Lifetime Membership FAQs
Thank you for your interest in learning more about joining
LifeSPAN as a lifetime member. We hope these Frequently Asked
Questions will answer most of your questions. But if they
don't, please contact us at 425.883.9867 or by
email:
life.span@verizon.net.
How do I join LifeSPAN as a lifetime member?
There are many paths to LifeSPAN, but usually people begin by
attending a LifeSPAN workshop or introductory session. (See
Training for the
current schedule.) Or they might might have talked to someone who is
already involved in LifeSPAN. It's a good idea to have read A
Good Life, by Al Etmanski, too. This book outlines the
philosophy of PLAN (TM) of Canada and LifeSPAN (which is the only
U.S. affiliate of PLAN). Attending the "7 Steps in 7 Sessions"
workshop also helps families begin the process that they will follow
to set up a personal network of support for their family member with
a disability.
If you've done some or most of these things and feel you are
ready to pursue lifetime membership, then the next step is to
complete the Lifetime Membership Application Form and submit it to
the LifeSPAN office with your check for $1000:
What happens next?
The LifeSPAN Board will consider your application and assign a
board mentor to assist you with the next steps of membership. You'll
be asked to complete the Family History Form and identify the
family's Expectations of LifeSPAN:
- Download:
Expectations (Word) or
PDF
This document outlines the family’s wishes for the
future and the services they wish LifeSPAN to provide. It is
reviewed by LifeSPAN board and discussed as needed with
the family.
- LifeSPAN will send you a copy of the Family History Form after
we receive your application.
When your lifetime membership has been approved by the Board,
you'll be contacted to set up a Future Planning Consultation. After
reviewing your Family History and Future Planning Consultation, the
LifeSPAN Facilitator Coordinator will begin the process of hiring a
facilitator to help you establish a network for your family member
with a disability.
back to top
What is the Future Planning Consultation?
The
Future Planning Consultation is a process that helps a family review
the current state of affairs pertaining to the relative with a
disability. It takes about two hours. The Future Planning
Consultation is free
for lifetime members (and is a requirement for their membership).
The Future Planning Consultation uses a structured interview, and the LifeSPAN representatives who
conduct the consultation produce a written report for the family. For lifetime
members, that report is used by the LifeSPAN Facilitator Coordinator
to help begin the process of starting a network for the family
member with a disability.
back to top
Do you have to be a lifetime member to have a Future
Planning Consultation?
No. LifeSPAN offers this service to non-members for $75 and to
Associate Members for $35. To arrange a Future Planning
Consultation, contact the LifeSPAN office 425.883.9867 or by
email
life.span@verizon.net.
Note: For some families, the Future Planning Consultation
provides a good opportunity to consider whether lifetime membership
in LifeSPAN fits into the family's future plans. The cost of the
Future Planning Consultation may be refundable if
the family decides to join as a lifetime member after the
Consultation is
completed.
back to top
How much does it cost to join as a lifetime member?
The initial membership fee is $1000. This fee covers the Future
Planning Consultation and some of the initial meeting times with the
facilitator, once one is hired. The annual membership renewal is
$250.
In addition to the annual membership fee, the family is expected
to pay* for the network facilitation at a rate of $45/hour. The
number of hours needed each year varies depending on the specific
needs and desires of each family. Establishing the network may take
from 20-50 hours during the first year. Facilitating an established
network takes fewer hours, but the exact number will depend on how
frequently the network meets and how often the family wants the
facilitator to meet with the family member with a disability.
LifeSPAN expects families to commit to at least 12 hours per year of
facilitation.
Here is a chart to help you estimate costs:
| |
Membership |
Facilitation |
Year 1
(40 hrs/Facilitation) |
$1000 |
$1800 |
Year 2
(24 hrs/Facilitation) |
$250 |
$1080 |
Year 3
(20 hrs/Facilitation) |
$250 |
$900 |
| etc. |
|
|
*Note: The facilitation fees may be paid for by the family
member with a disability if she has her own income or assets. Kathy
Sellars, a founding LifeSPAN board member, strongly advocates for
families to consider using the person's own assets for this purpose.
She has heard of many cases of families attempting to "save" the
person's money only to find out that the person has amassed so much
savings that she no longer qualifies for much-needed personal
assistance. Do feel free to contact Kathy if you have questions
about this:
kathy@lifespan-wa.org.
Who pays the membership fees when the parents pass away?
Because LifeSPAN intends to make a lifetime commitment to
maintain a network of support for your family member with a
disability, it is crucial that the family arrange for the costs of
the network to be covered after they are deceased. One of the
requirements for lifetime membership in LifeSPAN is for the family
to execute a will setting up a trust for the family
member with a disability, which instructs the Trustee(s) to pay
LifeSPAN for services as required. The family is expected to provide a copy of the relevant
sections of the will to LifeSPAN within one year of applying for
lifetime membership.
Where can I find out about how to get that kind of language
in my will?
Good question. Families in LifeSPAN can offer referrals to
lawyers they have worked with who know how to ensure that the proper
language is included in your will. In addition, you can learn much
more about this topic at the LifeSPAN "Wills and Estates" Workshop.
The current lifetime members in LifeSPAN know first hand that
creating a will can feel like an overwhelming task. However, the
sense of relief once it's written is worth it.
back to top
What if I can't think of anyone who would want to be on my
family member's network?
This is the most important reason to join. You don't have to
figure this out all on your own. LifeSPAN and PLAN have found that
each person -- no matter what the disability -- has the potential
for creating meaningful relationships.
Through the Family History and the Future Planning Consultation,
the LifeSPAN Facilitator Coordinator will help your family begin to
identify potential members for the network. Once the facilitator for
your network is hired, that person will work closely with you to
establish the network. It is part of their job to think creatively
and identify potential network members.
We have never heard of a network that could not attract members
to it. In fact, many families have found that every single person
they invited to join gladly accepted the invitation.
back to top
How severe a disability must a person have to need a
network of support?
In LifeSPAN (and PLAN) we believe that everyone needs a
network of support! For some of us, it's just easier to create that
network of support on our own than it is for others.
LifeSPAN's and PLAN's networks serve people with significant
disabilities and mild disabilities. Some individuals are very
involved in creating their own networks because they are very
capable of doing that. Others depend heavily on their family members
and LifeSPAN members and staff to do the majority of the work in
establishing the network.
The purpose of creating a network is to help ensure "a good life"
for your loved one. Families generally know whether the person can
do it on his own or might need some help. LifeSPAN is here to offer
that help.
back to top |
