ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

February 13, 2008

What Makes an Effective Self-Advocacy Group?

To have an effective group, you need lots of leaders. Why? Lots of skills are needed, and no one has all of the skills. It’s good to have a mix of people with different skills and styles. Then you’ll have a well-rounded, effective organization.

Look around. Do you see someone who can do one or more of the following?

Work with people
Choose issues
Lead meetings
Understand organizations
Plan strategy
Manage money
Play politics
Use media
Communicate
Build culture
Teach
Speak in public

1.	Group Activity
2.	Resource


1.	Group Activity: Seeing Ourselves as Leaders Post butcher paper on the wall. Write the above skills on the butcher paper. Ask each person to write his or her name next to the skill(s) he or she brings to the group. Talk about the skills your group currently has. Do the issues your group works on match the skills you have? (Reminder: A good way to build the skills of your group members is by working on issues.) [Return to top]


2.	Resource Leading from the Middle Learn from national leaders and then use participatory exercises to help members of your group see themselves as leaders. [Return to top]

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Today’s Trivia Question:

Only ten U.S. states have no residential institutions for people with developmental disabilities (2008 data). Can you name three?

(The answer will be published
in the next Memo.)

Answer to February 6th Trivia Question:
a. None

Question was: Before 1950, how many state health departments offered any special services for children with developmental disabilities?

a.	None	c.	7
b.	2	d.	22

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