One of the most important ways that HIV service organizations get input from consumers is through a Client/Consumer/Patient Advisory Board (CAB).  The main purpose of a CAB is to provide consumers’ perspectives to the provider concerning programs, policies, direct services, and quality improvement.  The CAB represents the community in making sure programs are carried out in a way that best meets consumers’ needs.  Most importantly, the CAB is the means by which providers, consumers, and the community communicate with each other.  Below are a variety of resources that consumers can use to help create a CAB, enhance participation on a CAB, improve a CAB’s functioning, and generally improve communication among CAB members, and between providers and the people whom they serve.