History
- 1983: Fifteen advocates meet to discuss the development of an advocacy network.
- 1984: The name the Advocacy Network Association (ANA) is adopted.
- By-laws are discussed and monthly workshops begin to be provided.
- Official by-laws are adopted
- 1989: The name of the organization is changed officially to the Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPaN)
- Identification of officers and associated tasks begin to be developed
- Membership fees are determined
- Purpose of the organization is identified
- 1992: Richard Taylor serves as chairperson to reorganize the group
- First mission statement developed
- Ethics and Standards of Practice developed
- 1994: Ethics and Standards of Practice are finalized
- By-laws redrafted
- SPaN brochure developed
- 1995: First annual membership business meeting held
- Marge Pacitti elected as SPaN's first President
- 1999: Noreen Curran elected as SPaN's second President
- First issue of SPaN Newsletter is published
- 2004: Became a non-profit tax exempt organization