Organization

Until 2021 we were a volunteer run organization run by patients with ME/CFS and/or fibromyalgia. In 2021, due in part to Long COVID-related demand for our services, our limitations as disabled volunteers prevented us from meeting the needs of our constituents. At that time, we made the decision to hire part-time employees.  They include an Administrative Coordinator, a Referral Services Coordinator, a Disability Services Coordinator, and an independent Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Because those in the community we serve have chronic, disabling health conditions, all our services are provided remotely, and all our staff work remotely. From time to time we have a need for outside support, which we engage through contract. All other work of the Association is performed by volunteers.

We have four classes of volunteer:

• Board members
• Core Team members
• Program volunteers
• Ad-hoc volunteers

The Board is principally engaged in governance, fundraising, strategic planning, and staff/volunteer oversight. The Board produces the Annual Meeting, coordinates activities with national organizations, files our tax returns, and manages payroll. 

The Core Team is comprised of long-term volunteers that serve as a sounding board for ideas and questions regarding our work and its impact. Core Team members have been around the block a few times, so each have their own networks beyond MassME. They use those networks to share information from MassME and provide information to MassME, as appropriate.

Program volunteers are those that make a commitment of six months or more to take on responsibilities that are central to our mission. They provide health care  referrals, disability counseling, run our Sunday Conversations program, facilitate support groups, and assist with social media and web maintenance.

Ad-hoc volunteers are those unable to make a firm commitment of time to the Association but wish to help when they are able. Their work can be as time-limited as attending a single meeting remotely with a state legislator, or as open-ended as creating artwork that adorns our thank you cards to donors. Ad-hoc volunteers also help out, as needed, with the Annual Meeting or other events we may hold throughout the year.