There are many opportunities to use leadership skills. Many parents have taken leadership roles and are actively involved in advocating for their children and others with disabilities. They serve as representatives on panels, they have leadership roles on boards, within organizations and government agencies. They have testified before school boards, legislative bodies and at public hearings.
Be a Leader In your Community
Work on an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Individuals with Disabilities
Help build an Accessible Playground.
Advise Faith Communities on Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities
Set up a Law Enforcement Training on Disability Awareness
Be a Leader In your Schools
Learn about your School Board.
Know Your School Board of Education
Members of a local school board are to “manage and control” and to make decisions on almost every aspect of public school operations. Each school board — as a whole — serves as the governing body. Individual board members have no authority outside of the board room.
Addressing Local Educational Policy
As you advocate for your child, you may find it necessary to move beyond the walls of the classroom and school in order to make a difference for all children in your district.
Changes are often made when parents stand before their school board and tell their stories.
Data can also be a useful reinforcement of your story.
Find more information about the performance of schools in your district.
Find data on key education and civil rights issues in your district.
Learn more about Department of Public Instruction
Get to know your School District
Be a Leader in Your State
Meet with your Legislators.
Attend Legislative Committee Meetings and Make Testimony.
Take a group to Disability Awareness Day at the State Capitol.
ADD Picture
ND Parent to Parent Opportunities
Become a P2P Volunteer
Join a Parent Navigator Team
Sponsor a Training in your area- link to a request form
Join our Board of Directors– Our volunteer Board consists of parents and professionals working together to monitor the organization on behalf of all the families affected by disability in North Dakota. FVND‘s board helps establish agency bylaws, and our mission and vision, as well as review financial statements, budgets, and policy manuals. There are times when the Board openly recruits new members. If you are interested…(link to my email)
Attend the Parent Leadership Institute
For more information about any of these opportunities, call FVND at 1-888-522-9654.
Other Opportunities
North Dakota Interagency Coordinating Council, advisory council for ND Early Intervention Programs
Apply for the ND State Council on Developmental Disabilities
ND Children’s Special Health Services
Call FVND for other opportunities and volunteer 888-522-9654