The Role of People First Officers
The members of each People First chapter
vote for their own leaders.
Each chapter decides how they want to hold elections, and how they will
decide on who the candidates are.
In some chapters the advisor helps the current officers discuss possible
candidates who are then nominated to run for office. In other chapters,
all members can nominate themselves to run for office. Most chapters have
the candidates give speeches to tell the other members why they would make
good officers. Then the members make up their minds and vote.
The advisor and the officers usually
meet once between People First meetings to plan the agenda and work on special
topics. Where transportation is a problem, these meetings are often carried
out by using the phone.
The following pages contain a description
of each of the offices that most People First chapters have. There is a
description of what the job entails. This statement is usually read aloud
to the group before the nomination process is started. And many groups also
have the current officer speak about what the role has involved for them,
in the preceding year.
As a People First advisor, you are
not a member of the chapter. Yet you are closely tied to the chapter, and
have the best interests of the chapter and its members at heart.
You may not vote or make decisions,
and yet the goals and activities of the chapter may only be fulfilled through
your efforts.
It is a unique role in an organization.
It calls for a person who is able to suggest and inform, without leading.
An advisor is a person who is able to support other people's goals, and
who works hard for other's success.
Every People First chapter deserves
an advisor who is able to act as a resource person for the People First
members, and who is capable of helping the members settle disputes, plan
activities, and set goals which do not reflect the opinion or goals of the
advisor.
Some helpful reminders are on the
pages following, which will be useful in helping advisors evaluate their
own performance as support people, in their role as a People First advisor.
ADVISORS:
· Give advice when
asked
· Help get training
· Attend every meeting
· Work to change things that stand in the way of meeting goals
Some Thoughts People First Members
Have On Advisors
DO'S:
· Know there will be
disagreements
· Communicate with members
· Be honest and smart
· Follow through
· Come to all the meetings
· Back us up on rules
· Advise us
· Ask us questions
· Listen
· Ask us what we want you to do
· Take advise from us
· Learn what support each person needs
· Be a friend
· Find ways to help everyone get involved
· Make sure everyone knows when and where the meeting is
DON'T'S:
· Take over for the
leader
· Dictate what we should do
· Be afraid to speak
· Make decisions without the members
· Assume that everyone agrees
· Talk too much
· Do too much for us
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