HISTORY OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FEUERSTEIN ALLIANCE (NAFA)

By Monsignor James E. Gilg

The idea of NAFA came to the surface during the week-long training sessions for Standard FIE and LPAD that were sponsored by IRI Skylight in Chicago from July 31-August 4, 2006. Jim and Kate Bellanca were there, as well as Lou and Marilyn Falik, Shannon Almquist, Meir Ben-Hur, Jeanne Zehr, Martha Woods, and others. I attended as an observer. We were discussing how to bring us together in some kind of an official organization that would promote and preserve the Feuerstein programs in the USA. I remember sitting in the back seat of a car on the way to the airport after the training session was over. Meir Ben-Hur was driving and talking to another participant who was in the front passenger seat, talking about how an organization could promote collaboration among the Feuertein trainers and practitioners in the USA.

The first organizational meeting for NAFA took place on January 5, 2008. It was a Strategic Planning and Development meeting for NAFA in Chicago. Rick Younkin and Vivian Cross co-presided at the session. Others in attendance were: James Bellanca, Kate Bellanca, James Kinard, Gwen Kinard, Jeanne Zehr, Meir Ben-Hur, Jan Scott, James Gilg, Joyce Swofford, and Martha Wood.

Some excerpts from the Minutes of that meeting:

“The draft copy of Bylaws, as created by Jim Bellanca, were carefully reviewed by all attendees, and revisions were made. A consensus vote confirmed all changes.

Interim officers were suggested, and consensus was arrived for the following persons to serve until voting members and incorporation are established, for up to one year. Co-directors: Vivian Cross, Rick Younkins; Secretary: Kate Bellanca; Treasurer: Jeanne Zehr.

Application for a Certificate of Incorporation (non-profit) was completed by the group. Vivian Cross will serve as the registered agent in the state of Connecticut (state where incorporation will be filed.)

Proposal by Jim Bellenca: Co-Directors shall appoint chairs and members of the 3 governance committees: Nominating, Executive, and Ethics. Unanimously approved.

Discussion was held concerning website development and public relations.

Our next meeting will be in March in Albany, NY at the NUA Conference.”

At the Albany, NY conference of the NUA, I remember someone coming up to me and telling me that maybe I would be elected as the first President of NAFA because I would be seen as a neutral candidate, not a member of any of the different groups.

The first elected NAFA officers were: President: Msgr. James Gilg; President-elect: Jeanne Zehr; Secretary: Joyce Swofford; Treasurer: Sandra Garr. We four met by teleconference every two weeks, beginning in late summer of 2008.

The minutes of the February 7, 2009, teleconference call listed the following Interim Board members: Kate Bellanca, Jim Bellanca, Vivian Cross, Sandy Garr, James Gilg, Meir Ben-Hur, Gwen Kinard, James Kinard, Jan Scott, Joyce Swofford, Martha Wood, Rick Younkin, and Jeanne Zehr.

The 2010 NAFA officers were elected at a conference call on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Elected were: Jeanne Zehr, President; Dr. David Martin, President-elect; Msgr. James Gilg, Immediate Past President; Sandy Garr, Treasurer; and Dr. Joyce Swofford, Secretary.

An email message from Joyce Swofford on December 20, 2009, lists the following members of NAFA:

• Shannon Almquist
• Jim Bellanca
• Kate Bellanca
• Cynthia Brilliant
• Ruth Burgess
• Eric Cooper
• Vivian Cross
• Andrea Darret
• Sandy Garr
• James Gilg
• Yvette Jackson
• Mary Lunneborg
• David Martin
• Heidi Masunaga
• Claire Merbaum
• Keith Prowell
• Carrie Roberts
• Joyce Rosenau
• Jan Scott
• Irv Schein
• Joyce Swofford
• Elles Taddeo
• David Witkowski
• Martha Wood
• Rick Younkin
• Jeanne Zehr

Since that beginning, NAFA has continued to grow and evolve. As of mid-2022, the organization has 46 active members. The organization has members from the USA, Canada, and Central America, and some webinars have attendees from additional countries. The governance of NAFA consists of two co-chairs and a Standing Committee. NAFA also actively shares information about events and webinars originating with the Feuerstein Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.