Table Box 3.

 Key roles and responsibilities of a community representative

Roles

Protect the interests of carers, consumers and the community

Present how carers, consumers and the community may feel and think about certain issues

Contribute the consumer or carer experience

Ensure committees recognize community concerns

Report activities of committees to consumers and the community

Responsibilities

Attend regular Network meetings

Bring a carer, consumer or community perspective

Represent collective views, concerns and issues rather than their own person opinions, individual views or interests

Act as two way communication link between the network, health service and broader community

Observe confidentiality requirements of committees, sign a code of conduct and do not speak on behalf of the area health service