Ontario ARC Membership

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS!

Membership brings people together who share a common goal — improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. Membership fulfills many needs, including advocacy
efforts, public awareness, volunteers for the agency, and financial support. Membership in Ontario ARC is open to all individuals who are interested in the agency’s mission and vision for people with developmental disabilities.

As membership increases so does Ontario ARC’s voice and strength on local and state levels. Membership gives the agency, through NYSARC, Inc., the voice it needs to influence decisions made by state legislators and policymakers by effectively advocating on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP ENABLES ONTARIO ARC TO:
· Fund programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.
· Provide advocacy to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families through state legislation and policy.
· Provide advocacy for people with developmental disabilities in your local community.
· Provide a base of volunteers for agency involvement.
· Inform and educate the public at large about people with developmental disabilities. Awareness is the first step in creating society-wide acceptance and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.
· Bring people together who share our mission and vision.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF ONTARIO ARC INCLUDE:
· Membership in NYSARC, Inc., the largest not-for-profit organization in the state (75,000 members statewide) for families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Includes access to numerous resources and materials and a Legislative Action Center. (www.nysarc.org).
· Membership in the national organization, The Arc US, which also offers resource materials, in addition to the Legislative Action Center (http://www.capwiz.com/thearc/state/main/?state=NY) for advocacy efforts.
· Opportunities to contribute time and talent through volunteerism.
· Access to NYSARC’s Guardianship and Trust programs.
· Receipt of Ontario ARC’s newsletter, ARC Notes, with up to date information concerning the agency.
· Access to Ontario ARC’s website, www.ontarioarc.org, for resources and an interactive BLOG for up-to-date information.

HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF ONTARIO ARC?
Membership in Ontario ARC automatically makes you a member of NYSARC, Inc. and The Arc U.S. Please use the membership form that came with this packet, call us at 585-394-7500 or email dauria@ontarioarc.org to join in our membership today!