The SILC invites interested Iowans, both with and without disabilities, from across the state, to apply to be considered for appointment to the SILC by the Governor.

The Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is a Governor-appointed Council. The SILC recruits Iowans annually to apply to be considered for Governor appointment to the SILC.

The Council has set a PRIORITY to try and find young adults, who have a disability, ages 18-30, to apply to be a SILC Council Member so that we may begin developing young adult leadership in the Independent Living Movement. However, all interested individuals, with or without a disability, ages 18 and over, are encouraged to apply.

We encourage people to apply who have a PASSION for working on independent living issues, and who are willing to volunteer their time to attend and participate in four quarterly Council Meetings, as well as participate on at least one committee that meets via ZOOM either monthly or every other month.

These are VOLUNTEER positions that are appointed by the Governor. Applications must be received by March 31st of each year in order to be considered for Governor-appointment.

BEFORE APPLYING: Please review Council Member job description & time commitment below as well as dates and times of Council Meetings to ensure that you can commit to these requirements. Please visit the About Page to familiarize yourself with the Mission and more about the SILC.

Download the Word document of the Gubernatorial Appointment Resume below, complete it, save it, and then e-mail it to BOTH Molly Foley and Dawn Francis at molly.foley@iowa.gov and dawn@iowasilc.org.

We recommend you put in as much narrative as you can in the application that describes why you want to be appointed to the SILC Council, and what skills and experience you feel you can bring to the Council to help further our mission.

You are welcome to attach additional documents, such as your resume and any additional information you would like to share with us.

Go to the State of Iowa’s Talent Bank website to apply online.

1. Click “Apply to This Board” from the Iowa Talent Bank Website
2. Click “Create Account” for first time visitors or “Login” if you have used website before. Be sure to write down your password somewhere safe so you can access the site again.
3. At the end of the online application there is a place that allows you to upload additional documents, please upload a statement on:

• • Why you want to be appointed to the SILC
  • What you feel you can bring to the SILC to further the mission of building a stronger voice for Iowans with disabilities.

This really helps both the Governor’s staff and the SILC Outreach Committee to know more about you. The website does not have a specific place for you to put this as this application website is a generic application for all Boards and Councils, and is not specific to the SILC. This statement can be in either a Word document or a PDF document.

You are welcome to upload additional documents, such as your resume and any additional information you would like to share with us.

The SILC Executive Director will forward all applications to the Governor’s office.

The SILC Outreach Committee will review all applications in terms of candidates meeting federal requirements for SILC composition, and will take into consideration what the Candidate describes in the narrative section of the application as to why they would like to be appointed to the SILC. The Outreach Committee will then present a roster of recommended candidates to the full SILC Council to approve at the May SILC meeting.

The SILC Executive Director then meets with the Governor’s staff to go over the recommendations with them.

The Governor makes the final decision as to who is appointed to the SILC Council. The Governor’s Office usually makes all appointments by the first week of July.

Please keep in mind that we can train you on Council Member responsibilities, so you do not need to have experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Participate actively in Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) meetings and activities.
2. Work actively on at least one committee or work team of the SILC.
3. Facilitate development of new independent living leaders within the state.
4. Assist in the development of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

VALUES DESIRED

1. Commitment to the issue of “consumer control,” meaning that people with disabilities should have control over their lives and decision-making.
2. Belief in principles of equal access and equal opportunity.
3. Commitment to full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of society.
4. Possession of honesty, integrity, and respect for the values of others.
5. Possession of a strong personal code of ethics, including maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflict of interest, and avoiding self-dealing.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Knowledge and/or experience with teamwork.
2. Knowledge and/or experience with independent living.
3. Knowledge and/or experience in state and federal advocacy, fundraising, public relations, program development, or other activities that will help promote the SILC mission.

ESTIMATED TIME COMMITTMENT (excluding travel time)

15 hours–3 In-Person SILC Meetings from 10 am to 3 pm
4 hours–1 Teleconference SILC Meeting from 10 am to 2 pm
8 hours–reading-preparation in advance for SILC meetings-2 hours/meeting
18 hours–teleconferences/reading/prep for committee meetings
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45 Hours TOTAL ANNUALLY

For more information on the Iowa SILC and Independent Living, please visit the other areas of this website. You may also contact the SILC Executive Director, Dawn Francis, via e-mail at dawn@iowasilc.org.

For those Council Members who live more than an hour from Des Moines, the SILC can provide, and will make reservations and pay for, a hotel room the night before the meeting. The SILC will reimburse members for mileage and a meal to travel to Des Moines the day before the Council Meeting, and these are reimbursed at the allowable State Rate. The SILC will also make reservations and pay for the hotel room for a Personal Assistant (PA)/Driver, if needed, and will provide reimbursement for the hours a PA/Driver works for you at a rate of $15 per hour. Free breakfast is provided at the hotel.

For all other Council Members who do not require a hotel, the SILC will reimburse for mileage to attend the meeting, provide lunch at the Council Meeting, and provide reimbursement for the hours worked for a PA/Driver, if one is needed, at a rate of $15 per hour. All reimbursements are subject to the State allowable rates, and the rates set by the SILC Council.

All SILC Council Meetings are accessible, and Council Members will be provided with accessible documents and interpreters as needed and requested. Please note that needed accommodations for SILC meetings and committee meetings need to be discussed with the SILC Executive Director at least 3 weeks before those meetings so that she can arrange for the needed accommodations.