We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Lori Brock, who was the project coordinator for the Leadership Project while we had funding from the Division of Services for People with Disabilities. We wish Lori well in all of her future endeavors. The Arc is also participating with DSPD, the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, the Disability Law Center, the Consumer Advisory Councils and other partners to develop a Self Advocacy Network that will utilize Vista Volunteers to take over and greatly expand the work of our Project. We are in great need of volunteer advisors or mentors who can work closely with our self advocacy groups. Mentors work with the group leadership in helping them learn how to run meetings, organize the group efforts, write agendas, etc.
Mentors also help group members learn how to better support their leaders and each other.
From time to time Mentors may need to help arbitrate disputes that arise between group members. Mentors or advisors need to have the knack of knowing just when to step forward and offer the minimal assistance needed, then to step back quickly into the shadows so the group leaders can grow, learn and do their jobs.