How Do You Get Ready for a Microboard?
​

Watch this First!
Brendon Pooran, Chair of Microboards Ontario and PooranLaw Principle discusses the basic steps to incorporating a Microboard in Ontario.
Beginning to think about what will happen to your family member in the future?
Wondering who is going to ensure their goals and vision for their life are upheld?
Then now is a good time to start thinking about a Microboard. Microboards can be started at any age, but they do need some planning, so it's something to start before you or your family member need one.
If you think a Microboard is something you and your family member are interested in, send us an email at info@microboardsontario.com. 

Microboards involve the support of friends and family, who help a person with making decisions and setting goals that are important to them. The person, often a director of the Microboard, has an equal voice, autonomy and is empowered to live their best life. 

How is a Microboard different from a Circle of Support/Network?

A Circle, Circle of Support, Circle of Friends or a Support Network is a group of friends, family or others who support a person with living a full life and making their own decisions.. Circles can be an important source of support and friendship throughout a person’s life.  
Circles are different from Microboards in that they are not formal entities, and often do not have the sustainability that a Microboard has. To learn more about Circles, click here.

The Role of Independent Facilitation in a Microboard 

Independent Facilitators help keep the Microboard focused, aligned with its values and ensures the person is heard. They also:
  • Support the deepening and broadening of relationships.
  • Help focus the Microboard support the person to create a valued role and trusted relationships in the community. 
  • Support decision-making by helping strengthen and amplify the person’s voice and ensure everyone is heard.
  • Assist Microboard members to understand and carry out their roles. 
Independent Facilitators strive to be free of conflicts of interest and are not Microboard members. For more information, visit the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) ​or Partners for Planning.

Role of Microboard Directors

​Microboards generally have at least 5 directors who are part of the Microboard. The person-supported is often a director themselves. The role directors play, in addition to the fiduciary responsibilities of any non-profit corporation include: 
  • Be Part of Freely Given Relationships 
  • Trust In The Person 
  •  Act as Advisors 
  • Deepen Connections 
  • Work Collaboratively and respectfully​​
Microboard Directors, like any non-profit Board Director, are unpaid. Critical is that they have a relationship with the person at the centre of the Microboard, and that they support a person in making decisions and planning for their future.

Learn More

Setting up a Microboard is the first step of a lifelong journey for you and your family member, and provides peace of mind knowing they will be supported into the future by people who care about them. To find out more about the role of Independent Facilitation, governance, legal aspects and more, visit Workshops. For more information about Microboards, their role, benefits and more, visit our About Microboards page, or Stories for the real life impact Microboards have had on people and families.