THE LAB NETWORK BOARD of MANAGEMENT – VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE

We are currently seeking volunteer board members with expertise in the separate areas of Intellectual property/commercial law, fundraising/grant application preparation

The Lab Network Board of Management is seeking expressions of interest to fill several vacant positions. Expertise in either of these legal or fundraising areas, especially in the technology or disability services sectors will be highly valued.

About The Lab and The Lab Network
The Lab is an after-school technology and social club for 10–21-year-old autistic young people who love computers and social gaming. The Lab is a not-for-profit service that operates in a range of environments including community health centres, local libraries, disability service providers and other low-cost community venues. The Lab is a registered charity with DGR status.

The Lab has been highly successful since 2011 in supporting young people across Australia to develop important interpersonal friendship and social skills through doing what they love in the company of peers and supportive technology mentors.

Social isolation can create significant barriers to education and career opportunities for autistic young people. The Lab aims to provide a supportive environment that encourages skill and social engagement through fun and shared interests.

The Lab is a social experience and not a structured educational or clinical activity. Mentors are an essential element of The Lab model, they guide, support and encourage engagement rather than teach or counsel. Sessions are social rather than clinical in nature. The Lab is a participant led activity and this is an important element of its success.

The Lab Network Board

The Lab Network is the administrative body that supports the almost 30 venues around Australia delivering The Lab model. The mission of The Lab Network board’s is to provide the organisation with the necessary technical and administrative resources to support the successful establishment and ongoing viability of local Labs. To this end the Board is involved in developing strategies and policies that will achieve financial sustainability and administrative viability for Labs into the future. The Board currently meets once a month though sub-committees sometimes schedule additional meetings.