FAQ's about Advisory Councils
Frequently Asked Questions About Serving on Advisory Councils and Boards
To join or not to join...this is the big question most patients and families start off asking. It is nice to be invited, but it is even nicer to have expertise to share, but...but...
Do I have enough time? And how will this affect my family?
What Is an Advisory Council?
Within your community or state, there may be many opportunities to serve as part of an advisory group to an agency or organization. Generally speaking, advisory groups do not have responsibility for planning activities, fund-raising, or decision making for the organization. Their role is to advise - they study the issue at hand, collect input from members of the advisory group and perhaps externally from the community, and report back to the larger agency. Your duties on such an advisory group would probably include attending meetings, gathering information from your community, and certainly contributing your own perspective e and expertise. The group may also have to prepare recommendations for the agency. Some advisory groups are permanent, and others will be disbanded after they have served their purpose of providing guidance and insight.
Some questions you may wish to ask:
- Exactly what will my responsibilities be?
- How long will I be expected to serve?
- How often do you meet? At what time? Where?
- Are there any travel requirements?
- Do you provide orientation or ongoing training for new members?
- What authority does the advisory group have for such aspects such as: the budget, services/programs/policies, personnel, public awareness, legislative or advocacy activities, and review of performance?
- Who wants the group, and why?
Why Should I Serve?
- Having a change to help others, share what you have learned, and to help others learn.
- Influencing the direction of activities, services, and policies. Your opinion matters. You can help shape how services or policies unfold.
- Learning more about programs that may benefit you or your family member and other families find and use helpful services and programs.
- Learning skills that will help you in your present job or help you get a better one. You can add your council experience to your resume especially any special projects your work on. Serving on the Council may broaden your network and contacts.
- Making a difference. This is your opportunity to create positive change in the lives of individuals and their families. Your concrete and practical knowledge about disease processes can help ensure that the decisions made by the larger organization are informed ones.
With All of My Responsibilities, How Can I Make Time for This?
Yes, time is always a problem. You will be asked to attend meetings, and you may need to do research between meetings. Find out how much of a time commitment is involved, and make sure you have - or can make- the time before you say yes. It may help to look at this time commitment as an investment: an investment in your family, in your community, and in yourself.
Can I Really Make Change Happen?
Usually, change happens when people become aware of what needs to happen, how it needs to happen, and care that it happens. You can make change happen by getting involved; giving your time and energy to the Council, and helping others get involved.
Impact of Patient & Family Advisory Councils:
- Giving providers and administrators access to an experienced, diverse group of families willing to serve in a consulting capacity for policy and program development and evaluation.
- Provides the opportunity to receive ongoing feedback that goes beyond what would be learned from satisfaction surveys and focus groups.
- Having a forum available to develop creative, cost-effective solutions to problems.
- Having a mechanism in place for receiving and responding to community input on a regular basis.
The Work of Family Advisory Councils Can Lead to:
- Services and programs that respond more effectively to consumer needs and priorities.
- Increased understanding and collaboration between families and staff
- Wiser use of scarce health care resources
For More Information
Please contact Chris Shaw at 262-569-0234 or christine.shaw@phci.org to learn more about the Patient & Family Advisory Council.