Strengthening parent-community member relations on agency boards: comparative case study

Relations between parents of children with developmental disabilities and other community members on agency boards can be difficult to negotiate. In this comparative study of the boards of three community agencies, we examined the forces that influence the quality of parent-community member relations. The results suggest that when differences between groups are acknowledged and respected at the same time that similarities are recognized and valued, board operations are more likely to be successful and focused on providing effective services. The case descriptions included here suggest that an organization's ability to manage the tension between intergroup differences and similarities is influenced by (a) organizational history of intergroup relations, (b) group identification, and (c) organizational practices that bridge group differences. Action implications are discussed.