FREEDOM CHOICE RESPECT DIGNITY INCLUSION

Volunteer Advisors Needed for People First of British Columbia (BCPF)

We are currently seeking BCPF Volunteer Advisors to support the work of our volunteer Board of Directors, all Self-Advocates. The BC People First Society (BCPF) is a non-profit provincial society that is part of a national movement. We work to make sure that people with a developmental or intellectual disability are respected and included in communities as full citizens. We do this by supporting each other to speak up for ourselves and others. Our vision is a diverse community where all people are: included and involved; honoured and respected; seen for their abilities, and supported to participate. Since 1981 BC People First has been the provincial voice of those who have been labelled with a developmental or intellectual disability. People First was formed because many people in our communities felt that they were not considered as people first. They felt that they were talked about, talked to, thought about, and treated according to the disabilities that others labelled them with and not as an individual person with hopes and dreams of their own. BC People First continues to advocate “Nothing about US, Without US” through workshops, presentations, letter-writing campaigns, public speaking, community engagement, and the empowerment of Self-Advocates across the province. We are a strong, independent society that is run BY people who have been labelled FOR people who have been labelled. What is an Advisor?

•   Advisors are people an individual can trust and feel comfortable with •   Advisors are appointed by the volunteer Board of Directors of BC People First •   Advisors assist a Board Member in a specific region of the province •   Advisors assist the Board Members to receive information in a form that allows

them to understand what is happening at meetings, events, and in the business of BCPF

•   Advisors help Board Members understand the issues affecting them and help us educate people in the province about these issues

•   Advisors want to be included and involved in the organization by supporting BCPF Board Members with advice and suggestions when needed

•   Advisors attend monthly Board Meetings (conference calls on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6pm-7:30pm)

•   Advisors attend the BCPF AGM/Conference at the end of March if possible •   Advisors assist Board Members with preparing for meetings or reviewing meeting information

•   Advisors attend BCPF presentations and workshops in their area. Government forums, schools, city council meetings, or community partner events and conferences

FREEDOM CHOICE RESPECT DIGNITY INCLUSION

•   Advisors join Board Members at these events and help them make their report to the Board for the event if needed

The goal is for Board Members to be able to make decisions by themselves - the Advisor is encouraged to share their opinions and knowledge for the purpose of enabling Board Members to understand the consequences of decisions. Advisors lend an ear for Board Members to discuss and clarify their assigned tasks after meetings and events throughout their two-year term. Qualifications:

•   Knowledge and experience with Board process and responsibilities of non-profit/charitable organizations.

•   Knowledgeable and sensitive to the issues of people labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability

•   Understanding of the importance of plain language •   Experience in community development and public education or advocacy work

Time Involved: 5-10 hours per month Location: Anywhere in BC. We are currently looking for Advisors in Richmond, Merritt, Nanaimo, Dawson Creek, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby/New Westminster, and Kelowna. To apply or ask any questions please email Roxci Bevis at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com or call 604-245-1012.