Membership Information

Membership: To Qualify as a voting member who helps make decisions on the actions of The Force, virtual or in-person attendance of at least 3 Black empowering community stakeholder group meetings (eg. BMHTF, LACDMH BAH UsCC, AAIMM Initiative, etc) and attendance of two BMHTF led events/workshops/seminars per year and/or supportive planning meetings for The Force outreach and engagement efforts. We will ask for proof of required meetings/events (we keep track of attendance and registration at BMHTF meetings and events, but not other community stakeholder meetings/events). Safe spaces solely for Black persons will be created throughout the work as supplemental support to our community to allow for discussion/topics for us and by us. 

Leadership Structure: 

• Chair 

• Advocacy Vice Chair 

  • All other members are Task Force Voting Members, Participating Members and Contributing Members. All members are participating members until they have met requirements of attendance of at least 3 Black empowering community stakeholder group meetings (eg. BMHTF, LACDMH BAH UsCC, AAIMM Initiative, etc) and attendance of two BMHTF led events/workshops/seminars per year and/or supportive planning meetings for The Force outreach and engagement efforts.  Once they have met the requirements of voting members they will be invited via email to participate in digital surveys in votes for leadership and other important matters. Contributing Members who contribute more that $100,00 per year receive that year’s commemorative Black Mental Health Task Force Pin.

Terms and Duties: Chair position has a four year term, and Vice Chair positions have a two year term before re-elections take place at the last quarterly meeting of the year. Terms are unlimited; unless conflict of interest exists. Process is by majority vote and attendance is necessary for voting parties to participate in the live vote. 

Chair must act as primary lead on leadership meetings between chairs. Chair must engage in networking and fundraising efforts to build capacity of the Black Mental Health Task Force. Chairs report to the Therapeutic Play Foundation Executive Director and Board of Directors for oversight related to operations, funding, reporting, brand management, and service offerings. Advocacy Vice Chair must champion one social advocacy reform cause per term. Chairs must attend Quarterly BMHTF meetings and one leadership meeting per month, support in developing the meeting agendas, and alternating facilitating meetings.

Expectations:

Accountability: Chairs, voting members, and members of the general public must adhere to the Membership Community Guidelines. If Chairs, Vice Chairs, voting members, or members of the general public violate the Membership Community Guidelines, the leadership team has the right to ask that person to be removed from planning meetings or leadership positions. BMH Task Force Chairs and other official members are expected to remain unbiased in their recommendations and decision making. Re-election or stepping down from the position of a Chair or Vice Chair may be necessary in the event that the individual is: (a) not able to make scheduled Chair meetings or minimum community engagement requirements.

Members shall respect the infrastructure of the group and each other as members and refrain from engaging in conflict and disruption of the coalition building focus. Frequent inability to do so may result in removal from the Black Mental Health Task Force. Safe spaces solely for Black persons will be created throughout the work as supplemental support to our community to allow for discussion/topics for us and by us.

3 Ways to Membership.