Early in the 1989-1990 school year staff from the Special Education Department of Katy Independent School District (KISD) hosted an informational meeting about the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), today legally called The Arc.  The meeting was held at the KISD Outdoor Learning Center and the attendees decided to form a local ARC Chapter.

The second organizational meeting was held on September 19, 1989 at the Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Katy.  Mrs. Janelle Jordan, the President of the ARC/Texas was at that meeting.

The chapters first set of officers were elected at the September 19, 1989 meeting..   They were:  President Ann Davis, Vice-President William M. House, Secretary Bettye Crites, Treasurer Yolanda Gassert, and Directors Fran Clark-Fielder, Joe Sosa, J. Douglas Trani, and Gordon Fielder.  The initial 38 members approved the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and By-Laws and on August 2, 1990 the Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Texas Secretary of State.

During the first year meeting programs focused on topics such as inclusion, guardianship, estate planning, working with KISD Special Education, etc.  The Arc was able to provide some financial assistance to some special education teachers to attend seminars/workshops on various topics such as Inclusion.

Dances, parties and occasional picnics for families were sponsored by The Arc beginning in 1989.  Many still remember Miss Campbell coming to the Halloween Dance as the “witch.”  Many of the first events were held at the Club House in Williamsburg Settlement with Diane Nicodemus, Peggy Doughtery, and Robert and Barbara Dale chairing the social events.   

During the first couple of years the major fundraiser was a BOWLING event where each
of the bowlers had sponsors who paid them so much for point and/or games won.  Yolanda Gassert, the treasurer at that time, did a great job chairing these successful fundraisers. 

The Arc of Katy has sponsored the dances and bingo parties held during the school year (September – May) for XXXX years----I don’t know all the names.  (Might mention that the National Charity League has helped for the last several years   I am not sure for how long.)

For many years Tim Ford volunteered his time as disc jockey at the dances and the kids loved him.  Debbie, his wife was usually there helping as well.  Tim and Debbie both worked for the school district.  Debbie worked at the original Odessa Kilpatrick where she first fell in love with the students with special needs who participated in the sheltered workshop there.

  
In November of 2004 the following officers were elected:  President Ann Davis, Vice-President Georgia Gates, Recording Secretary Donna Bode, Corresponding Secretary Carol Laufenberg, Treasurer Sandy Michel, and Directors Dr. Joel Alvear, Amy Campbell, and Cheryl Crozier.  The Adult Activity Day Pilot Program was started in February of 2005.  This program is intended for our family members who no longer attend school and do not have meaningful daily activity.  The program is a “Work in Progress.”  The Curriculum and Staff Committee overseeing this Adult Activity Program includes Amy Campbell (Chairman), Cheryl Crozier, Barbara Dale, Sandy Michel, and Rhonda Johnstone.

The following took office in July of 2005:  President Ann Davis, Vice-President Amy Campbell, Secretary JoAnne Dufour, Treasurer Sandy Michel, and Directors Dr. Joel Alvear, Michael Botiato, Cheryl Crozier, and Shane McCarty.  Currently The Arc of Katy Board of Directors, with leadership and facilitation from Eileen and Ray Pavlovich, is preparing a long term business plan which will include the identification of services and programs The Arc of Katy will implement.