How Can I Get Involved in Citizen Advocacy?
Firstly, thank you for taking interest in citizen advocacy. It’s the generous and caring people who are involved with, and supporting citizen advocacy that make it all possible.
Citizen advocacy is a community effort and there are many things you can do to be a part of that. We welcome your support, and so we encourage you to reach out to us and let us know!
Some of the Valuable Roles
Within Citizen Advocacy
The Role of
Member
For many, this may be the first step into supporting our program.
Those who are received as members, will be granted voting rights at our annual general meeting, and may help with program activities, such as events and fund raisers.
Members will also be considered for possible candidacy as citizen advocates.
The Role of
Citizen Advocate
Citizen advocates come from all walks of life, are of all ages, and each brings with them a very individual range of life experiences and expertise.
The role of citizen advocate is to support and advocate for, and on behalf of a person within the community who is vulnerable, or at risk of being so; the protégé.
Based on an advocates skills, life experience and networks and such, we will endeavour to match them with a suitable protégé to achieve a good fit between the needs of the protégé and the skills and time available of the advocate.
The Role of
Protégé
We all need justice, acceptance, love, security, and control over the course of our lives and from time to time we may even need practical support and representation.
Unfortunately, for many people with an intellectual disability these basic human needs are just not met. People with an intellectual disability are often rejected and isolated from society and have few opportunities to experience the good things of life, like you do. They may receive unsuitable or poorer quality services or may be denied services entirely. Many people with intellectual disability are particularly vulnerable to unfair treatment and exploitation.
A protégé however, has someone in their corner.
They have a powerful, and independent relationship with a citizen advocate, and this is a person who is ready, willing and able to stand up for them.
The Role of
Advocate Associate
Advocate associates are volunteers to the advocacy office who possess skills and knowledge useful to advocates and protégés.
From time to time, an advocate associate can offer advice and perspective on such matters as the technical dimensions of the services which a protégé receives or seeks to receive, strategy development for management of a demanding situation, or advise on technical matters that have relevant to the relationship.
e.g., advise on managing an issue related to guardianship of property.
A sufficient number of active advocate associates provide a safeguard against staff being drawn into individual advocacy activities, and provides a major support to advocates and their protégés.
Have a Question?
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