ELGP welcomes everyone. Board diversity needs to include people with disability.

Since the inception of the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards program (EYLACCB) we have championed diversity in all its forms on boards. Every year, when applications open for the annual Emerging Leaders in Governance program (ELGP) it’s an opportunity to encourage those from diverse backgrounds with community board aspirations to apply.

In 2019, AVIVO came on board as a Community Partner to support the program and are keen to encourage young people (under 40) with disabilities to put themselves forward for the program.

Avivo Board director, Gabrielle Trenbath says “EYLACCB recognises that people with disability are valued citizens with the right to be included in mainstream programs. We see them as assets and want to be part of developing a cohort of board-ready individuals who can be appointed to community boards.”  

The program has long engaged with organisations working with people with disabilities, this has included participants attending site visits with organisations, and listening to incredible people with disabilities who have served on community boards share their experiences at Unconventions and the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP). ELGP graduates have gone on to serve as board directors on organisations serving people with disabilities..

With applications now open for the 2021 program, now is the time to encourage the people with disabilities in your network who aspire to give back to their community to apply for the program.

“Board diversity cannot happen without including people with disability” Gabrielle shares. EYLACCB are encouraging you to support the people with disabilities in your networks to find out more about the program and apply.

EYLACCB continues to improve how it recruits and delivers the program, working with our Community Partners to enhance:

• the messaging and language used to encourage people with disabilities to apply and for community service providers to actively partner with participants in their journey to board appointments;
• how the program is delivered and in what way it can be made more inclusive;
• the program content to discuss the nuances around the participation of service users in the governance of community organisations.

If you have any questions about how you can be involved in the ELGP, please contact Program Facilitator, Alicia Curtis at alicia@alyceum.com.au.