate and concise record of our financial procedures.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Downhill skiing is my favorite activity by far, so I really love this time of year. Even though I complain about shoveling, I am actually very excited anytime we have fresh snow. I have a season pass to Welch Village by Red Wing and am often down there on the weekends.

Contact Becky: bgroen@arrm.org

Staff Snapshots

Sue Schettle, CEO

Updates: I've been busy! The work of the Blue Ribbon Commission is getting intense--6 hour meetings two times per month. I've also been focusing in on the successful launch of the 2020 PR Campaign, looking for grants to expanding the work of the Technology Resource Center, onboarding a new Director of Marketing and Communications, meeting with legislators and DHS and MDH staff, and now we're gearing up for legislative session.

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

I have a lot of goals for 2020. I want to support and empower the ARRM staff to work at their highest level. I will advance the strategic plan of ARRM and move some of our big ideas forward with the support of the Board. I want to continue to grow the organizational membership of ARRM and surpass our 2019 gain of $100K in dues revenue.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love to downhill ski. I wish ARRM was located in the mountains so I could go whenever I wanted to hit the slopes. My favorite ski resorts you ask? Kitzbühel as my #1 and St. Anton as my #2 (both in the Alps in Austria). Jackson Hole in Wyoming isn't too bad either. For now, I can tolerate Afton Alps.

Contact Sue: sschettle@arrm.org

Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy

Updates: The beginning of legislative session is only two weeks away! I have been working with our legislative team to make sure our bills are ready to go on day one and legislators understand ARRM's 2020 priorities. At this point, all of ARRM's bills have been drafted and we have the actual bills in hand. We are currently in the process of getting legislators to physically sign the bills and will have them ready to be formally introduced on the first day of session.

Additionally, I have been working alongside some ARRM members and DHS to discuss a variety of issues. Through ARRM's Service Innovations Committee, we are working on resolving some policy related issues outside of the legislative process and will have more information out to members soon.

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

Along with our State level advocacy, one of my goals is to expand ARRM's presence on the National level. I was recently elected to ANCOR's Government Relations Advisory Committee and am excited to be able to take what I learn through my involvement with that group and bring it to the ARRM membership.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love fishing with my dad at our lake cabin, pulling weeds in my home garden, and pushing my kids on the swings at the park!

Contact Sara: sgrafstrom@arrm.org

Kevin Zabel, Director of Marketing and Communications

Updates: Well, I am trying to get up-to-speed on all of the great work that has been done with ARRM communications thus far! There is a lot to learn!

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

Goal #1 has to be making the public relations campaign for the Best Life Alliance a success. There is so much that the public doesn't know about DSPs and industry funding. We cannot begin to tackle issues like pay disparity and workforce shortages until we bring these issues to the forefront. Also on the list is kicking off a website refresh and expanding our media presence by developing deeper relationships with journalists.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

My husband and I love hiking state parks during the summer and fall. A close second would be hanging out on an outdoor patio or brewery. Even better when we can do both in the same day.

Contact Kevin: kzabel@arrm.org

Ken Bence, Director of Research, Analysis and Policy

Updates: Data, data, data! I'm working on various projects that will help build a comprehensive picture of our industry. There's the member survey which includes wage and retention data and a data set from DHS that looks at healthcare outcomes for people served on waivers. We also have a technology data set to show trends in the uptake of assistive technology, and I'm working with the Chairs of the Technology Workgroup to sort through anomalies.

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

This is the year for alternative payment models. I look forward to working with our group to dive in to the value and pitfalls of different models and inform the conversations occurring at DHS.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

One of my favorite activities is biking on the many trails in the West Metro, particularly along the Mississippi River. Of course, this is not the season for that. I don't do a lot outdoors in the winter, except shovel snow when needed.

Contact Ken: kbence@arrm.org

Ashley Wear, Director of Events and Promotions

Updates: We've hit the new year running! Myself and the Education Committee have been busy working on Annual Conference scheduling, reviewing session submissions, and confirming speakers. We'll be announcing our conference keynotes soon, yay! Our first ARRM Leadership Institute workshop is coming up and I'm so excited to have Dr. Bob Ireland back for his supervision training. I'm busy pulling everything together for our cohorts who receive a great binder of information and materials to use and reference throughout the year. I've also been engaging our organizational and associate members to increase our educational content streams, add additional event support, and create strong partners for this year and into the future. Everyday is something different and I love that!

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

I love goals; personal, professional, Viking's field-goals, all of them :)

But I'll focus on the work related ones this time! Looking forward this year, I really want to build stronger attendance and feedback at all our offerings. We have great numbers and positive responses, bu there's always room to improve. The Annual Conference and Business and Finance Forum changes this year will also give us an opportunity to increase our exhibition experience and introduce attendees to other events. Ask me again in six months, I bet we'll have even more goals on our list!

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Golf! My husband and I live on a golf course in the South Metro and it's very difficult this time of year to look out at a wide open course we won't be playing on for months. I'm a pretty competitive person, so playing such a difficult game--mostly just against myself--is a great way to practice patience and discipline. I wish I would have learned to play when I was younger, I'm not the best and I'm probably never going to break 80 but I do think I have a shot at a long drive win!

Contact Ashley: awear@arrm.org

Madeleine Lerner, Grassroots Organizer and Manager of Social Media

Updates: Right now I'm eating, breathing and sleeping Disability Services Day. We already have a lot of legislative appointments set up but there are plenty more to go! Remember to register and join the rally! We also want you to share your Day at the Capitol experiences with us. So remember to use #SeeOurDSPs and tag ARRM on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

We're now in 2020, wow! What are your post-New Year goals?

Goal 1 is to have a successful rally day at the Capitol. Last year, roughly 1,200 people attended Disability Services Day. We hope to maintain or increase that number this year. Goal 2 is to grow and support the Grassroots Advocacy Network. Right now, we're focusing on the Census; we're in the process of creating a toolkit that will eventually live on our website!

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I have two: rock climbing and kayaking! I don't go rock climbing as much as I used to but I still like to kayak every summer. Last summer we even went kayaking as a staff!

Contact Madeleine: mlerner@arrm.org