An Open Invitation to Join the People in Recovery Advisory Council

It was 2001, and I was attending the IAPSRS (now PRA) conference for the first time.  I was sent to the conference to learn more about recovery and access resources that I could use to enhance my job skills and utilize in my community. I went to the conference looking for resources that I could use to help me in my recovery. I suspect it was the latter that drew my attention to a flyer in my registration materials inviting consumers and consumer advocates to attend the IAPSRS Committee for People in Recovery meeting.

The meeting was promoted as an opportunity to meet committee members and learn more about the committee and ways to get involved. I hadn’t met any of them, but I was familiar with the names of some of the committee members. They were leaders -- important people -- so I knew that the meeting was not meant for people like me and did not attend.

2002 came along, and I found myself again at the conference looking at an invitation to attend the Committee for People in Recovery meeting. I don’t know if it was because I had an additional year of growth in my recovery and career or because I didn’t want to endure another lonely conference experience, but this time I went to the meeting. The committee members were quite friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable. Their passion was evident, and it was that passion that I was drawn to. Near the end of the meeting, one of the committee members announced “we’re here to offer you an open invitation to join our committee.” With my glass is half empty attitude, I immediately thought, “Yeah right, what’s the catch?” With perfect timing, the catch was announced: “the only two requirements are that you be a member of IAPSRS (now PRA) and able to attend monthly meetings.” I said to myself, “I can do that.” Twelve years later, I am still a part of the committee with founding members Peter Ashenden (IL) and Paul Ottenstein (MA) along with Lori Ashcraft (AZ), Anna Christianson (MI), Kathyann Corl (PA), Carmen Lee (CA), Angela Ostholthoff (OH), and Liz Smithhart (AZ).

We are a committee of individuals from across the country with varying backgrounds, experiences, and roles, but we share a steadfast commitment to the advancement of opportunities for persons in recovery both within and beyond the PRA organization. Over the past decade, the committee has conducted surveys, written position papers, reviewed workshop proposals and scholarship applications, hosted events and conducted workshops at the conference, and served as representatives of persons in recovery on various other PRA committees and task forces. Based on this work we do, the PRA Board of Directors has reclassified our committee as the People in Recovery Advisory Council. We continue to meet monthly to assure that the peer perspective remain an integral part of the PRA organization, develop products and resources, and participate in various PRA initiatives and activities.

With additional members, the People in Recovery Advisory Council can do even more. So, just as was offered to us, this article is written to offer you and/or your colleagues an open invitation to join the advisory council. What we’ve learned over the years is that it’s not just an invitation to join a committee; it’s an opportunity to become a part of something bigger than us. It opens many doors personally and professionally, expands networks, fuels passion and compassion, and molds us into better and stronger individuals and advocates.

To join or obtain additional information, email Dr. Renee Kopache or Gregory Morrison at PRA headquarters. Come join us!