SABE Regional Representative
Qualifications
A regional representative is elected as a member of the Self Advocates Becoming Empowered Board of Directors.
If you think you or someone in your region want to run for a SABE position, you must bring a letter of reference to the regional meeting when the election is held. This letter may be typed, written by hand and just include only one sentence saying you have been an active member of a local or statewide self-advocacy organization for at least two (2) years and you will continue that participation. The letter must be signed by an officer or advisor of your local or state self-advocacy group.
This is a very important and responsible position. A lot is expected of each representative. Some of the duties are:
• Promote and follow the SABE “Just Do It” statement
• Develop contacts within your region
• Take information back and share it within your region
• Communicate with the other representatives and alternates within your region
• Contact other states within your region to find out what they are doing. This information will be used for SABE Regional Reports.
• Work cooperatively with the regional alternates to inform them of SABE activities and include them in SABE committee activities as appropriate
• Regional representatives and alternates should share information with appropriate agencies in their region for utilizing different funding and other resources supporting SABE.
• Cooperatively host Regional meetings
• Actively and appropriately participate at SABE meetings, SABE committee meetings, and SABE activities.
• Travel to SABE meetings four times a year. Work to find funding to support your travel and the support person's travel, if the representative brings one.
Therefore, if you or anyone you know is thinking about running for the office of regional representative, he or she should know what the SABE by-laws require. The bylaws say:
Article 3.2 Board of director members should have the following qualifications:
• MUST be an active member of a local/statewide self-advocacy organization for at least two (2) years and continue that participation.
• Ability and availability to communicate (e-mail, mail, telephone, personal contact) and network with other members in their own region and wherever else necessary or requested. Experience on other boards and committees
• Ability to get support to do the things they have difficulty with (reading, writing, traveling, etc.)
• Ability to work with others cooperatively
• Ability to get along with people
• Have the support of people in their region
• Good character...honest, truthful
• Ability to travel (with or without assistance) and follow through on commitments
• Ability to get time off to come to meetings
• Ability to express (communicate) yourself in one way or another
• Ability to get things done
• Ability and willingness to follow the bylaws
• U.S. Citizen
• Willingness to work to get funding for individual travel expenses and board expenses
• Willingness to participate in long meetings
• Ability to have fun
