Fundamental 8: Remember why you are there.

8) Remember why you are there. Take time to reflect on the unique role you play. Be true to those you represent.

Consumers are invited to "the table" because they have an expertise that no one else has. And they recognize that it is both an honor and a responsibility to be able to speak on behalf of consumers. It is crucial to always remember that the purpose of this work is to make life better for other people. There is no room in this effort for individual self-importance. Consumer leaders should make energetic efforts to spend time with other consumers, especially those who bring fresh perspectives and experiences.

For Example...
Joanna is the president of a statewide organization for parents of children with special needs. She has been involved in consumer activities for more than 15 years and jokingly refers to herself as one of the "grandmothers" of the consumer movement. Joanna attends many state and national meetings where important health and education issues are discussed. She has become increasingly concerned that she always sees the same consumers at these meetings. They are people like her who have been involved for many years and whose children are now adolescents or young adults.

Joanna recognizes the vast contribution that these experienced consumers make, but worries that they may be out of touch with the concerns of younger parents. She contacts three of her consumer colleagues who work in different regions of her state to discuss her concerns. Together they brainstorm an approach for gathering the input and experiences of young families.

Joanna sends a letter to the community support groups in her organization's database describing her interest in learning about these families' issues and concerns. She offers to attend their meetings so that she can learn first hand about their experiences. Several groups contact her and invite Joanna and her staff to attend a meeting. It is such a fruitful experience, that Joanna schedules a series of these community meetings throughout the year. Joanna believes that the information she gathers in these meetings keeps her "honest", and enables her to be a more forceful and informed spokeswoman for children with special needs and their families.

In this example, Joanna found a creative way to keep current on the issues and concerns facing families of children with disabilities. The needs of her own child and family had originally motivated her to become an advocate. Over time she gained skills and experience that helped her accomplish a great deal. But Joanna recognized how important it was to ensure that the advocacy goals she was pursuing reflected the real needs of families who were currently interacting with the service system. Like Joanna, we must be vigilant about staying true to a broad and diverse constituency of consumers.