Board members are all volunteers and are chosen either because of their skills or because of their link to the objectives of the Association. The Board, through its committees, provides policy direction to the staff of the Association. The National office develops the program content, administers the research program, raises funds and provides administrative support to the staff. The country is divided into regions, each with a regional office where the work of the Association is done. Clients and their families are invited to join either chapters or support groups, depending on their needs and wishes.
Chapters are generally a more structured group with an executive, a budget and specific goals.
Support groups are as their name implies, and meet for the purpose of interacting with others facing a situation similar to their own. These groups, located in communities across Canada, meet for the purpose of education, support, social events and fundraising. The backbone of the Association is the volunteer network that exists at all levels of the organization. The largest single group of volunteers is the fire fighter community across Canada. They have been associated with MDAC since its inception in 1954.