*CHP Archives: Tips for Being a Support Person

On Board Fact Sheet: Tips for Being a Support Person


The Commitment:

  • be committed to the person you are supporting
  • have an idea of the time you can commit to a person and be honest with them about this from the start
  • be willing to go over the agenda before hand if the person wants this
  • come a few minutes early to a meeting to check-in with the person you are supporting
  • be on time for meetings and bring the materials you are supposed to*
  • be prepared for changes in the person you are supporting and that they might change their mind about ideas
  • if you are going to be late for a meeting or can’t make it, make sure you tell the person you are supporting in advance…so he or she can make arrangements for another support person* (do not make arrangements for another support person without talking to the person you are supporting first)

Respect:

  • respect the person you are supporting on their rights to make their own decisions, to disagree, to do things in their own ways*
  • treat the person you are supporting like an adult and equal to others*
  • respect confidentiality…remember that as a support person you might be given information that is confidential and that you should keep to yourself*
  • remember that you are working for the person you are supporting*
  • be aware that the person you are supporting might like to hang out with others during the break times*
  • do not try to guess what the person you are supporting is saying, or cut him or her off, rather wait until he or she has finished their sentences*

Patience:

  • if you are uncomfortable doing something as a support person discuss it with the person you are supporting*
  • be open and willing to learn from each other*
  • give the person you are supporting time to explain things even if it takes a while*
  • use easy-to-understand language
  • its OK to be quiet and not say a whole lot when supporting a person

Outside of the Meeting:

  • meet with the person one or a few times as needed before their first board meeting to work out a support plan together
  • take time now and then to see how things are going
  • remember sometimes a quick check-in to see how things are going is good support

On a Final Note:

  • keep mind of the things the person told you not to support them on–don’t over support
  • use your mistakes as learning experiences
  • give notice as early as possible if you can no longer be a support person*

* These tips were taken originally from the book: Gobel, S., & Flynn, J. (1994). Not Another Board Meeting! Guides to Building Inclusive Decision-Making Groups. — The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Council.  Ordering information can be found on the list of Resources on Building Inclusive Boards.