Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services

Board of Directors

The Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services (Mo P&A) Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization.

The Board is responsible for setting overall direction, making policy decisions, establishing long range plans, hiring and evaluating the Executive Director, monitoring compliance with financial and legal requirements, ensuring that the priorities, goals, and programs of the organization remain faithful to its mission, and providing continued volunteer leadership for the nonprofit corporation.

The organization cannot function either legally or practically without a knowledgeable, hardworking, and enthusiastic Board.

Position Title:

Member of the Board of Directors

Duties:

Serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term. Attend four meetings of the Board of Directors annually. Participate in policymaking at the highest level. Monitor activities of the Executive Director in carrying out program priorities, goals, objectives, and policies set by the Board. Represent the organization in the community when appropriate. Assist the organization in gaining needed community support by exercising personal and professional contacts whenever possible. Accept leadership positions on the Board as appropriate.

Qualifications:

Interest in the mission, programs, and goals of the organization. Available time and experience or knowledge in at least one of the following areas: business management, finance, personnel, law, advocacy, program development, evaluation, and public relations.

Time Commitment:

The Board of Directros usually meets on a Friday for about four hours, four times per year. The Board meetings are held in mid-Missouri (Jefferson City or Columbia) or via web conference. Approximately two hours preparation time for all meetings. Additional time is required when a member accepts a position of greater responsibility within the Board.

Training Provided:

A half-day initial orientation about the programs of the organization and the responsibilities of the Board of Directors. Ongoing training as needed with the Executive Director and the Board Chair.

Benefits:

Board members are active participants in the success of the organization's mission. They have the opportunity to develop and use new skills, as well as interact with a variety of interesting people. They learn more about the organization's field of service. They gain experience in leadership and management which often transfers to their career life. They share the satsifaction of contributing to the well-being of their community and to individuals with disabilities that are served by the organization.

Member Restrictions:

No Board member shall be employed by any agency or organization which provides treatment or services, other than advocacy services, to persons with disabilities. [Corporate Bylaws - Article V, Section 4]

 

Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services

PAIMI Advisory Council

The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (42 CFR Part 51), as amended by the Public Law 106-319, The Children's Health Act of 2000, required Protection and Advocacy Systems to establish a PAIMI Advisory Council:

(a) which will advise the system on policies and priorities to be carried out in protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals diagnosed with mental illness; and

(b) which shall include attorneys, mental health professionals, individuals from the public who are knowledgeable about mental illness, providers of mental health services, individuals who have received or are receiving mental health services, and family members of such individuals, and at least 60 percent of the membership of which shall be comprised of individuals who have received or are receiving mental health services or who are family members of such individuals; and

(c) which shall be chaired by an individual who has received or is receiving mental health services or who is a family member of such an individual.

The following Federal requirements for the P&A Board of Directors and PAIMI Advisory Council are ones which influence the involvement of consumer and family members in PAIMI program activities:

• Board of Directors: The Board of Directors has final responsibility for planning, design, implementation, and functioning of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services.
  
  
• PAIMI Advisory Council: The Advisory Council discusses current issues, makes recommendations which will further the mission of the agency, and submits an annual report.
  
  
• Annual Priorities: The Board of Directors and the PAIMI Advisory Council jointly develop the annual statement of objectives and priorities for the PAIMI program. The final responsibility regarding approval and implementation of the objectives and priorities rests with the Board of Directors.
  
  
• Board Representation: The Board of Directors shall be composed of members who broadly represent the clients served by the Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, including individuals diagnoses with mental illness, other individuals with a disability, and family members of individuals with a disability.
  
  
• PAIMI Advisory Council Chair: The Chair of the PAIMI Advisory Council shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
  
  
• Contracts: Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services may enter into contracts with organizations, including groups run by individuals who have received or are receiving mental health services or by the family members of such individuals, with PAIMI program funds. Mo P&A may also contract with outside individuals, organizations, agencies, etc. for the provision of services to support system activities, such as computer services, data analysis, newsletters, education, and training, etc.
  
  
• PAIMI Advisory Council Report: It is required that the PAIMI Advisory Council prepare an annual report describing both the activities of the Council and its assessment of the operations of the PAIMI program.
  
  
• Public Comment: On an ongoing basis, the PAIMI program will provide the public with an opportunity for commenting on priorities and activities of the PAIMI program.
  
  
• Grievance Procedure: There is an established grievance procedure for clients and prospective clients of the Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services to assure individuals diagnosed with mental illness have full access to services.

PAIMI Advisory Council Roles

The PAIMI Advisory Council will consult, advise, and recommend on ongoing policies and priorities and on the annual plan, priorities, and reports of the System. Responsibilities are:

• Provides advice, input, counsel, observations, and recommendations to the Board of Directors and staff regarding the goals, objectives, priorities, policies, evaluations, annual plans, reports, and operation of the PAIMI program, with the understanding that administrative responsibilities and policy setting authority remain with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
  
  
• Maintains an awareness of the roles, responsibilities, functions, and mission of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services.
  
  
• Reviews and understands the issues being considered and supports PAIMI activities.
  
  
• Serves as a vital link with the mental illness community and other disability organizations, and shares information and experiences that willa ssist in furthering the mission of Mo P&A.
  
  
• Discusses PAIMI program services to determine if they are meeting the needs of mental health consumers, their family members, and the mental health community.
  
  
• Maintains good working relationships with the Board of Directors and staff.
  
  
• Attempts to achieve consensus on controversial issues.
  
  
• Seeks representation on the Board of Directors.
  
  
• Avoids conflict of interest by abstaining from actions such as subcontracts involving organizations where there is a vested interest.

 

Nomination and Selection Process

For more information on the nomination and select process, please call 1-866-777-7199, extension 119. If you did not already upload your resume to this form, please mail a copy of your current resume to:

Mo P&A Board Nomination
925 South Country Club Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

 

Click the submit button below to send Mo P&A your nomination. A member of our staff will contact you to follow up on your nomination.