Membership Benefits and Expectations

 

Our mission states: Working collaboratively, PAN builds the capacity and skills of its member organizations, including people with lived experience, to effectively address HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and related communicable diseases and conditions. PAN is made up of 40 organizations providing important supports and services in communities across the province.

We rely on our members to be actively engaged! There is strength in numbers. This is what makes our network effective and collaborative.

And we need to hear from you! This ensures that our work is provincially informed. Member input on needs, issues, challenges and successes drives our work in the present, and shapes our future directions. Members also provide an invaluable perspective on frontline service realities that informs our advocacy with government and other decision makers.

 

What PAN gives to members – what you can expect from us

  • We promote, advocate for, and are committed to, exemplifying and evolving GIPA/MEPA, the Hepatitis C Manifesto and Nothing About Us Without Us principles.
  • We advocate for change and adequate sector funding at provincial and federal levels.*
  • We enhance and represent the community voice on a provincial and national level *
  • We work collaboratively with regional health authorities, the province and the federal government to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the community-based response.
  • We provide leadership training for people with lived experience of HIV (the Positive Leadership Development Institute) and people with lived/living experience of hepatitis C.
  • We facilitate multiple regular meetings for our members and allies that also connects them with health authorities, ministries and funders.
  • We provide training and capacity building programming and informative webinars for frontline staff and volunteers.
  • We co-lead collective activities with the PHSA to magnify the work of the sector provincially and build inter-agency collaborations.
  • We build capacity for evaluation and work towards common indicators that demonstrates the value of our shared work.
  • We foster relationships with researchers and academics, and support community-based research (CBR) that builds community knowledge, contributes to policy analysis, and shapes advocacy.
  • We create weekly E-newsletters and news items documenting community updates and trends in funding, services, research and more.
  • We gather resources on our website for: training and leadership; CBR and Evaluation; Advocacy and Policy; Population and public health; and Organization support, including Indigenous Cultural Safety and peer work.

 

What PAN asks of members – what we expect of you

  • Support and promote voices of people with lived/living experiences (PWLLE). Dedicated support by Executive Directors and senior leadership for the involvement of PWLLE within their organizations and with PAN, so that individuals participating as representatives or delegates at PAN events are fully able to engage.
  • (Required in the bylaws) Complete the annual Members and Allies’ survey. Your input is essential to help PAN as an organization stay relevant and responsive.
  • Provide updates and feedback on regional challenges and successes, in support of our provincial mandate (when available).
  • Participate in collective actions and joint advocacy initiatives (when appropriate).
  • Respect the Group Guidelines and Responsibilities at PAN events and meetings.
  • Send a representative to the (virtual) AGM and related meetings.
  • Recommend candidates for the PAN Board of Directors and support their engagement at the board level (particularly for PWLLE).
  • Promote benefits of PAN membership to other eligible organizations, and support their application.
  • Update us with any organizational changes and contact details.
  • (Required in the bylaws) Renew membership at least every 3 years.