About Microboards
What Is A Microboard?
A MicroboardTM is a small group of family and friends (a minimum of 5) who join with a person with a disability to create a non-profit organization. A Microboard is focused on the person's self-determination, empowerment, and supports planning using a person-directed approach. People and families that choose to invite others to form a Microboard fundamentally believe that
A Microboard is different from a Circle of Support as Circles are not formal entities, and often do not have the sustainability that a Microboard has. To learn more about Circles, click here.
- Building strong and abiding relationships is central to a person’s security and well-being.
- Everyone has the capacity to express their will and preferences in some way.
- Sharing power and decision-making with others to ensure that the person is heard and understood.
- Everyone deserves and wants to have a sense of purpose in their lives.
- It is essential for families to sustain the person’s relationships and decision-making powers for when they are no longer alive or capable to assist
A Microboard is different from a Circle of Support as Circles are not formal entities, and often do not have the sustainability that a Microboard has. To learn more about Circles, click here.
What Are The Benefits?
In addition to supporting a person’s decisions and direction, a Microboard:
- Helps to formalize a “Circle of Support/Network”.
- Expands the number of people in a person’s life.
- Supports the person to continue to direct their life and make key decisions.
- Helps keep a person’s vision and dreams alive.
- Provides support for siblings or next generation of support.
- Reduces pressure on families/caregivers.
- Means a person/family is less likely to go into crisis because in the event of sudden change, there is a committed group of people there to continue to support them.
The Role of a Microboard
It's important to remember that in creating a Microboard, you are creating a non-profit organization. A Microboard can:
- Receive and administer individualized/direct funding.
- Help oversee and manage assets (like a home, vehicle).
- Monitor and broker supports and services.
- Act as an “employer of record,” engaging employees and contracting with independent contractors and agencies.
- Liaise with trusts/trustees, RDSP and ODSP representatives.
- Ensure proper filing of tax and annual incorporation records.
- Hold the Powers of Attorney for financial and legal decisions; health and personal care decisions.
Guiding Principles
Vela Canada pioneered supporting people and families to create and sustain Microboards, based on work done by David & Faye Wetherow in the 1980's. Vela trademarked Microboards, asking that those using the name align to six principles:
- Microboard members have a personal relationship with the person for whom the board is created.
- All people are assumed to have the capacity for self-determination - they want to express their wishes, goals and what they like/don't like.
- All planning and decisions made by a Microboard will demonstrate regard for the person’s safety, comfort, and dignity, with consistent respect for his/her needs, wishes, interests, and strengths.
- Microboard members will help ensure the person participates in community activities with Microboard members (e.g. family functions, social events). This is done in ways that are natural for each of the people involved. It is these experiences that help a person make informed decisions!
- Ensure the person has the opportunity to both receive from and give to his/her community.
- All Microboard members will conduct board business in the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and collaboration.
