Advocates and Prospective Independent Delegates: We are so excited that you have connected with the Ms. Wheelchair America organization and are interested in learning more about how you can become involved with Ms. Wheelchair America in your state!
The Ms. Wheelchair America organization provides unique opportunities for women who use wheelchairs to impact their communities. As an Independent Delegate, you will have the chance to advocate for the disability community, raise awareness for things that you are passionate about, strengthen your leadership skills, serve as a mentor and role model for future generations, share your life experiences, connect with other people from across the country who also have a disability, and so much more!
The Ms. Wheelchair America organization provides unique opportunities for women who use wheelchairs to impact their communities. As an Independent Delegate, you will have the chance to advocate for the disability community, raise awareness for things that you are passionate about, strengthen your leadership skills, serve as a mentor and role model for future generations, share your life experiences, connect with other people from across the country who also have a disability, and so much more!
The information below is designed to be an overview of the Ms. Wheelchair America organization and the Independent Delegate Process. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Ms. Wheelchair America at director@mswheelchairamerica.org or call 1- 616-840-0717.
Thank you again for your interest in Ms. Wheelchair America, we look forward to connecting with you! Sincerely, The Ms. Wheelchair America Board of Directors
BACKGROUND INFORMATION – How did the Ms. Wheelchair America organization begin?
Ms. Wheelchair America is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that strives to celebrate the advocacy efforts, opportunities, and achievements of women in wheelchairs. The organization has been a constant source of support in the disability community since 1972.
Ms. Wheelchair America first began in Columbus, Ohio when Dr. Philip K. Wood, who devoted his career to working with people with disabilities, began to recognize the immense talent, potential, creativity, and determination in the disability community. As a result, Dr. Wood established Ms. Wheelchair America as a forum for promoting the achievements and accomplishments of women who utilize wheelchairs for mobility, as well as raising awareness for all people with disabilities.
It is important to note that Ms. Wheelchair America is not a beauty pageant. It is, instead, an advocacy-based organization that helps women see their potential, share their accomplishments, and use their experiences to impact their communities.
Through its strong foundation of advocacy, education, and leadership development, Ms. Wheelchair America continues to empower people with disabilities while celebrating all that life has to offer, and working to eliminate the architectural and attitudinal barriers that impact the disability community.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INDEPENDENT DELEGATE?
Within the Ms. Wheelchair America organization, there is a unique opportunity to serve as an Independent Delegate.
The Independent Delegate concept was developed by the Ms. Wheelchair America Board of Directors many years ago as a way to empower more people with disabilities and help the organization grow. Since that time, the role of an Independent Delegate continues to be incredibly impactful and fulfilling for women all across the country.
An Independent Delegate has two primary responsibilities:
– Serve as the titleholder for your state for one year. Throughout your time as a titleholder, you will have the chance to pick your own platform or topic that you would like to raise awareness about, travel your state, spread your message, AND compete in the National Competition!
– Become a State Coordinator after you compete in the National Competition as a titleholder. As a State Coordinator, you build a Ms. Wheelchair Program in your state, and hold an annual competition to crown a new titleholder every year.
Perhaps, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an Independent Delegate is that you have the chance to share your own passions as a titleholder and then you also have the opportunity to empower, encourage, and mentor other women as a coordinator of a Ms. Wheelchair State Program. The following page will take a more in depth look at the roles and responsibilities of an Independent Delegate.
STATE TITLEHOLDER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Your first responsibility as an Independent Delegate is to serve as the titleholder for your state for one year.
Duties during your time as a state titleholder include but are not limited to:
- Develop a platform to raise awareness about the accomplishments of women in wheelchairs as well as all people with disabilities.
- Be a role model for all people with and without disabilities.
- Identify opportunities to meet with school children so they can better understand persons with disabilities. Travel throughout your state.
- Meet with local and state political leaders, particularly the Mayor and the Governor.
- Actively seek speaking engagements, public appearances, and community activities to attend.
- Represent your state at the National Competition.
- Develop your platform and your speech for the National Competition.
- Participate in fundraising activities to meet expenses of attending the National Competition and expenses accrued during your reign.
- Assist in the recruitment of future contestants.
- Communicate with the Independent Delegate Coordinator, Executive Director, and other Ms. Wheelchair America representatives.
- Keep commitments and be on time.
- Be responsible, be courteous, and have FUN!!
INDEPENDENT DELEGATE RESOURCES
Ms. Wheelchair America is committed to supporting its current and former titleholders, coordinators, and Independent Delegates. The organization has a variety of resources in place to assist individuals who are serving as Independent Delegates.
Examples of some of the resources available include:
Each Independent Delegate is assigned a Delegate Coordinator who is an alumna and former titleholder within the Ms. Wheelchair America organization. The Delegate Coordinator will mentor the Independent Delegate throughout their reign. The Delegate Coordinator will also serve as a mentor to the Independent Delegate as they transition into the role of a State Coordinator.
In addition to receiving support from a Delegate Coordinator, the Ms. Wheelchair America Executive Director and Executive Board will also be available to answer questions and provide support as needed.
Following their time as a titleholder, each Independent Delegate will receive a State Coordinator Handbook that includes in-depth resources and information designed to provide further support.
Additional resources such as sponsorship letters are also available to assist Independent Delegates with their fundraising efforts.
If Independent Delegates have questions about the resources available to them, they are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Wheelchair America by calling 1-616-840-0717 or email director@mswheelchairamerica.org.
STATE COORDINATOR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Your second responsibility as an Independent Delegate is to transition into the role of a State Coordinator after you participate in the National Competition during your reign.
Duties during your time as a State Coordinator include but are not limited to:
- Demonstrate a sincere commitment to the Ms. Wheelchair America organization.
- Represent the Ms. Wheelchair America organization with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and courtesy at all times and with all individuals that you come in contact with.
- Be passionate about advocating for or assisting individuals with disabilities.
- Build and develop a state program after participating in the Ms. Wheelchair America National Competition. This includes crowning the next state titleholder and helping to prepare the next state titleholder for her reign.
- After competing at the National Competition, continue to build the Ms. Wheelchair Program in your state and hold a state competition yearly.
- Actively publicize and promote your state program in various ways such as networking, recruiting future contestants, seeking sponsorships for your state program, etc.
- Meet with diverse groups throughout the state, like children and youth, adults, elderly, people of all races and social economic backgrounds, etc.
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