The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is currently seeking nominations and applications for both board members for 2012-2013 and committee members for 2012. Direct support professionals, direct support consumers, self-advocates, family members of consumers/self-advocates, and professionals working in a disability-related field are encouraged to apply.
To volunteer or nominate someone, you can do any of the following quick and easy steps to submit the full name, e-mail address, and phone number for you or the person you're nominating:
- use our online form by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, December 4; or,
- mail the information postmarked no later than Wednesday, November 30 to DSPAM; 800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A; St. Paul, MN 55114.
DSPAM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization working to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities. It does this by strengthening the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce. DSPAM is a volunteer-driven organization affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). DSPAM strives to help reduce turnover rates; increase social status; improve training opportunities and programs; increase educational and career opportunities; plus enhance wages paid and benefits offered for DSPs.
Members of DSPAM generally fall into the following three categories:
- DSPs and front-line supervisors;
- self-advocates (i.e. individuals experiencing chronic illness or disability) and family members; and,
- other professionals who work in Minnesota's chronic illness and disability communities.
The board of directors has operating and oversight responsibility for the Minnesota chapter. Presently, the Board meets quarterly in St. Paul. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the organization is operating within the legal standards governing non-profit corporations in the general areas of finance, programming, and oversight. Therefore, the board must approve the policies, positions, budgets, and plans for the organization.
Each board member is responsible for preparing for, then attending, quarterly board meetings. Board members are encouraged to stay up-to-date with issues impacting DSPs, asking questions, or otherwise gathering needed information. Board members also represent the organization at community events, as well as those events hosted by DSPAM. In addition, each board member must serve on at least one DSPAM committee.
Beside their efforts to recruit new board members, DSPAM is also recruiting DSPAM members and other supportive community members to actively participate with their committees. These committees meet once a month during months when there isn't a full board meeting. DSPAM has three basic committees with a variety of subcommittees available for participants.
- Legislative Policy Committee keeps tabs on laws, regulations, and policies that might impact DSPs in Minnesota. Committee members often talk with legislators and decision-makers to be sure they are informed of these issues. Sometimes, committee members will testify at the Legislature or even help to write pieces of bills with legislators.
- Communication Committee helps to develop content for the organization's website, Facebook page, and LinkedIn group. Plus, responsible for creating a newsletter that is distributed via e-mail and posted online. In addition, they create and distribute press releases and other printed material for our membership.
- Membership Development Committee focuses on recruiting new members to the organization, making presentations, conducting training, facilitating relationship-building, and offering information for DSPs, front-line supervisors, direct support providers, and the general community. This committee is active in various conferences, trade shows, and community events. Information conveyed may relate to DSPAM membership, DSP certification, issues facing DSPs, and other direct support topics. The committee also hosts the annual meeting, DSP recognition, and community awards event.
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