Jennifer Cronenberg, Interim CEO

I grew up in the United Methodist Church (stay with me, I promise this isn’t going to a religious place), and when you joined the church, the preacher asked if you would support the church with “your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service.” (For any of you non-Methodists, the “correct” answer was “I will”). While prayers aren’t really relevant here at NOSSCR (see! I told you it wouldn’t be religious…though, if you are religious, we’re definitely not opposed to whatever positive energy you may wish to send our way), I think the message of supporting a nonprofit organization to which you are a member with “your presence, your gifts, and your service” is incredibly prudent, and I want to spend a few moments drilling down on what that means for us here at NOSSCR.

Your Presence

If you’ve been around NOSSCR for a while, you’ve likely heard us say countless times that “NOSSCR is a membership organization.” We say this because it’s true. We are, quite literally, nothing without our members. We are here to serve you and to provide the resources, advocacy, community, and education that you need to successfully support your practice so that you can zealously represent your clients.

But, as is often said, “community” doesn’t build itself. It’s created by people who show up, day after day, year after year, even when it’s hard. Your presence matters. Our community here at NOSSCR is varied—we have members from legal services corporations and large nationwide firms, solo practitioners and nonprofits, small and mid-sized firms and members who specialize in other fields, non-attorney representatives and former agency employees, paralegals and office staff and federal court practitioners, gurus with decades of experience and new practitioners hoping to win their first case. Whatever your background or practice type, if you are involved in the representation of Social Security claimants, there is a place for you here at NOSSCR.

We invite you to join us in Baltimore this spring and Salt Lake City in the fall. You are a vital part of this great community, and we can’t wait to see you!

Your Gifts

NOSSCR is a nonprofit organization. We keep the lights on with your membership renewals, conference registrations, and referral service participation. But like any nonprofit organization, we can do more with more. So how can you help?

To help keep NOSSCR operations running smoothly, consider sponsoring or exhibiting one of our events. Contributions of all sizes are always accepted – and we’re always open to new ideas! Consider a banner add in this Forum or in our NEW membership portal, or sponsor something like a coffee break or the headshot booth at one of our conferences. Esterien is excited to discuss any ideas you may have, so reach out to her at esterien.keet@nosscr.org.

To help move the needle on our important advocacy initiatives, consider a donation to the NOSSCR PAC.* Contributions to the NOSSCR PAC will be used to support federal and state candidates, political parties, and other political committees in our ongoing efforts to advance improvements and protections for the Social Security disability program.

To help directly support your fellow NOSSCR members, consider a donation to the NOSSCR Foundation. Money donated to the NOSSCR Foundation supports the Randolph Patterson Scholarship fund, providing financial support for legal services practitioners who may otherwise be unable to join NOSSCR and attend our events.

We are grateful for your investment in this organization and for your generosity.

Your Service

Did you know that NOSSCR is run by a Board of volunteer members? Did you know that you elect these members during our annual and special elections, and that the number of members from your circuit determines the number of representatives your circuit has on our Board? We also have Committees that help inform the Board of membership goals. What that means is you are crucial to the operation and direction of this organization. Your voice matters here. If you want to be more involved, reach out – we will happily find a place where your unique talents can be put to good use. If you want to run for the Board, be on the lookout for our next Board vacancy announcements and toss your hat in the ring. If you want our current Board to consider your suggestions, reach out to your Circuit Representative to share your thoughts (but please be mindful that they are volunteers with their own busy practices).

Beyond Board service, we also rely heavily on our members to create the content for our conferences. Have a topic you want to see covered? Consider submitting a proposal to speak at our upcoming fall conference in Salt Lake City. Don’t feel comfortable on the big stage but have a topic you’d like to see covered? My inbox is always open to your ideas (jennifer.cronenberg@nosscr.org).

NOSSCR is a reliable and respected organization because we are a community who shows up, gives generously, and serves willingly. We thank you for your membership and your participation and we promise to do our best to continue providing advocacy that improves your practices, education that strengthens your skills, and opportunities for connection that provides a sense of community.

*Contributions to the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives PAC (NOSSCR PAC) are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to NOSSCR PAC will be used to support federal and state candidates, political parties, and other political committees. Contributions are strictly voluntary. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Any proposed contribution level is merely a suggestion, and you are free to contribute more or less than suggested. You will not benefit or be disadvantaged by reason of the amount of your contribution or a decision not to contribute. Federal law requires NOSSCR PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of persons whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. to contribute.

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