BOARD POLICIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction...... 1
A. Philosophy and History of Independent Living . . . . .2
B. History of the CIL...... 3
C. Mission and Philosophy of the CIL...... 4
1. Philosophical Tenets ...... 4
2. Principles for Operation...... 4
II. Board of Directors...... 6
A. Functions and Responsibilities ...... 6
1. Board Responsibilities...... 6
B. Expectations of Board Members...... 7
C. Meetings ...... 7
D. Officer Responsibilities ...... 8
E. Committee Structure...... 10
a. Purposes ...... 11
b. Functions...... 11
c. Membership ...... 12
d. Appointments ...... 12
F. Committee Duties ...... 13
G. Ethics ...... 15
a. Board Member Code of Ethics...... 15
b. Conflict of Interest ...... 16
H. Professional Services from Board Members ...... 16
I. Relationship of Board and Management ...... 17
1. Board - Executive Director...... 17
2. Executive Director...... 17
J. Orientation...... 17
K. Nondiscrimination...... 18
L. Cross Disability ...... 18
M. Board of Director's Work Plan...... 19
N. Organization Chart ...... 20
and Roster...... 21
O. Policies and Procedures Advisory Councils...... 22
P. Advisory Council List...... 24
Q. BOARD POLICY MANUAL
I. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this manual is to establish and outline theframework within which the organization and administration of the CIL functions. With the continued growth of the CIL, it has become necessary to develop more formal guidelines for the administration of the organization. The policies and procedures established in this manual are to be utilized as a guide and reference for both the Board of Directors and staff to alleviate confusion, increase effectiveness and efficiency, to orient new board and staff and guide the CIL into the future.
The establishment of policies is one of the most important functions of the Board of
Directors. With such policies in written form, the employees of the CIL may proceed
with the assurance they are carrying out the CIL’s basic philosophical principles in
accordance with the wishes of the board. Through clearly defined policies, the CIL
board members gain a knowledge of the organization and administrative functions of
the organization, a clear understanding of the conditions of their appointment and
services provided by the CIL.
Policies should be considered carefully before they are adopted. An organization can
be impaired by frequent changes in policy. However, no policy is perfect and must
sometimes be altered. Rules and regulations applying to all situations that can and will
occur in operating a center like the CIL cannot be written perfectly. Policies need to
be general in nature and recognized as the guiding principles laid down by the
governing body. They should be examined annually. When the board discovers reason
for change, then policy should be modified as best judgment may require.
This manual will provide a ready aid to knowledge of the purpose and working
principles of the CIL, and to a more complete understanding of the CIL’s mission,
goals and objectives. A companion manual, "Board Working Manual," gives more detail
on Board procedures.
A. PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF INDEPENDENT LIVING
Centers for independent living (CILs) are unique, consumer controlled, cross-disability,
non-residential, community-based, systems advocacy oriented, private, non-profit
corporations which are governed and managed by people with various disabilities.
Federal guidelines require that 51% of the board of directors and staff of a CIL be
individuals with disabilities.
Centers provide directly or coordinate indirectly, through information and referral and
advocacy, opportunities to enable people with disabilities to maximize their independence to achieve independent living (IL). Core opportunities offered at CILs
include, but are not limited to, peer counseling (a peer is a role model who shares
experiences, and provides support and education), individual and systems advocacy,
independent living skills training and information and referral.
The purpose of these opportunities is to enable people with severe disabilities to
increase their independence in everyday activities, develop self-determination,
participate in community life and fulfill a variety of social roles. Control is a key word in
the independent living movement The independent living movement itself is a relatively
new and bright star on the horizon for those people with disabilities who want the same
opportunities as the rest of society. It is an outgrowth of the civil rights activities of the
l950s and 6Os, the increase of self-help groups, increased attention to educated
consumerism, and demedicalization and deinstitutionalization of the 1970s and 80s.
In 1972, the concept of independent living was developed by a few individuals with
severe disabilities at the University of California at Berkeley. When hard won support
services were about to be terminated due to graduation, the Center for Independent
Living in Berkeley was developed.
With the passage of the 1978 amendments of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Congress
recognized the value of independent living by allocating money to fund Centers for
Independent Living to provide opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Specifically,
Congress authorized grants to establish and operate CILs, establish statewide
independent living services, and programs for people who are older and blind.
Independent living has been called a social movement, a service paradigm, a research
model, a new discipline, a new source of hope, an idea whose time has come.
Whatever the description, independent living is a focus of major interest to individuals
with disabilities, family members and disability-related professionals across the country.
The term independent living encompasses several concepts:
FIRST, control and decision-making must be in the hands of people with disabilities.
This is true for individuals offered opportunities and for organizations like Centers for
Independent Living.
SECOND, independent living requires that persons with disabilities have the same
range of options as the general population. Opportunities are offered based on the
individual's needs and desired.
THIRD, independent living is many things to many people. Some people are capable
of self-direction and are able to express their desires clearly, while others need
assistance in daily living to be independent. Some may never live alone without some
aid to function in the community. The important factor is that regardless of assistance
needed, people with disabilities take control over their own lives.
To put it simply, independent living means that people with disabilities are free to live
as they choose in their communities rather than being confined in institutions. Gerben
DeJong summarized it best: "The dignity of risk is the heart of the IL movement.
Without the possibility of failure, the disabled person lacks true independence and the
ultimate mark of humanity, the right to choose for good or evil".
B. HISTORY OF THE CIL
The CIL was founded in __ as a totally volunteer organization. It consisted of people with disabilities and their friends who carried out activities to enlighten the community concerning disability, to encourage communities to become more accessible, and to raise money for accessibility projects in the communities.
With its first small contract in _____, the CIL became a bona fide Center for
Independent Living and began to engage in offering the basic independent living
opportunities of information and referral, individual and systems advocacy, independent
living skills training, peer counseling, public education, technical assistance, and
community options development. In addition, the CIL has an assistive technology
program with assessment and purchase of assistive devices needed for increasing/maintaining independence, a recreation program to increase the accessibility
of community recreation outlets and teach consumers how to use existing recreational
opportunities, independent living assistance and equipment to enable older people with
visual disabilities to maintain their independence, and a technical assistance program
to help communities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
C. MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE CIL
The mission of the CIL is to raise the vision and capability of the community at large to the point where people of all abilities will have equal access.
1. Philosophical Tenets
a. Equal Rights: Persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as all other citizens. This is the basic philosophy of independent living programs.
b. Integration: Integrated community programs, services and facilities are essential for persons with disabilities to enjoy equal access to the cultural, vocational, residential and leisure opportunities open to other people. The CIL believes all persons have a right to such integrated experiences.
c. Self-Determination: Persons with disabilities are entitled to choose the patterns of life and conditions of everyday living like everyone else. They have the right to privacy, a home, work, going to school, leisure activities, social interaction, sexual relationships and life in a self-determined setting in a community neighborhood where people with disabilities are integrated with non-disabled people. They are entitled to make decisions, which involve risk in their lives.
d. Equal Responsibility: Just as people with disabilities have the right to self-determination, they have the responsibility to follow through with their commitments in good faith and with due consideration of the rights of others. They are accountable for their own actions.
2. Principles for Operation
a. "Consumer Control": The CIL is guided and controlled by "consumer control' at all levels of responsibility in the organization. This assures that the interests of people with disabilities will be followed in achieving community integration, self-determination, equal rights and dignity for people with disabilities.
b. Consumer Based Needs: The CIL periodically assesses consumer needs and service resources within its service area to assure its plans, priorities and programs are responsive to and reflective of what people with disabilities need and want.
c. Individualized Plans/Opportunities: An independent living plan and/or opportunities are designed and carried out by the individual with a disability in conjunction with the CIL staff.
d.Community Based Activities: Persons with disabilities have the best opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes with which to participate and thrive in the community in an integrated community setting. The CIL encourages the use of existing community services by persons with disabilities, including those not specifically addressing the needs of persons with disabilities including residential, vocational, social, recreational and personal services. Activities sponsored by the CIL are located in environments accessible to all citizens.
e. Equal Opportunity: As a Center for Independent Living for persons with disabilities, the CIL provides the information, support and resources needed by people with disabilities to live, work and recreate alongside their fellow citizens.
f. Nondiscrimination: The CIL will not discriminate in any of its activities against any individual based on disability, type of disability, race, ethnicity, gender, age or religion.
g. Cross Disability: The CIL will provide opportunities to people without regard to type of disability. The CIL believes that people with various disabilities have more in common to bind them together than differences to divide them.
h. Unincluded and Underincluded: The CIL will constantly strive to identify and reach out to those populations of people with disabilities who have historically not been included to an equitable extent in its activities.
II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
At Least 5l% of the members of the CIL’s Board of Directors must be persons with
various types of disabilities. Members must be individuals with varying experience,
abilities and community leadership capabilities. The Board of Directors is expected to
contribute to the continuity of programs, community support and quality of activities.
From the time new members are elected to the board, they are expected to undergo
a continuing education on matters affecting their roles in the CIL. Board members
are expected to keep abreast of developments in the disability and social service fields
as well as in the business and industrial community and the community at large.
One important function of board members is to interpret independent living philosophy
and the CIL’s policies and programs to the public. This should be done positively
while being aware of any complaints or problems developing within the community.
1. Board Responsibilities
a. Controls and directs the organization.
b. Maintains ethical standards of conduct in the exercise of these functions.
c. Acts responsibly and in good faith with the best interest of the organization as a foremost objective.
d. Employs a competent Executive Director.
e. Provides the framework within which the Executive Director can operate.
f. Delegates the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organization to the Executive Director. The board, however, retains certain responsibilities, which include:
1)Ensuring that the CIL’s mission, direction, goals and policies are clearly and appropriately defined;
2)Developing and reviewing program plans and budgets;
3)Evaluating overall organizational effectiveness;
4)Evaluating the Executive Director and selecting a new Executive Director when necessary;
5)Representing consumer and public needs and interests to the CIL;
6)Representing the CIL to the public.
B. EXPECTATIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS
1. Understand the CIL’s mission, goals, objectives, services and/or programs.
2. Keep informed by reading monthly program and financial reports, newsletter, annual report and other materials.
3. Regularly attend and participate in board meetings.
4. Regularly participate on a minimum of one committee.
5. Recommend nominees for the Board of Directors.
6. Assist with fund raising.
7. Make financial gifts as possible.
8. Recruit community committee members and other volunteers.
9. Attend annual board meeting and other special events sponsored by the CIL.
10. Exercise responsible governance.
11. Monitor the work of board committees.
12. Maintain accepted communication channels.
C. MEETINGS
A high priority for members of the Board of Directors is regular attendance at board meetings. The Board of Directors meets at a set time most months, with committee activity between meetings. Directors may be removed for more than three unexcused
absences from regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings in any year. An
agenda, along with other pertinent information, is mailed to all directors in advance of
meetings so they have an opportunity to prepare and be aware of matters to be
discussed.
The President presides over meetings. Roberts Rules of Order is followed. The
President makes certain no single person dominates the discussion and all opinions are