Notes on Roles and Responsibilities for DPO Network representatives

The DPO Network is invited to send representatives on behalf of the Network as a collective to participate in discussions, attend launches and present on the behalf of the DPO Network.
As part of the process, DPO network member organisations are often asked to nominate individuals to represent the Network and this draft discussion document aims to identify the role, responsibilities and support structures needed for people to accurately represent the DPO network.
Ideally the DPO Network will be represented by disabled activists who are already actively involved in one of the five member organisations.
It is important that when disabled people are interested in taking on representational roles that there is a clear understanding on what the expectations the DPO Network has for representatives is clear and that there is a clear shared understanding of the role of DPO network representatives. It is also worth acknowledging that any of the DPO representatives are also actively involved in the work of one of the member organisations and that our primary loyalty is to that member organisation, but for the purposes of representing the Network our aim is that representatives can bring the collective shared views of the Network and not just our own membership organisation or individual lived experience.
In most instances, our individual lived experience or collective views as individual DPOs will be consistent with the collective views and values of the DPO Network.

What is my role as an DPO Network representative?

When we are representing the DPO Network, it is important to acknowledge/say that you are representing five national DPO members of the Network.
To work with DPO Network member organisations to bring the collective view aim and strategies of the Network.
As a disabled activist I can bring my own lived experience and analysis, but the key role is to bring the shared views of the DPO Network to the discussions. Each of us has membership of one of the five national DPOs and
have a clear analysis on that. However, in representing the DPO Network it is not just to bring our own national DPO view, it is about bringing our shared agreed views to the table.
To bring the voice of disabled people to policy spaces: “Nothing about us without us”.
Advocate for policies that promote positive change for all disabled people rather than advocate for individual needs.
Holding Policy Makers to account: Seek transparency in the delivery and effective monitoring of services.
Bring information (report) back to the DPO Network meetings to inform DPO members.

Preparation: what do I need to do as a DPO Network representative?

Where possible, DPO Network representatives will take the time to take the representative role and responsibility seriously: this means attends meetings, reads minutes, agenda and so on in advance.
A DPO Network representative is ultimately there to bring the collective voice to and from the meetings.
If there are issues to be negotiated, the DPO Network representative is trusted to bring our collective position to the discussion and negotiate on agreed principles.

What supports will I get from the DPO Network?

Ideally, the DPO Network will develop ways to support each representative before and after meetings: including, spaces to discuss the agenda in advance or issues arising from each meeting.
In the absence of a clear DPO Network policy or position, the Network will endeavour will create a discussion space (on Zoom or through an email thread) working group to support the representative. This will allow DPO Network members the time and space to develop a DPO Network position, and also act as a sounding board for how the DPO Network representative negotiates those discussions. This could also include peer supports before/after meetings as well as spaces to plan and develop strategies on bringing issues to the table, and spaces to reflect on what has happened.
Where possible, DPO Network members will provide policy supports in terms of position papers and links to DPO network discussions.