Principles of VMA

Principles of Vela Microboards Australia

Vela Microboards Australia has developed a set of guiding principles.

These are based on the principles of Vela Microboards Association, Canada and were developed in July 2007 as part of a retreat weekend involving members of VMAus and Linda Perry from VMA Canada. The steering committee of VMAus endorsed these principles in August 2008.

All members are committed to applying these principles in the formation of individual microboards and the Vela Microboards Australia. The application of these principles has also formed the basis for a series of workshops, intended to assist families who are interested in developing their own microboards.

All microboards facilitated by Vela Microboard Australia use the following principles as their building blocks for development.

Microboard members must have a personal, unpaid relationship with the person for whom the Microboard is created.

All people are assumed to have the capacity for self-determination. This capacity will be acknowledged, respected, and demonstrated in all dealings of the Microboard.

All decisions made by a Microboard will demonstrate regard for the person’s safety, comfort, and dignity.

The more variables there are in a person’s life, the more important it is that the support/services are customised and individualised.

All Microboard members will conduct their board business in the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and collaboration.

All paid services developed and/or contracted by the Microboard are customised and individualised not just based on availability.

Microboards will only negotiate contracts with people and/or agencies able to demonstrate a proven ability to provide services as identified by the Microboard. Their primary relationship is with the person. These services will be person centred and customised.

People who work through the Microboard are not “attached” to the settings in which the person lives, works, volunteers, or recreates.

Daring to Dream