Friends and Advocates Centre is many things to many people. For the Ontario Ministry of Health this program is classified as a community based, member driven, consumer survivor
peer support program. For members it can be a substitute for family, a self-help program, or a place to go to pass the time with other people. For some members it means having
someone to call when they feel they are getting into a crisis situation and for others, it's having someone to call to celebrate getting a new job.

But for all members it is quite clear, this program is member driven and the members make the decisions from hiring new staff, to spending money on a big trip such as camping.
Much has been said about recovery and the involvement of members in planning and implementing programs but few survivors involved in this type of model actually sit on Boards of
Directors or make major decisions about staff appointments, salaries or budgets.

The members of Friends and Advocates Centre make major decisions.  Each member has one vote, and a monthly General Members' Meeting is held to discuss issues and
recommendations that may have been forthcoming from a prior committee meeting. Our General Members Meetings take the place of monthly Board meetings. It is at this monthly
meeting that final decisions are made, and where every member who attends has the opportunity to propose changes and convince others of his/her position. Staff is considered
members as well, and each staff person who attends this meeting is also entitled to one vote.

Committees are open to all members to plan social activities, deal with personnel matters, take action about social issues or to produce our quarterly news magazine. Members can
choose to be involved with some of these committees or none, depending on their interests. But for those members that are involved in planning and implementation committees,
there is an enormous sense of pride and accomplishment when an action is completed successfully.

To comply with Ontario's laws and the Corporations Act, Five members are elected annually to act as executives and to be our nominal Board of Directors. They voluntarily share their
decision-making power with the rest of our members and they only have one vote at a General Members' Meeting like everyone else.

Often we hear the same story from agencies, and other mental health workers, that the people they deal with are just not capable of making these kinds of decisions or working on
Boards or committees. The irony of this is that many times they are talking about the same individuals who very successfully make these decisions at Friends and Advocates. We feel
everyone has something to offer, even if it is just being present at a meeting to support other members and saying little. The key is to make meetings comfortable, where members are
not intimidated and feel their opinions are valued. Currently Friends and Advocates Centre follows Roberts Rules of Order to come to agreements.  

Almost all of our members have one or more psychiatric diagnosis, or a major mental health problem, and most have been hospitalized at one time or another, sometimes repeatedly.
Also, most members are on medication and see a psychiatrist or therapist on a regular basis. It is important to be aware of these facts about the program to refute the belief of many
professionals that people who have major mental health problems cannot be involved in decision-making and in taking the responsibility for their program.

When Friends and Advocates Centre began 30 years ago, as a grass roots organization the one vital belief that still exists today is that everyone has something to contribute; that
everyone has a right to voice their opinion. Even though the program has been changing to meet the members' needs and with the changing times, it’s basic philosophy is still the
same.

Staff are looked on as resource people to help members solve problems or intervene in a crisis if asked to. Their main duties are to facilitate members' decisions and to try and
motivate members to get involved with the program. The Personnel Committee made up of members in the program hires staff, all who are survivors. Staff home numbers are
provided to each member in case of emergency or crisis. Staff is available twenty-four hours a day if needed, and this opportunity is seldom abused.

The social/recreational aspect of the program comes up with approximately 40 or more activities per month occurring during the day, evenings and on weekends each month. We also
have various committee meetings that we encourage members to attend. The Recreation and Leisure Planning Committee, chooses activities to include on the calendar to meet the
needs of approximately one 200 members whose age’s range from sixteen to sixty, and this is not an easy task.  However, if members do not like the events they can go to this
monthly committee meeting and plan other things. That is their responsibility.

Although there are many scheduled social events, friendships form and people get together on their own to pursue interests. Some of these interests have resulted in marriages or
long-term relationships, but for others who have been socially isolated, this intimacy is more difficult.    
What it's all about
Friends and Advocates Centre