1. How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees
By Steven Powe
Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

2. Definitions
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

3. What is a Board or Committee?
Group of people that talk about issues they all care about.
Some of those issues may be disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, housing, abuse and neglect, healthcare, human rights and many more.
The Board or Committee has a purpose that interests its members.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

4. What are the Meeting Minutes?
What is an Agenda?
A listing of what will be discussed in a meeting
What are the Meeting Minutes?
Notes from the meeting
Someone will be taking minutes or notes at the meeting. That person is sometimes staff or the secretary for the group
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

5. What is an officer position?
What are dues or fees?
Some boards or committee have dues or fees, which is money that helps the board or committee pay for certain things, like printing, travel or snacks
What is an officer position?
Different leadership positions on the board or committee are officers
For example, President, Vice-President, Chair, Co-Chair, Sargent-at-Arms, Treasurer, Secretary
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

6. What is confidentiality?
You cannot tell anyone what is talked about in the board or committee
This is especially important when serving on a Human Rights Committee (HRC)
HRCs deal with private information about other people’s lives and you need to keep that information private
HRC members must respect people’s information and privacy
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

7. What logistics do you need to know about a board or committee?
What are logistics?
Date, time, and place of the meeting
What logistics do you need to know about a board or committee?
When is the meeting being held? date and time
Where is the meeting being held? place
What do I need to bring to the meeting?
Is there information I need to review before the meeting?
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

8. Important Questions to Think About
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

9. Why is it Important to Join Boards and Committees?
It is important to be at the table when decisions are being made.
You can speak up for yourself and others; you’re the expert.
No one can tell your story like YOU can!
People want to hear from you to make your communities inclusive.
You can help change policies, practices and laws.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

10. How to Choose Boards and Committees to Serve on
Think about what you care a lot about.
Ask a friend or co-worker if they serve on any Boards or Committees.
Talk with other people who care about the same issues.
Finds groups that care about and work on those issue(s) and visit their meetings.
Contact your local government and learn what office handles local and state boards and commissions.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

11. How Do I Get to Serve on a Board or Committee?
Find a board or committee and ask to join.
Find a friend that can help you get on a board or committee.
Someone may ask you to be on a board or committee because they know you and know what you care about.
Sometimes, Board members or others will have to vote you onto the board or committee; sometimes you are appointed.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

12. Who Can I Ask to Help Me Get on a Board or Committee?
The Leader on a board or committee
A Member of a board or committee
People in your advocacy group
A friend
A Family member
A Co-worker
My Boss at work
Someone who knows a member of a board or committee
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

13. What Traits do People Need to Have to Serve on a Board or Committee?
Compassionate – you need to care about the issues and other people
Smart and a good problem-solver
Helpful
Respectful of others
Timely (Always be on time)
Dress appropriately
Be able to ask for help if you need it
Keep confidentiality (Be trustworthy)
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

14. What do I need to know when serving on a Board or Committee?
Turn Off Cellphones during meetings
Be on Time
Review the Agenda and previous Minutes
Discuss potential dues or contributions associated with the board or committee
Request any accommodations you may need
Ask about trainings for new members
Talk to someone who is on the board or committee
Decide if you want to run for an officer position
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

15. What materials should I bring to a board or committee meeting?
Pen, pencil or computer
Paper, notepad or computer to take notes
Watch or phone to be on time and to keep time
Snack or beverages if they are not provided
For some boards, money for dues or contributions, if requested or required
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

16. What can you do if you did not understand something that happened or that was said in a meeting?
You can ask someone to repeat it
You can ask someone to write it down
You can ask someone to explain it to you
You can ask someone to stay after the meeting and help you better understand
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

17. Human Rights Committee
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

18. What is a Human Rights Committee (HRC)?
Committee were you go to talk about other people’s rights, an if their rights were violated
You go to talk about possible solutions
You can restore someone’s rights to give them more freedom
Help people set goals
Discuss people’s Behavior Support Plans (BSP), Individualized Support Plans (ISP), or other plans in people’s lives
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

19. What is an ISP meeting? An ISP is an Individualized Support Plan
ISP meetings are meetings that discuss a person’s goals, services, housing, future, support network and future plans
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

20. What is an BSP? A BSP is Behavior Support Plan
It includes a description of behaviors that people agree need to be changed
It may include restrictions for the person
It also may include how much supervision a person may need
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

21. What cannot you do on HRC?
You cannot
Speak about people’s ISP or BSP outside of the meeting
Speak out of turn – Give everyone a chance to speak
Use your cellphone
Dress inappropriately
Speak for someone else
Treat anyone disrespectfully
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

22. What do Human Rights Committee Members need to know?
Give everyone a chance to speak, but speak up when it is your turn
Be sure you speak for yourself and on behalf of others; speak up loud and clear so everyone can hear you
Review materials – ask for help if you need it
Be on Time
Turn off your cellphone
Don’t let anyone take away your voice or anyone else’s voice
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

23. More things Human Rights Committee Members should know:
Ensure that the person you are discussing has a chance to speak up.
Be respectful of the person being discussed.
Be respectful of people with other opinions.
Ask about ground rules.
Talk about and ask for any supports you may need to serve on a Human Rights Committee.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

24. What questions can you ask the person who is the subject of a Human Rights Committee?
Do you understand why you are here?
Can you tell us what happened? What is your side of the story?
What do you think about your Behavioral Support Plan? Do you think it is fair?
Do you understand the plan?
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

25. More questions you can ask the person who is the subject of a HRC
Do you agree with the plan? Did you consent to the plan?
Will you follow the plan?
What will you do to get your rights restored (if rights are restricted)?
Do you understand your rights?
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

26. Examples of Supports Someone Serving on a HRC May Need
Large Print
Transportation to and from the meetings
An Interpreter
Help reading and writing – taking notes
Assistance with scheduling -- may need someone to call to remind them if they don’t use
Accessible space and materials
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

27. Case Studies
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

28. Case Study # 1
Sally wants to be a Human Rights Committee member, but her staff says, “No, you can’t be on a committee because you cannot read.”
Is this a human rights violation? Why or why not?
What advice would you give Sally?
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

29. Case Study #2
Bob likes to stand up for other people’s rights and his human rights. A local Human Rights Committee asks Bob to join. Bob joins and gets a big stack of Behavior Support Plans to read before his first meeting. They have lots of names of medications and reports from psychologists that are hard to understand.
What should Bob do?
What should the chair of the Human Rights Committee do to support Bob?
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

30. With Gratitude to SARTAC & AIDD
“This publication is supported in part by a cooperative agreement from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities policy.”
This toolkit was created with the help of the DC Department on Disability Services and Project ACTION!.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

31. About SARTAC
“The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) seeks to strengthen the self-advocacy movement by supporting self advocacy organizations to grow in diversity and leadership. The resource center is a project of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), the oldest national self-advocacy organization in the country. SARTAC is a Developmental Disabilities Project of National Significance, funded by the Administration For Community Living  – Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). The information in this manual was written to provide guidance for self Advocates and their allies to assist in understanding policy issues affecting their lives. It is not to be used to determine a person's legal rights or an organization's legal responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended or any other federal, state or local laws written to protect the rights of people with disabilities.”
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)

32. For more information: Steven Powe at stevenpowe985@yahoo
For more information: Steven Powe at or Rebecca Salon
Thank you all so much for coming. If you have any ideas on making this training better take some time to write them down or talk to me before you leave. You can also Rebecca and I at a later date if you can think of anything.
How to Serve on Boards, Committees, and Human Rights Committees A Resource from the Toolkit for Serving on a Human Rights Committee by Steven Powe (May 2018)