Client Advisory Board

[100proofBrandy]

on July 30 I got an email inviting me to serve on the Client Advisory Board at my hospital it meets once a month to advise staff on issues most important to clients.  The goal is to make clinic more user friendly for clients of all backgrounds. I'm a mentor at the hospital for newly diagnosed women. whats wild is I was shocked about it, I was jazzed now that its had time to sink in I wonder how I am going to contribute to it. the only thing I know that I want to see about is getting a hiv woman's support group going there seems to be gay men supports groups and a mixed group but no women's group so besides that what input do I have. this is the kind of thing Ive been going to school for to make a difference now that I have a chance IM SCARED. I have never done anything like this. I know its not a government board for funding or anything but its a big thing to me and important. Ive been a screw up all my life I'm just now these last few years getting my stuff together, I know I'm just nervous and once I go to a meeting I'm sure I'll get into the swing of thing's I hope! I just needed to vent
thanks Brandy

[BT65]

Relax, Brandy.  I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[bear60]

Give 'em hell Brandy.

[Oceanbeach]

Dear Brandy,

Several years ago, I was invited to meet with the first Advisory Board in our community.  Not the community I have lived in for the past few years, but it was the first Community Advisory Board in that community.  There were almost 30 people living with HIV in attendance, I was elected Chair.

We started out as Client Advisory Board but became Community Advisory Board.  Each month we met at the conference room of our health care provider, discussed an issue and had lunch.  I wrote an article each month in our ASO Newsletter.

The healthcare provider is required to hold these meetings and suggestions on the focus of these meetings are made but if the members do not do anything, nothing happens except, the next month meeting will be scheduled.  The Health care provider organization is required to have these meetings available to client/patients living with HIV because they receive RWCA funding.

In our community, Staff did not really want to be involved but they are required and they are paid.  It was their job to be there and the Vice President of Case Management preferred we eat out free lunch, get our HIV gas vouchers and come back next month.  It was kind of fun watching that Vice President of Case Management squirm in her chair as I presented ideas which provided actions in the community.

Don't be nervous, just go have some fun, get to know everyone and do some things which benefit the client/patients.   Since my Chair days and that community are in the past, I moved and became more involved in the Commission on AIDS, six of their subcommittees and their task forces, I was on the funding committee before losing our funding.  My Doctor said I did more than my fair share, I should stop and let others be the voice and I should have some fun    Have the best day
Michael

[Smoothstone]

Making a difference as an initiator of new or change in services or  as an ally to other initiators. Your participation and contributions will make change more likely. Sometimes you will initiate. Other times, just as importantly, you can support the ideas of other community members. There have been so many times when an idea or need is  presented, and no one chimes in supportively. It dies from lack of support. Other initiators will get momentum when you support them. Hopefully, they will in turn support your ideas. Give support, get support. Hope you give it a go. Many services and styles of service were generated by PWAs. Thanks. Hank