Council members are appointed by the Governor of Alaska. The SILC wants to have a diverse board that reflects the population of Alaska, with one exception, the SILC is required, by federal law, to have a majority of people with disabilities on the council. The Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act (WIOA) states that the majority of the members must have a disability. On the council, there are 11 voting members and two (2) ex-officios. Ex-officios are non-voting members; one person represents the Designated State Entity and the other person represents a state agency that works specifically with people with disabilities.
Applying to the SILC
To apply to be a council member on the SILC, please go to the Office of Boards and Commissions to start the process. The State of Alaska gives more details on how to apply here. If you want more information before applying, then contact Michael.
Some specifics about a term on the Council:
- A term is three (3) years.
- A person can stay on the SILC for two (2) consecutive terms, but then s/he must be off the Council for at least one term (three years).
- Council members are entitled to per-diem when traveling for the SILC.
- Federal law gives the SILC the option to pay council-members a stipend for attending SILC meetings (if uncompensated by employers and/or if unemployed).
- A person can expect to spend 4-5 hours a month on SILC activities, as well as attending SILC meetings of the board.
- There are usually four board meetings each year. The meetings:
- May last 1-3 days.
- May be via teleconference, web-based, or in person.
- Usually occur during the months of 1) September – October 2) November – December, 3) January – February) and 4) May – June.
- Occasionally, there is a meeting in summer as well.
- There are also monthly meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month from Noon – 1 PM.
We are looking for people who are:
- Passionate about the independent living philosophy of consumer control, self-help, and mutual assistance for people with disabilities.
- Supportive of equal access and equal opportunity.
- Committed to the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of society.
- Honest, have integrity, and respect for the values of others.
We strive to reflect the diversity of this state on the council, such as:
- Different regions of the state, urban, rural, and remote.
- Diversity of disabilities – currently seeking representation from those with physical disabilities, sensory, and mental disabilities. (Our council is required to have a majority people with disabilities as council members and as staff).
- An accurate representation of the ethnicities and races that make up Alaska’s population.