September 10-12, 2009
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US

F.E.A.S.T.’s Executive Director, Laura Collins, arrived in Minneapolis on September 8 for a day touring the Emily Program locations and to speak at a Parent’s Night event.

Volunteers for F.E.A.S.T. unpacked and arranged the display table for the exhibitor’s hall during the day on Thursday. F.E.A.S.T. member, Denise C., surprised the organization with the gift of specially designed plates for the display. Advisory Panel member, Dr. Stephanie Milstein, also surprised F.E.A.S.T. with a basket of crocheted foods designed and created by her mother. Other volunteers shopped and offered creative advice. On Thursday evening, F.E.A.S.T. sponsored a dinner for 40 members, advisors, and friends at the hotel.

In addition to our Executive Director, three of our Board of Directors were able to attend the conference: Therese Waterhous, Sarah Krevans, Lydia Spottswood. Six of our Professional Advisory Panel attended and all were speakers: Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD; Walter H. Kaye, M.D.; Stephanie B. Milstein, Ph.D.; Jenni Schaefer; Kitty Westin; and Nancy Zucker, Ph.D.

During the events, over a dozen F.E.A.S.T. volunteers worked at the table handing out literature and introducing people to the organization. We gained a number of new members and new clinics for our online provider list, as well as numerous contacts for future follow-up and alliances.

On Saturday morning, ten F.E.A.S.T. volunteers answered a call for help to and assisted NEDA in preparing for a morning event. Laura Collins spoke on a panel that morning, and gave a live Maudsley coaching session with Dr. Milstein that afternoon.

F.E.A.S.T. congratulates NEDA for an outstanding event, and we look forward to attending the 2010 event in Brooklyn, New York, October 8-10.

Also: our Executive Director's personal journal of the week.