VRS_Applications for VRS Community Partners Committee due August 6

Vocational Rehabilitation Services header

Dear Community Partners,

DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services established the Community Partners Committee (CPC) Committee (formerly known as the VRS CRP Advisory Committee) in November 2010. For more than 10 years, the CPC has provided vital strategic advice and consultation to VRS on important topics and issues affecting the shared provision of employment services to Minnesotans with disabilities.

The committee includes 12 community partner representatives who serve within a staggered term membership structure. One third of the community partner representatives complete their 3-year terms on August 31 of each year.

We are pleased to open the application process at this time for those interested in being considered for membership on the VRS Community Partners Committee.

Committee Guidelines

  • Purpose: The purpose of the VRS Community Partners Committee is to provide strategic advice and consultation to DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services on topics and issues affecting the shared provision of employment services to Minnesotans with disabilities. It is a voluntary, advisory committee.
  • Terms of membership:
    • Applicants selected in this application cycle - summer 2021 - will serve a three-year term that will run September 1, 2021 through August 30, 2024.
    • Community Partner representatives must be employed by a VRS Community Partner.
    • Applicants must be in management and supervisory positions that directly oversee disability employment services provision.
    • Members will be familiar with their organization’s operation and able to understand the varied challenges of providing services in different locations and service environments in Minnesota.
    • Members should have the full support of their respective organizations to apply and to participate on the advisory committee.
    • Consideration is also given to geographic representation to foster statewide perspective.
    • Members are selected based on individual qualifications rather than an organizational basis. In the event, a member is unable to complete their term of membership, VRS may at its discretion fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the vacated term or leave the vacancy open until the next round of applications occur.
    • Individuals may not serve more than two consecutive terms without a minimum of one year between service terms. Current members eligible and interested in being reappointed for a second term must complete the application form and will be considered within the full pool of applicants.
    • Members must continue to be employed by a VRS Community Partner during their term to be eligible for membership. Exceptions are allowed for short periods of job transition between employments at different VRS Community Partner organizations.
  • Staggered membership structure: Every year, one third (four members) of the VRS Community Partners membership rotate.
  • Committee Meetings:
  • Frequency of meetings: Meetings occur approximately monthly.
  • Day of meetings: Meetings generally occur the 3rd Wednesday of the month with the exception of a combined November/December meeting on the first Wednesday in December.
  • Time and length of meetings: Meetings are approximately 3 hours from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Location of meetings: Meetings will be scheduled virtually in 2021-2022 or we will offer a hybrid virtual/metro in-person option. DEED/VRS is unable to compensate and/or reimburse member expenses.
  • 2021-2022 Scheduled Meetings:
    • September Meeting: September 15, 2021 | 3rd Wednesday | 10:30 – 12:00 (note shorter time)
    • October Meeting: October 20, 2021 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • November/December Meeting: December 1, 2021 | 1st Wednesday to combine November/December meetings | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • January Meeting: January 19, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • February Meeting: February 16, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • March Meeting: March 16, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • April Meeting: April 20, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • May Meeting: May 18, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • June Meeting: June 15, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • July Meeting: July 20, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • August Meeting: August 17, 2022 | 3rd Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Application Instructions

  • If you are able and interested in volunteering to serve within these guidelines, please complete this application form for consideration as a member of the VRS Community Partners Committee.
  • For appointment consideration, completed the application form must be submitted no later than close of business Friday, August 6, 2021.
  • For additional information contact CPC Co-Chairs:

Application Questions

Note that the application form does not allow users to save the form and continue later. The questions in the form are noted below. We encourage applicants to complete their answers elsewhere, then copy and paste into the form.

  • Individual Information
    • Applicant name
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Current position and length in position
    • Organization represented
  • Your Organization Information
    • Rehabilitation services provided / accredited
    • Populations eligible for service and current populations served. Please include any specific cultural competencies and diversity community expertise.
    • Location(s) and geographic area(s) served by organization
    • Size of organization (e.g. # of staff, annual budget, rehabilitation clients served)
  • CPC Specific
    • What qualities and strengths would you bring to the VRS Community Partners Committee?
    • Why do you wish to serve on the CPC?