History

History

History of IDA North Carolina (Originally the NC Branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society)

Prior to the NC branch, there was a Carolina’s Branch of the ODS which included North and South Carolina.  Following the national ODS conference held in Winston-Salem, NC in November 1984 there was expanded interest and demand for meetings in North Carolina. On November 1, 1986, a steering committee was established to organize a branch. Marjory J. Roth was chosen chair of the Steering Committee and Lucia R. Karnes, vice-chair. Other members were Beth Baldwin, Jane Comfort Brown, Rebecca Clingman, Dianne Mitchell, Mary Frances Peete, Thomas M. Roth, Jr., Margaret Sigmon, Anoinette Skeeters, Edith Spinks, Marilyn Stowers, Sylvia Whisnant and Hoke Whisnant. Of these, nine had trained under June Lyday Orton.

Thomas M. Roth, III drew up the articles of incorporation and other papers necessary to incorporate the branch as a non-profit and the papers were signed on December 23, 1986.

At its February 10, 1987 meeting, the Carolinas Branch board agreed to divide the treasury and decided the official spin off of North Carolina would take place at the annual meeting on April 4, 1987. Meanwhile the new North Carolina Branch board began plans for their own spring conference and organizational meeting in Winston-Salem on March 21, 1987 at Forsyth Technical College. The Steering Committee elected the Officers and Directors, and bylaws for the NC Branch of ODS were adopted.

Board members were: Beth Baldwin, Gloria Blanton, Jane Comfort Brown, JoAnn Crawford, Carolyn Farmer, Susan Harrell, Lucia R. Karnes, Sharon Masketl, Roberta Michal, Carol Miedema, Diane Mitchell, Mary Frances Peete, Thomas Roth, Jr., Marjory Roth, Antoinette Skeeters, Edith Spinks and Marilyn Stowers.

The first officers were:

• President, Marjory J. Roth
• Vice-President, Lucia R. Karnes
• Secretary, Carol C. Miedema
• Treasurer, Diane Mitchell

The goals of the founders of NC branch included board representation across the State, outreach and professional training for teachers and tutors, creation of a parent network of support, and in general dispensing information about dyslexia including research and education.   By 1991, there were 155 members of NCODS.

In 1997 ODS became IDA.  On Sept. 20, 1997 the name of the branch was changed to the North Carolina Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Founded in Memory of Samuel T. Orton.    Currently the goals of NCIDA remain those of our founders.  We strive to honor their work and provide information and support in the state of North Carolina to individuals with dyslexia, their families and professionals.