ShelterCare’s Participant Advisory Council is a participant-led group that meets every 1st Tuesday of the month, from 2:00-3:30 pm, at 499 West 4th Avenue. The meetings are open to anyone enrolled in ShelterCare programs, and provide participants with a collective platform to discuss their thoughts about ShelterCare programs, city-wide issues, community resources, and more.
Participant Advisory Council Brochure
Participant Advisory Council Mission Statement: The mission of the ShelterCare Participant Advisory Council is to increase the involvement of program participants in ShelterCare, and in the broader community, and to empower participants with a coordinated participant voice, in order to maximize their overall quality of life.
The ShelterCare Participant Advisory Council Purpose:
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- To give participants an opportunity to provide input regarding ShelterCare services.
- To give participants a voice in all levels of ShelterCare and to assist administration to provide the best possible programs, surroundings, and services.
- To promote an understanding among participants about the purpose of the Participant Advisory Council and its role within ShelterCare and provide an opportunity for socialization among participants.
Meeting Guidelines and Format:
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- Meetings will be held every 3rd Thursday of the month from 2:00-3:30 pm at 499 West 4th Avenue, unless otherwise stated.
- Meetings will be conducted in a civil and respectful manner.
- Each meeting will be conducted according to a written agenda which will include:
- Introductions, approval of the previous meeting minutes, financial report, announcements, Voices Newsletter updates, new business, guest speakers, and other topics as planned.
- An agenda planning meeting will take place the first week of the month with the support from the Staff Participant Liaison.
- Additions to the agenda can be suggested at the meeting by any participant present.
- Guest speakers, meeting activities, and agenda items will be developed by the group.
- Meeting facilitation will be shared. All participants in attendance are welcome to help facilitate.
- Decision making will be by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, voting will be conducted by the meeting facilitator(s) with the outcome determined by the majority of the participants present.
- Meeting participation is open to all ShelterCare participants. Every person receiving services from ShelterCare is considered a member of the ShelterCare Participant Advisory Council.
- Meeting minutes will be taken and will be submitted for approval at the following meeting.
Participant Advisory Council Non-Violent Statement: ShelterCare is a non-violent community. As a community which strives to be safe and respectful, we do not support gossiping, talking about other people, making fun of other people, or sarcastic remarks. We make every effort to address our issues with other people directly and privately. If we’re not able to do this, we seek support to improve our problem-solving skills. We are kind, caring and compassionate with each other. We do not support any acts of violence in our community, including swearing, yelling, harassing, threatening, hitting, hurting oneself or others, or making anyone a victim of our behavior. ShelterCare is a non-violent, safe, and respectful community.
This document was adopted unanimously by the Participant Advisory Council on June 20, 2019.