Forum 18th March 2009 to discuss the proposal for a Single Umbrella Group, or Peak Body
This report gives some of the background to the proposal which will be discussed at the forum:
Executive Summary
Report on establishing a single national association of disability support service providers.
Introduction
The Chairs of ASENZ, SLNZ, NRID and VASS supported by the CEO’s of IHC New Zealand Inc and CCS Disability Action
formed an interim management group (IMG) to explore the support for, and feasibility of, establishing a single
national association of disability support service providers.
Between October and December 2008 work was undertaken which involved:
• Review of the work and structures of the existing associations
• Review of relevant Australian and New Zealand models
• Discussion with senior government officials
• Distribution of a discussion paper to all members of existing associations
• Opportunities for members to raise issues at various association and other meetings.
The full report pulls together the material gathered, summarises the feedback from the discussion paper and provides some options as to what next.
The Support for a Single National Association
There was strong support for a single national association of disability support service providers.
Of the thirty (30) organisations responding to the discussion document twenty-seven (27) supported the overall concept, two (2) were opposed and one (1) expressed reservations.
The 30 respondents represented around 25% of the total membership, taking into account common membership.
Those expressing support for the general proposal often made useful suggestions as to the detail of what needed to be included.
While practical drivers were important such as avoiding the existing duplication of resource and effort, the primary benefit was seen as offering a stronger provider voice across whole of government. Government officials and allied organisations also expressed support in principle for the proposal.
The Proposal
The proposal being considered and supported by the majority of those responding to the discussion document is represented diagrammatically below. The proposal is still open to discussion and modification.
The association or coalition proposed is an association of disability support services providers replacing the four existing associations.
The vision is: for a strong community based support service sector that contributes to a society that values the lives and enhances the full participation of disabled people.
The mission is: to support and promote the capacity and capability of disability support service providers to meet the needs of disabled people.
The focus is: in the initial stages the members of the existing associations and their client groups.
The primary objectives are:
• To represent the views and interests of members to government (and the public)
• To provide wide ranging comment, advice and consultation to government on the development of policy and legislation
• To support members to build capacity and skills to meet the needs of disabled people
• To establish, promote and recognise high standards for the delivery of disability support services
• To address members’ educational and informational needs
• To work collaboratively with disabled people and their families to foster an inclusive society.
The desired outcomes are:
• Disability issues are a priority for government
• Disability support service providers are a valued partner in the delivery of services
• The support service sector is well connected, networked and committed to evidence based best practice
• The contract relationship meets best practice guidelines
• Workers in the sector are valued for the work they do.
Full membership would be available to not-for-profit and for-profit organisations who provide support services
through contacts with government to people with disability. Associate membership would be available to individuals and other interested organisations.
The structure would quite simply involve a Board elected by the wider membership and a small staff team. The structure would also include a number of special interest committees or networks to provide an opportunity for members to share information and participate in forums with organisations doing similar work. Initially these networks would be aligned with the interests of the existing associations, supported living, open employment, business enterprises and residential accommodation but would be modified as needs change.
Funding would be primarily from membership fees supplemented by income from conferences and specific contract work.
Benefits and Risks
Feedback from the consultation suggested the primary benefits of a single association of disability support
providers as:
• Offering a more strategic cross service, cross government focus
• Achieving greater leverage across a range of issues
• Enhancing capacity to advocate for change following the Select Committee Report
• Providing greater recognition of the provider sector
• Building a more effective relationship with government through a collective voice
• Forging stronger partnerships with allied organisations.
Advantages were seen in moving away from an insular single service focus to focusing on the issues that impact across service boundaries at the same time as preserving the ability to focus on areas of special interest.
Feedback also highlighted a number of risks and concerns:
• Creating an expensive talk-fest and changing nothing
• Being too ambitious in focus
• Devaluing and disempowering parts of the sector, particular mention was made of small providers, blind and vision impaired people and people with experience of mental illness
• Splitting the sector and competing for members and resources
• Moving too quickly and undermining collaboration
• Losing the close relationships already forged with government officials and members.
Another concern related to how the relationship with disabled people was to be taken into account. Talks are ongoing with DPA and People First as to how their organisations might work in partnership with a provider
association.
The concerns as to the place of special interest groups could be addressed in a number of ways including maintaining special interest networks, convening regional forums, and maintaining regular communication. Ultimately the success of any membership organisation will depend on the value members derive from their association with that organisation.
Summary of Current Position
Currently there is substantial support for the proposal to form a single association of disability service providers. There is broad support for the structure, mission, vision and objectives proposed. Establishment of a single association is feasible given the level of support, the building blocks that are already in place and the size of the potential membership base. However there remain differences of opinion as to the process and speed of achieving that end objective.
Options
Options fall into two major classes:
1. Variations on the status quo which involve retaining the existing associations as separate legal entities
2. Establishing a single national association which would involve retaining the existing associations only in a transition period after which the new single legal entity would be formed.
Variations on Status Quo
Informal Coalition
This would involve retaining existing structures and identifying areas of collaboration and joint work. The risk of this option is that joint work is not often given the same priority as the organisation’s own work programme. This option still requires some leadership to facilitate the joint working. An informal coalition might exist for the longer term or be a stepping stone to establishing a single entity further down the track if that is the wish of members.
Formal Coalition
There are a number of options for a more formal coalition of the existing associations which could be explored if this was a majority view. There has been talk of a “peak body for umbrella organisations” and there has been some confusion in the sector as to whether the proposal being considered was for a new membership organisation or a new organisation of umbrella organisations as members. A Council of existing associations could be established that comprised members of each of the existing boards and had the mandate to oversee particular areas of work. The Council could potentially embrace other allied organisations. The lobbying and advocacy function on behalf of the sector might well be driven by this lobby. Each of the existing associations would retain their own membership base and have the primary responsibility for networking and information sharing but would be represented on a Council charged with undertaking specific tasks. This option may or may not be an interim step to merging the structures. The option has an appeal in that it could potentially provide for a broader based coalition. However the main downside is the cost of adding another structure and overhead into a stretched sector. It will not address the duplication of resources and the demands on common membership. It does however offer potential for a collective voice on issues of strategic priority.
Establishing a Single National Association
These options involve the Boards of some, or all, existing associations making a commitment to moving ahead with the establishment of a national association of disability providers. Existing entities would be retained for a transition period only.
Merger of existing associations
This would involve the existing associations committing to a merger and working over an agreed timeframe to
achieving that objective.
An Establishment Group would need to identify and oversee the work plan which would include:
• Confirming establishment budget and initial 2 year operating budget
• Developing draft constitution
• Merging membership lists and setting up regular electronic communication
• Reviewing existing contracts and obligations and mapping transition path for each entity
• Convening inaugural meeting to approve new constitution and elect initial board
• Launch and register new entity.
The existing associations would continue to exist over the period until the establishment of the new entity. The benefit of this approach is an orderly transition that fosters a community of members from among the existing membership. The risks are that the momentum for change is lost and that the entity does not become more than the sum of its parts.
Fresh start
If the existing organisations cannot or do not commit within a reasonable timeframe to merging, the option exists to build a new entity from a fresh base. A sufficient critical mass would be required to proceed. This option would involve essentially the same tasks as above. The existing structures would be retained over the transition. The risk of this option is that it potentially sets up competition for members and risks dividing an already fragmented sector. The benefit is that it satisfies those who are keen to get off the ground without endless attempts to obtain a consensus that may never be forthcoming. It does allow for a fresh focus and puts the onus on the new entity to demonstrate value to members to attract new members. It does risk eroding the support base of those associations who elect to retain their existing organisation but it does offer the potential to attract new members.
Outcome of Meeting December 4th, 2008
Following a meeting of the Chairs of ASENZ, SLNZ, NRID and VASS and a small number of interested member
organisations it was decided to continue the work towards the establishment of a single national association to be known as a Coalition of Disability Support Providers.
An establishment group to be chaired by John Taylor (currently Chair of SLNZ), was tasked with overseeing an establishment work programme. The establishment group is to include:
• Chairs of NRID, VASS, ASENZ, SLNZ
• CEOs of IHC New Zealand Inc and CCS Disability Action
• Representation from RNZFB
• Representation from Wellington After-Care Association and Career Moves Trust representing the voice of smaller providers.
• CEO of Spectrum Care (Chair of Interim Management Group)
A work programme, transition plan and timeline for the establishment of a national coalition of disability support service providers are to be developed. The work programme will allow further opportunity for discussion and input.
