Leadership Opportunities with San Diego People First
Leadership is an important expression of self-advocacy. Leaders have the opportunity and duty of bringing the wants and dreams of San Diego People First into reality. Leaders grow personally as they help and empower others in San Diego People First achieve meaningful goals for themselves. San Diego People First is a democratic organization and officers are sellected by vote of its members.
Requirements to be an Officer of San Diego People First
- Cannot hold the same office for two terms.
- Must attend at least four chapter meetings per year.
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All officers must attend the monthly Officers Meeting to plan the agenda for the next meeting and to discurss how the chapter is doing. Officers must have their own transportation to the meetings.
- All officers must attend the chapter meetings in Balboa Park. If an officer is not able to attend the meeting, he or she should let the president know before the meeting so that someone else can take their place. If an officer has two unexcused absences, the chapter should elect another person to hold the office.
- A good officer is a leader that helps the members become leaders and self-advocates.
- A good officer is interested in being a part of the People First movement and is willing to represent the chapter at conferences in other areas.
- All officers must follow through on responsibilities such as calling guest speakers, writing thank-you notes, calling members to remind them of meetings and so forth.
Chapter Requirements
People First of California is the state wide organization of self-advocates with developmental disabilities. Within California their are regional People First chapters, like San Diego People First, and local People First Chapters.
A self-advocacy group may become a People first chapter by meeting the following criteria:
Be started and run by self-advocates with developmental disabilities
Believe in and teach the four People First Principals:
Speak up for ourselves
Solve our own problems and make our own decisions
Know our rights and responsibilities
Contribute back to our communities
Have five members
Have four officers
Register with People First of California
Role of Helper / Advisor / Facilitator
A helper / advisor /does the following:
Guides members in accomplishing chapter goals
Encourages team work to get things done
Is not a member
Does not vote
Does not make decisions for the group
COSTS
Presently, there no fees to become a People First Chapter. Local chapters may have dues and fund raisers.
Chapter Names
To benefit as a chapter of People First, self-advocacy groups that
already have a name may:
Add People First to their name
Add a reference that they are an affiliate with People FirstŪ
Change their name while including the name People FirstŪ
People First of California Mission Statement
People First's mission is to help start, inform, and support local chapters so that all people with developmental disabilities are able to speak for themselves, know their rights and responsibilities, and are respected, valued members of their communities.
People First of California's Value Statements
All people are equal.
All people have the same legal and human rights as anyone else and are treated with respect and dignity.
All people have the right to make choices in all areas of their lives.
All people have a right to free speech and are given the opportunity to communicate in whatever forms they choose.
All people are entitled to the support they need to assure their full participation in a decision-making group.
For more information on becoming a People FirstŪ chapter call Debbie Marshall at (619) 688-4236.
Click here to learn about the responsibilities for each office.
Click here for information on the skills self-advocates need for leading.
