DRAFT

BRAIN INJURY

SUPPORT GROUP CHARTER

(As of 12/13/2007)

I. Name: Our name will be: Charles County Brain Injury Support Group.

II. Mission: The Charles County Brain Injury Support Group will focus on PEOPLE recovering from brain injury and their caregivers, family, and friends who must live with the consequences of traumatic or acquired brain injury. Our mission is to provide an effective forum for peer-to-peer support tailored to meet the special needs of the brain injured who reside in Southern Maryland.

We believe that members of our group have a unique understanding of brain injury and can share the “lessons learned” and other valuable information with each other through peer-to-peer group interaction.

We also believe social activities and having fun are an important part of the recovery process.

III. Objectives: Our main objectives are to:

• Establish a well-run and supportive forum for meaningful exchange of ideas and have fun while doing it.

• Assist survivors and caregivers in the recovery process to overcome all barriers to full participation in society.

• Encourage self-help and empowerment through brain injury advocacy, prevention, education, awareness, and self-determination.

• Provide peer support by people who have experienced a brain injury and by caregivers and professionals who have a first hand knowledge of the medical and/or rehabilitation processes involved. The goal is to help others in a similar situation to more effectively identify, access, and use the existing medical and/or rehabilitation service delivery systems that available at the federal, state, and local level.

• Recognize and encourage leadership and other talents within the group.

IV. Benefits and Outcomes:

Regular attendance at support group meetings should:

• Increase your knowledge and awareness of the consequences of brain injury.

• Encourage you to share your knowledge, “lessons learned”, and “best practices” in overcoming or compensating for the effects of brain injury.

• Help other parents, caregivers, friends, and people who have experienced brain injury in their recovery process.

• Receive assistance and/or assist others in identifying and locating important resources and best services available for recovery.

• Meet people who share an understanding of the consequences of brain injury.

• Keep abreast of various cutting edge techniques and therapies as they are being developed.

• Stay informed on important issues related to brain injury

• Develop and improve social skills, increase social activities, and prevent isolation and depression associated with the brain injured and caregivers.

• Become a voice for those who have experienced brain injury.

• Join the effort to overcome the stigma and barriers experienced by the brain injured and their family.

V. Membership:

• Any traumatic or acquired brain injury survivor, caregiver, family member, friend doctors, nurses, therapist, social workers, or other impacted by brain injury are invited to attend meetings and become a regular member. Even though this group primarily serves Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties, our membership is not restricted to residents of Southern Maryland. Anyone may attend a support group meeting. Membership is obtained by simply asking to be added to the membership list.

• We will not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, or veteran status.

• Only members may be officers and/or voting members.

• Regular attendance at meetings and group functions is encouraged but not mandatory to retain membership.

VI. Organizational Structure:

The group organization will consist of the following elected officers

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Secretary

4. Treasurer

5. Meeting Coordinator

6. Hospitality Coordinator

7. Publicity/Information Coordinator

8. IT/Resource Coordinator

VI. Duties of Elected Members

1. President:

• Create meeting agenda,

• Lead group meetings and keep meetings on track,

• Communicate information to group.

2. Vice – President:

• Perform the duties of President when President is absent or unavailable.

• Assist President to insure that meeting priorities are met.

3. Secretary:

• Record and maintain minutes of meetings

• Record and track action items assigned along with their due dates

• Record and maintain meeting attendance

• Record and maintain membership information including name, address, phone number, and email address.

4. Treasurer:

• Collect and account for donations made at meetings, fund raisers, or other gifts as necessary

• Maintain accurate financial records,

• Report financial status at each meeting,

• Coordinate and document purchases and bill payment,

• Follow Spring Dell financial procedures.

5. Meeting Coordinator

• Contact group members about time and location of meetings.

• Sets up meetings.

• Handle refreshments.

• Insure that clean up is done after the meeting.

6. Hospitality Coordinator

• Greet attendees as they arrive

• Welcome visitors, guest speakers, or new members

7. Publicity/Information Coordinator:

   • Gather Relevant Information

   • Prepare and send “Thank You” card to guest speakers

   • Coordinate guest speakers

8. IT/Resource Coordinator:

• Maintain Support Group information website at: www.ccbrain.wordpress.com,

• Make IT related improvements as recommended by support group members.

• Organize and maintain important brain injury resource information on the website.

VII. Eligibility of Members who hold Elected Positions

• President: Must be a survivor

VIII. Election of Officers:

All elected positions will be chosen by the group membership by majority vote. Election of Officers will be conducted no later than the March meeting each year. Election of officers will be by secret ballot of the members present at the meeting. A majority vote of those members present is required. In the event of a tie, the election shall be decided by the flip of a coin. In no case will proxy voting be allowed. Only members in good standing may nominate, be nominated, and vote.

IX. Meetings

Regular Meetings: Held on the 2nd Thursday of each month.

• Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Place: Spring Dell Center at Spring Dell Center, 6040 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646

Special Meetings: May be held at the request of the group President or majority vote of the membership.

Order of Meeting: The general order of meetings should be as follows:

• Call to Order by President

• Welcome visitors, guests, and new members

• Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting

• Treasurer Report

• Agenda set depending on the type of meeting described below

• Closure (Meeting must adjourn no later than 7:30 p.m. to allow the Spring Dell Clean up crew to go home)

Meeting Types: Monthly Group Meetings will normally be one or combination of the following types:

• Business (Elections and other business)

• Guest Speaker (Invited guest speakers)

• Discussion(Group discussion of important topics)

• Entertainment (i.e. Games, Videos, etc.)

• Party (i.e. Christmas)

X. Amendments

This Charter may be amended at any regular meeting by a majority vote of the members present and by approval of the Spring Dell Advisor provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at least one meeting prior to the amendment voted on.

XI. By-Laws

With the approval of the advisor the by-laws are necessary for the work and development of the support group in harmony with the spirit and purpose of this Charter may be adopted.

Guest speakers and events must be approved by the Spring Dell Advisor at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. This is to insure availability for the facility for such an event.

XII. Spring Dell Advisor Responsibilities

• Advisors must be appointed by Spring Dell and be a Spring Dell employee.

• Advisors must attend all meetings, activities and events of the support group to ensure observation of Spring Dell’s policies and regulations.

• Assist and Advise membership in planning, executing, and evaluating the support groups programs and projects.

• Ensure that the proper required forms are filed out and returned in a timely manner to the proper Spring Dell department or office.

• Approve and sign budget and requisition forms when appropriate.

• Recommend and evaluate guest speakers for club/organization meeting, activity or event.

• Approve all publicity and correspondence written on behalf of the group.

• Notify and obtain approval of the Spring Dell if radio, television, or other media is expected to cover a meeting or event.

• Notify the President or Vice-President when the Advisor will be absent and arrange for a substitute to attend and oversee the meeting, activity or event.

I have read, understand and hereby agree to comply with the above responsibilities and information stated in the Brain Injury Support Group Charter.

President Signature/Date

Spring Dell Advisor Signature/Date

Be Thou My Vision

A Traditional Celtic Hymn To Hear Music CLICK HERE as arranged by Eric Herron and recorded by Unkept Band.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day, or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence -my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, O Lord of my heart
I ever with Thee and Thou with me,
Lord Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I -- with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my Treasure - Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler – of all.

Jesus, My King

This message by Dr. S.M. Lockridge is the most powerful 3 minute message you will ever hear.

Give Me Jesus

Where is God?

Where is God when we need Him? Precisely where He always has been—in His heaven taking complete charge of everything that happens in His world (Ps. 103:19). We don’t have to understand God’s plan, for it often may not make sense to our limited, finite, human logic. In tragedy, our response to the omnipotent King of heaven must echo the attitude of those brave young men in the Book of Daniel: our God is able to deliver us from any suffering. But even if He chooses not to, we will still serve Him.

Sanctuary of Suffering

The following is taken from an article written by Mark Bailey.

All believers enter the “sanctuary of suffering” during our lives here on earth. That we can experience deep joy in the midst of our suffering defies human logic. Yet such joy is possible. Why? Because we have hope. We anticipate a future of eternal fellowship, of worship instead of suffering, and of a great sanctuary filled with singing and with no hint of lament.“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). - by Mark Bailey

Father, thank you for your gift of worship - even when it hurts.