DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA (DSPAM) SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA (DSPAM) SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS
The DSPAM is an organization of individuals whose purpose is to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities by strengthening the direct support professional workforce.
DSPAM’s areas of interest include but are not limited to:
 
reducing staff turnover rates,
increasing the social status of Direct Support Professionals,
improving training opportunities and programs,
increasing educational and career opportunities, and
enhancing wages and benefits paid to Direct Support Professionals.
 
DSPAM is a volunteer driven organization. It is affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. The Board of Directors has operating and oversight responsibility of the organization. It meets approximately eight times per year. Board members are expected to join and be active in at least one committee or workgroup. See attached job description for further duties of Board members.
 
The Board is currently seeking applications or nominations to join it. Interested individuals must be or become members of DSPAM. Membership categories are:
Direct Support Professional (including frontline supervisors);
Associate includes self-advocates and family members.
Other Professional includes professionals who work in disability related fields.
 
To apply or nominate someone send a brief biography, along with a statement of interest to Bridget Siljander, bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com .
Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM)
Board Member Job Description
The DSPAM is an organization of individuals whose purpose is to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities by strengthening the direct support professional workforce. DSPAM’s areas of interest include but are not limited to:
· reducing staff turnover rates
· increasing the social status of Direct Support Professionals,
· improving training opportunities and programs,
· increasing educational and career opportunities, and
· enhancing wages and benefits paid to Direct Support Professionals.
Duties of the Board of Directors
The management of the corporation is delegated to the Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the corporation is operating within the legal standards governing nonprofit corporations in the general areas of finance, programming and oversight.
Duties of Individual Board Members
1. Become a member of DSPAM.
2. Attend Board meetings regularly. Review board meeting materials in advance. Become familiar with issues. Ask questions. Request additional information as necessary.
3. Inform the Chair if unable to attend a Board meeting.
4. Actively serve on Board committees, task forces or special projects based on individual strengths and areas of interest.
5. Approve annual budget and work plan, policies and positions of the organization.
6. Participate in DSPAM long range planning activities.
7. Act as resource to the Board chair on individual areas of expertise.
8. When the organization has adopted positions or policies convey these when representing the organization, even when they may differ from individual opinions.
9. Assist in raising awareness of DSPAM by participating in presentations or special events.
10. Assist in raising funds. Financially support the organization based on individual ability.
11. Assist in recruiting Board and Committee members.