The Brian Grant Foundation is looking for leaders with a passion for the Parkinson’s community, fundraising know-how, and strong Oregon/SW Washington connections. Learn more about the requirements for joining our board by reviewing the description below. Email us at info@briangrant.org to learn more.
Purpose of the Board The Brian Grant Foundation (BGF) Board of Directors serves as the organization’s highest leadership body, guiding its mission to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Collectively, the board is responsible for ensuring strong governance, effective stewardship of resources, and the delivery of high-quality programs and services to our community.
Accountability Board members are accountable to the foundation’s constituents, the Parkinson’s community, funders, and partners. This includes: • Advancing BGF’s mission and strategic goals. • Ensuring responsible use of financial, human, and organizational resources. • Maintaining the trust of the community we serve through integrity, transparency, and measurable results.
Authority Individual board members do not have authority to direct or make requests of the executive director or staff, or to speak on behalf of BGF unless given such authority by the board.
Time Commitment 5-10 hours per month (board meetings, preparation, events, other duties as described below)
Term of Office 3 years (unless otherwise determined), term may be renewable by a board vote
Responsibilities Board members are responsible for acting in the best long-term interests of BGF and the community and will bring to their deliberations a broad knowledge, a long-range view and openness to learning.
Expectations of the board as a whole – As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for: • Determining the mission and purposes of the organization • Strategic and organization planning • Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management • Selecting and evaluating the performance of the executive director • Fundraising and resource development • Approving and monitoring BGF’s programs and services • Identifying prospective board members and helping recruit and mentor them • Assessing its own performance as the governing body of BGF
Expectations of individual board members – Each individual board member is expected to: • Know BGF’s mission, policies, programs, and needs • Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements • Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing human resources, financial resources and partnerships necessary for BGF to advance its mission • Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve BGF’s mission • Give a meaningful personal financial donation • Help identify personal connections that can benefit the foundation’s fundraising and reputational standing • Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings • Participate fully in committees when needed • Promote and attend fundraising and organizational events • Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions • Sign an annual Conflict of Interest policy and update it during the year, if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings • Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of BGF.
Qualifications • Knowledge of the community and the service area in which BGF operates • Commitment to BGF’s mission, vision, and strategic directions • Executive-level or equivalent senior leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to guide strategy, oversee resources, and engage stakeholders • Availability of sufficient time to devote to board duties, including meetings, committee work, and events • Commitment to ethical governance, including adherence to legal and fiduciary duties of care and organizational policies • Willingness to actively participate in fundraising and resource development, including making a personally significant financial contribution to BGF annually • Ability to work collaboratively with fellow board members, staff, and volunteers, respecting diverse perspectives and experiences • Commitment to transparency, accountability, and confidentiality in all board matters
Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Vyalev, the first and only subcutaneous infusion of levodopa that has been shown to increase “on” time without dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease. “On” time refers to the period of time when medications are working well and symptoms are controlled. A Phase 3 study of Vyalev showed that the treatment improves “on” time by almost three hours per day compared to oral levodopa/carbidopa.
In a press release from AbbVie, Robert A. Hauser, M.D., MBA, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center at the University of South Florida said, “For too long, the Parkinson’s community has had limited treatment options for advanced disease. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, oral medications are eventually no longer as effective at motor symptom control and surgical treatment may be required. This new, non-surgical regimen provides continuous delivery of levodopa morning, day and night.”
If you’re experiencing “off” time, dyskinesias, or feeling that your medications aren’t adequately controlling your symptoms, it’s worth a discussion with your healthcare provider to determine if Vyalev might be a good option for you. Timing for a patient’s access to Vyalev is dependent on their individual insurance plan. Coverage for Medicare patients is expected in the second half of 2025.
When Parkinson’s medications are working and symptoms are controlled – also known as “On” time – people with the disease feel better and are more able to participate in the activities they enjoy. So when the FDA approves a new drug that extends “Good On” time for people with Parkinson’s, it’s encouraging news for our community.
This week, the FDA approved CREXONT®, a drug developed by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Unlike the well-known treatment carbidopa/levidopa, which is short-acting and can cause fluctuations in symptoms, CREXONT combines immediate-release granules with extended-release pellets to extend “Good On” time for people with Parkinson’s. The result is more “Good On” time with fewer doses than standard immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa.
“The treatment goals for people living with Parkinson’s disease include achieving a more robust duration of benefit per dose of LD, reducing ‘Off’ time, and simplifying dosing regimens. CREXONT’s longer ‘Good On’ time per day and per dose represents a substantial advancement in managing motor symptoms and maintaining more consistent therapeutic effects, which is very encouraging for both patients and the Parkinson’s community,” said Robert A. Hauser, M.D., Professor of Neurology at the University of South Florida and Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center.
Amneal expects to make CREXONT available to patients in the U.S. in September 2024. If you’re experiencing “Off” times when you’re medications are wearing off between doses, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. To learn more about CREXONT, read Amneal’s press release on the company’s website.
These organizations have online and in person classes, specifically tailored for people with Parkinson’s:
The Parkinson’s Fitness Project’s mission is developing physical and online training centers to promote ongoing neurologic health in those with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tribe Wellness LLC offers group exercise programs steeped in evidence-based exercise interventions from the best leading research in physical therapy and exercise science.
The mission of Power for Parkinson’s is to provide free fitness, dance, and singing classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners in the Austin, Texas area and around the world.
The mission of Rock Steady Boxing is to equip our affiliates and empower the coaches to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum.
PWR!Moves is a program of PWR! that includes Parkinson’s-specific exercises that help maintain and restore skills that have deteriorated and can interfere with everyday movements.
Expert recommendations for exercising with Parkinson’s Disease.
