Anita Cameron is the New Region II Representative for the National Council on Independent Living

It is now official. I have won my bid for Region II Representative for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)!

There were murmurs to that effect as early as last week when an email was sent to NCIL by the sitting Region II Representative, who requested that I assume his final duties, as he would not be able to attend the NCIL Annual Conference. Though surprised and honored that he felt confident enough in my capabilities to make such a request, my attitude was: "Let's wait and see".

The wait is over. Late this afternoon, July 12, 2010, I received word from NCIL informing me that my campaign had ended in success. The public announcement of my victory will take place Monday, July 19th, at the NCIL Annual Conference. While I will assume the final duties of my predecessor during the conference, my own duties will begin effective July 23, 2010. The term lasts for two years.

What does this mean for me? Simply put, Regional Representatives are members of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Independent Living. I am simultaneously performing two very important functions - representing my region, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and helping to shape NCIL policy and direction.

For those of you who have not read my previous article, NCIL (pronounced, "nickel") is a membership organization of independent living centers, state independent living councils, groups, and individuals that advances the rights of people with disabilities and independent living. This is done using consumer-driven, grassroots advocacy. Regional Representatives maintain contact with the NCIL membership in their regions, assist the Board and Committees in forming coalitions in order to further advocacy activities, assist in the recruitment and retention of NCIL members, and disseminates information related to state or regional advocacy initiatives to their regional members.

One major goal of mine is to advance NCIL's advocacy efforts, particularly the passage of the Community Choice Act (H.R. 1670/S. 683). I would like to see Region II, particularly New York, work to get more co-sponsors to sign on to CCA, and am committed to spearheading this effort. Another goal is to stay in close contact with Independent Living Centers in my region in order to learn of their concerns and aspirations so that I can take them back to the NCIL Board for resolution. I am in the unique position of being the only member of the Board who is not a Director of either an independent living center, or of a state independent living council. My perspective is from that of an activist working "in the trenches", and this is the voice and the vision that I bring to the NCIL table.

Looking back, I realize that winning this race was easy. Now, the hard part begins.