GOVERNANCE MODEL
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STEPS Forward is registered as a non-profit charitable organization. The mandate of the Board is to set up the infrastructure and advocate for access to university or college courses for adults with developmental disabilities.  At least one student at each campus will have significant and/or multiple disabilities.

The Society is governed by a Board of Directors whose members represent various areas of expertise and experience from the disability community and is a working partnership with community members.

The Board operates on these concepts:

·  shared leadership
·  individual and collective responsibility
·  inclusion of staff and students in decision making
·  commitment to a community involvement approach to inclusive post-secondary education
·  60% of the board must be comprised of a close relative (parent, sibling etc.) of an    
          individual with a developmental disability.
  
   And has six standing committees:
 
-Finance & Fundraising
-Personnel
-Service Development
-Outreach
-Bursary
-Membership
     
   A 5 yr. plan has been drafted by the  STEPS Forward Board and includes:
  
·  set-up and implementation of the inclusive post-secondary education model
·  diversification of our Board of Directors
·  expansion of our membership base
·  establishment of an on-campus office
·  set-up and maintenance of an inclusive post-secondary education research site
                 and broadening of community awareness around the need for inclusion in
          general, and of our project in particular
·  secure long-term funding for a province wide initiative



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