N

ovember 2022

Brim b a n k Dis a b ilit y Ne t w o rk Gro u p

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Purpose:

1.1. The Brimbank Disability Network Group is a community group working collaboratively with

service providers, not-for-profit (NFP) agencies, state government and people living with

disability; to provide information and feedback in meeting the needs of people with

disability in the City of Brimbank.

2. Objectives:

2.1. The Brimbank Disability Network Group will provide a platform in connecting and adding

value to the work being delivered by disability service organisations, state government and

NFP agencies, supporting people with disability in Brimbank by:

•

– involves community members living with disability, disability service

organisations and state government representatives to identify and respond to

opportunities that reflect the need of people with disability.

•

– involves exchange of information that facilitate partnerships, through a

range of mechanisms, including bi-monthly meetings, on-line information e-mails and

guest speakers.

•

– identify and promote opportunities that support partnerships and

increase positive outcomes for people living with disability.

•

– Providing opportunities for members and relevant stakeholders to

showcase and share their programs, projects and initiatives.

3. Membership:

3.1 The Brimbank Disability Network Group membership will be open to people living with

disability, service providers, NFP agencies and council officers.

3.2 Funding will be made available for members of the group who require attendant care,

transport, carer support or an interpreter service. Information on these services will

need to be provided to Strategic Partnerships and Planning Officer.

3.3 The person appointed will be a resident within the City of Brimbank. The Chair and co

Chair will be elected on a four year term in line with Council’s Disability Action Plan and

endorsed by Council.

November 2022

3.3.1 The role of the Chair is to:

•

prepare the meeting agenda in consultation with the Strategic Partnerships

and Planning Officer

•

chair bi-monthly meetings

•

encourage and facilitate group discussion and decision-making

•

co-Chair the Disability Advisory Committee in collaboration with a

Councillor.

3.3.2 The role of co-Chair of the Brimbank Disability Network Group is to support the

role of the Chair and work with the Strategic Partnerships and Planning Officer

in the development of:

•

preparation of agenda items

•

chair meeting when the Chair is not available

•

co-Chair the Disability Advisory Committee when the Chair is not available.

3.4 Meetings will be held bimonthly and the meeting space to be booked by the Strategic

Partnerships and Planning Officer.

3.5 If the Chair or the co-Chair are both unavailable, the Strategic Partnerships and Planning

Officer will provide support on the day.

3.6 The Strategic Partnerships and Planning Officer will be responsible for the distribution of

minutes and forwarding of agenda to members either by e-mail or post. Members are

encouraged to submit items for the agenda; Council will require items and

documentation, one week prior to the meeting date for distribution to members.

4. Brimbank Disability Network Group Procedures

4.1. Meetings

4.1.1.Members will commit themselves to functioning in an environment that creates

and extends opportunities for:

•

respectful and courteous communication

•

open communication remaining supportive and understanding of other members

•

cooperative group discussion and mutual support

•

respectfully sharing knowledge and experience to optimise collaboration,

participation and information sharing

4.1.2.The Brimbank Disability Network Group will seek to:

•

Support, engage, canvass and represent people with disability and other key

disability organisations, not-for-profit (NFP) and disability service supports.

•

Disseminate information to Brimbank Disability Network Group members, NFP

and other relevant agencies in an efficient and timely manner.

November 2022

4.2. Meetings, Minutes and Agendas

The meetings will be coordinated in partnership with the Chair and co-Chair, with

Council’s Strategic Partnerships and Planning Officer.

Minutes will be taken by a Council Officer and distributed to members. Agendas will be

compiled in consultation with members of the Brimbank Disability Network Group in

consultation with the Chair.

Agendas and previous minutes will be distributed within one week prior to the meeting.

4.3. Absences

Members are to advise the Strategic Partnerships Planning Officer if they are unable to

attend.

4.4. Working Groups

The Brimbank Disability Network Group may establish working groups to address

intitiaves that arise from meetings. Membership of the working groups maybe drawn

from the Network Goup, the wider community and council officers. Working groups will

meet as agreed by members and share information back to the Network Group members.

4.5. Meeting Schedule

4.5.1. The Brimbank Disaiblity Network Group will meet bimonthly for two hours.

4.5.2. A schedule of meeting dates will be set annually and sent to members.