getting the most from your advisory committee

Getting The Most Getting The Most From Your Advisory From Your Advisory

CommitteeCommittee

Getting The Most Getting The Most From Your Advisory From Your Advisory

CommitteeCommittee

Kevin KeithKevin KeithLocal Program Success SpecialistLocal Program Success Specialist

Northeastern United StatesNortheastern United States

Alabama Summe Conference -- Birmingham

Formation of An Effective Committee

• The Advisory Committee should be representative of the community served by the program– Business/Industry– Production Agriculture– Agricultural Professionals– Agriculture Laborers

‘The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education’ ?!?

As the School District’s Committee…

• Appointed officially by school administrator and/or school board– Develop nominees giving some

options for each open position (generally two to three options of folks who have been asked if their name can be considered).

As the School District’s Committee…

• Each member appointed for one, three year term with a limit of being reappointed once (maximum service 6 years)– No One Wants a Life Sentence– New ideas, input and support is good

for the program

As the School District’s Committee…

• Chair should be selected from those serving on last year of term– Experience, comfort and familiarity with

process

• Chair should meet with administrator rep and department rep prior to meetings to review agenda.

Set Annual Meeting Schedule For Inclusion in

School Calendar• Only special meetings and/or

committee meetings should be set outside school calendar.

• Recommend at least two regular business meetings per year– One causes loss of interest and does

not allow for specified follow- up

Agenda Should Include…

• Curriculum and instructional offerings• Budget recommendations

– Operations– Capital Items

• Initiatives and program changes/special requests– Classroom/Laboratory– SAE– FFA

Operate Meetings Via Parliamentary Procedure

• Members initiate business• Chair assigns responsible parties for

all action items (not school staff, although they should have consultative role) unless part of initiated motion.– Keeps committee involved and limits

overburden on teacher and administrators

Reporting/Recording• Reporting should carry through to

following school board meeting with business introduce to board via committee chair.

• Recording of meeting minutes should take place professionally and be shared with school board/administration prior to next board meeting.

Follow up is key to success

• Assign responsibility:– Chair– Responsible administrator– Specially assigned ‘tail twister’

• Organized and respected committee member.

– Share results with committee (Recorder/Corresponding secretary)

Keys to Success

• Communication• Respect

– Program Staff– School Board/Administration

• Results• Professionalism• Accept and Implement Results

Available Resource• Agriculture Teachers Manual

– Found in any recent edition of:

“Local Program Resource Guide”

Annual CD Rom for LPSLPS SpecialistKevin Keith (kkeith@ffa.org or

317 709 0806)In State Resources