Are you Leveraging the Power of The Arc’s Network?
As you probably know, The Arc of the United States (The Arc) has been around for more than 65 years, and it started – and still is – a grassroots organization led by people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, and professionals. Our mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with I/DD and to actively support their full inclusion and participation in their communities
and while you work, volunteer or receive supports and services from your local chapter in Alabama, did you know there are tens of thousands of others doing the same thing in 626 local and state chapters in 48 states and Washington, DC?
Every chapter is autonomous, with their own board of directors, policies, procedures, services and supports. Each chapter makes their own decisions about how they carry out their mission. Local and state chapters typically focus their efforts on local and state issues.
The Arc’s role is to engage in federal public policy advocacy, nationwide public education, promoting best practices in program and services, and building and sustaining a vibrant chapter network. We do this by providing benefits, services and benefits to chapters
What connects our very broad network is our shared mission and dedication to people with I/DD and their families.
So how might the 32 chapters of The Arc in Alabama leverage the power of The Arc’s Network? Here are a few examples.
Chapter Self-Advocates and others can:
- Join The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, a group that gives The Arc advice on how we can better support people with disabilities and issues important to people with disabilities.
- Build your advocacy skills by using Self-Advocacy Online
Chapter Family members and others can:
- Be inspired by other families and/or share your own stories about issues important to them
- Stayed informed about the issues by reading our user-friendly analyses
Chapter Leadership staff and others can:
- Ask and obtain advice from colleagues through in The Arc’s Google Group for local and state chapter executive directors and State Board President’s Google Groups
- Provide feedback on The Arc’s Position Statements
Chapter Direct Support Professionals and others can:
- Look at the numerous training opportunities and resources available to assist them in their jobs
- Become involved in our diversity initiatives
Board of Director members and others can use:
- The Standards for Excellence has educational resources, including sample policies and forms on issues such as Mission, Governing Body, Conflict of Interest, Human Resources, Financial and Legal, Fundraising, Public Affairs and Public Policy
- Do your best to attend one of The Arc’s major educational and networking events; The Disability policy Seminar, The Summer Leadership Institute and The Arc’s Annual Convention
Everyone connected with your chapter can
Learn about our national programs that often have competitive grants and always produce extraordinary resources for chapters
- Become inspired and share The Arc’s videos to tell our story to the world
- Search and create job posting on The Arc’s Job Board
- Keep up to date on public policy and other issues by reading The Arc Blog
These are just a few of the benefits to which your chapter is entitled. What else might we do together? Please connect with me so we can explore the possibilities.
Let’s strengthen the partnerships between our chapters so we can break through barriers faster and raise our voices even higher.
We look forward to working with you. We Achieve with us.
For additional information about how you can connect with other chapters or how The Arc can support your chapter contact Karen Wolf-Branigin, Senior Executive Officer, Chapter Growth and Affiliate Relations at 202-534-3711 or wolf-branigin@thearc.org