BC People First Volunteer Advisor

We are currently seeking volunteers to join our BCPF Advisor team. A People First Volunteer Advisor is someone who helps support the BCPF Board & Members by sharing ideas, giving guidance, and helping with projects — without making decisions.

BC People First Society (BCPF) is a non-profit provincial society that is part of an international movement. We work to make sure that people with developmental and intellectual disabilities are respected and included in our communities as full citizens. We do this by supporting each other to speak up for ourselves and others. 

People First is a self-advocacy movement led by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We speak up for our rights, fight for inclusion, and lead change in our communities.

Our vision is a diverse community where all people are: included and involved; honoured and respected; seen for their abilities, and supported to participate.

Since the 1980's BC People First Society has been the independent voice of people in British Columbia who have been labeled with a developmental or intellectual disability. People First was formed because many people in our communities felt that they were not considered as PEOPLE first. They felt that they were talked about, talked to, thought about, and treated according to the labels others gave them – and not treated as an individual person with hopes and dreams of their own. BCPF continues to advocate for community inclusion, “Nothing about US, Without US” and much more through workshops, presentations, letter-writing campaigns, community engagement, and the empowerment of self-advocates across the province. We are a strong, independent society that is run BY people who have been labeled FOR people who have been labelled. Self-advocates supporting self-advocates!

What is a BCPF Advisor?
•	Advisors are people an individual can trust and feel comfortable with. •	Advisors empower BCPF Members by being supportive and understanding, offering guidance when asked by the Board.
•	Advisors are appointed by the Board of Directors of BC People First.
•	Advisors help support Board Members (who are all self-advocates) to receive information in a form that allows them to understand what is happening at meetings, events, and in the operations of BCPF.
•	Advisors assist work in a specific region of the province and/or support specific BCPF Committees.
•	Advisors help Board Members understand the issues affecting them and help BCPF educate people in the province about these issues (Examples: UNCRPD, Accessible BC Act, Canada Disability Benefit, Housing Rights, Employment Rights).
•	Advisors want to be included and involved in the organization by supporting BCPF Board Members with advice and suggestions when needed but do not take over any lead roles from the Board or Members. 
•	Advisors attend Board or project meetings as needed online or in-person.
•	Advisors attend the BCPF Annual General Meeting.
•	Advisors might help Members organize 2-5 BCPF presentations or workshops per year in their area. (Forums, school presentations, city council meeting presentations, attending community partner events, etc.).
•	Advisors might assist Members with preparing speaking notes for meetings/presentations or reviewing meeting information for reporting purposes.
•	Advisors might help evaluate and coach advocacy skills for Members and should enjoy helping to build others up. 
•	Advisors focus on people’s strengths and our BCPF advocacy goals – and like to help keep things on track. 
•	Advisors encourage Members to have their say and work to ensure no one is left out at meetings or events. 
•	Advisors share their professional knowledge to help with special projects, planning, and problem-solving.
•	Advisors encourage the leadership of self-advocates and people with disabilities. 


Advisor Qualifications:
•	Knowledge of Board process and responsibilities of non-profit/charitable organizations.
•	Sensitive to the issues of people labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability – or wanting to learn more about these issues and how better to support people with lived experience.
•	Understanding of the importance of both “plain language” and “nothing about us without us”.
•	Experience in community development, public education, legal, or advocacy work – or studying one of these topics in college/university.
•	Knowledgeable about using computers, email, and video for communications.

Time Involved: 4-10 hours per month, approximately 2-4 times per month. 

Positions needed:
•	Regional BC People First Volunteer Advisors: Dawson Creek, Kelowna, Burnaby, or Nanaimo 

To apply to be a BCPF Volunteer Advisor please send us your resume and a cover letter. Let us know why you want to be a People First Volunteer Advisor. Let us know if you have any questions, please email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com