ARTICLE XVII

1.	Purpose. The support groups and the advocacy committee shall promote and support the mission and goals of the association, and shall promote the empowerment of persons with brain injury and family members to the end that they shall have the same opportunity as other members of the association to be elected or appointed to any office or position of the association in a manner commensurate with their ability, dignity, and respect. The support groups and the advocacy committee shall assist the association in developing professional standards, conducting educational conferences and seminars, development of public policy, developing position papers, preparing and developing testimony to the state and national legislative bodies.
2.	Meeting Options. Each support group is autonomous and has the authority to decide whether person(s) with brain injury and family member(s) chose to meet in a combined group or in a separate group. The advocacy committee shall meet at the annual conference or other times when deemed appropriate.
3.	Brain Injury Association of Arkansas Responsibility. The responsibility of the association is to be available to assist with the development of the support groups and to promote participation from interested parties. The association is responsible to collect newsletter articles and to assure individual support groups receive the newsletter. The association assures that support groups and the advocacy committee are aware of opportunities for educational activities (ie, Annual conference). The Brain Injury Association of Arkansas is not financially responsible to any group and shall assure the groups promote the best interest of persons with brain injury.