Fact Sheet: How to Establish and Maintain a Consumer Advisory Board

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Increasingly, mental health organizations are establishing consumer advisory boards to insure that the consumer voice is heard. In setting up such a board, keep the following concerns in mind:

Mission

For the consumer advisory board to be effective, it must have a clear mission. For some organizations, an advisory board works in only a consultative capacity, while for other organizations the board may have decision-making or review powers. Make sure that your advisory board's mission is clearly defined.

Recruitment

Consider what will be required of your board before you begin recruiting: What skills and attributes should your board members bring to the table? List these requirements in writing and then find a good mix of individuals who, between them, can meet your demands. Also look for a healthy balance of experience and new blood when recruiting board members.

Orientation

The better-trained your board members, the more effective they will be. Make sure that your board knows about your organization's mission, values and goals as well as its policies and procedures. Conduct a thorough training of the board when it is first established, and then provide ongoing training opportunities over time. Fund-raising, working with the media, mental health policy, and advocacy skills, for example, could all be possible subjects for training events.

Outcomes

You must assess your board's effectiveness. In writing, delineate your board's goals and explain how you will know when these goals are being met. Review your goals regularly to make sure that your board is meeting its objectives and to assess whether they need to be changed. Sample goals could be: to review all of the organization's publications, or to provide advice on all professional hires.

Motivation

Generally, advisory board members will be volunteers, and they must be shown that their efforts are not in vain. Offer ongoing training to your board, plan social events and awards banquets, and provide recommendation letters and references to show your appreciation for work well done. Ultimately, an effective board with the power to produce change will provide the best motivation.