SEAT

The Skills Empowerment and Advocacy Training (SEAT) is a training series developed and led by individuals with developmental disabilities to prepare others to serve on boards, work groups, advisory councils, and commissions. This advocacy training will include tips and tricks for public speaking and effective advocacy. 

This training will support your learning and provide you with tools to take your rightful seat at the tables where decisions are made. As the true meaning of Nothing About Us Without Us indicates, being a part of decisions made at the local, state, and national level is vital. SEAT will provide training and tips to help you feel prepared to make sure that your contribution is included where decisions are made. 

Thank you to our funders: the Kuni Foundation, the Clallam County Developmental Disabilities Program, the Clark County Developmental Disabilities Program, and the Kitsap County Developmental Disabilities Program.

Session Descriptions 

March 6th with Eric Matthes (He/Him)  

SEAT at the Table: Your Journey Starts Here 

Join Eric Matthes as he shares personal and professional tips and skills needed to serve on boards and committees. Eric will take you through his own journey of learning and serving. At the end of this presentation, you are going to feel empowered and excited about what your journey will be! 

March 13th with Daman Wandke  

SEAT at the Table: Board Service on Your Terms 

This session is about helping you decide if board service is right for you, and how to navigate it on your terms. Board service is not about proving your worth; it’s about exercising it. Nothing About Us Without Us is a model of the disability community; in this session we are going to talk about how you can have a voice on the board. 

March 20th with Taylor Crisp (She/Her)

SEAT at the Table: How Boards Work and How to Participate 

In this session, Taylor Crisp will share valuable information about how to effectively serve on a board. From understanding and using the agenda, minutes, and budget, to making motions and voting, this session will provide tips that you can use in your own service on boards, workgroups, and committees. 

March 27th: Panel with Tammy Bowen – Advocacy Support Specialist, Lizzy Johnston (She/They) Advocate/Board Member, Joey Wilson  (He/Him)- Advocate, Danna Summers ( ) – Parent and Council Lead 

SEAT at the Table: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Comes Next 

 In our final session, you will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of our panelists as they have a candid panel discussion about what has worked, and what hasn’t worked in their service on boards, workgroups, and committees, including what you can learn from them to move forward into your next opportunities to serve.