Effective school councils are continually seeking responsible volunteers. As part of this process, the school council chair/co-chairs and principal are on the lookout for qualified people from the school community to take on new responsibilities. The following are some strategies for consideration:
- Ensure a welcoming and open school environment
- Invite interested parents to participate, volunteer, attend a council meeting
- Encourage participation from various and diverse cultural groups in your school community
- Host a school council information/get involved event, e.g. high school council can host a barbeque for parents of incoming Grade 9 students in June and share council accomplishments, issues being worked on etc.
- Publicize council’s activities via e-mail, newsletter message, brochures, no-cost ad in local community paper advertising council meeting, etc.
- Provide a list of meeting dates for the coming year
- Provide information on elections, bylaws, decision making and conflict resolution process
- Establish childcare services to assist parents with council attendance; local high school students may look for this opportunity to earn their required 40 hours of Community Involvement. Please note that besides student volunteers, an adult must be present.
- Be explicit about whether participation on committees is expected
- Many companies encourage their employees to be involved in community- related volunteerism; advertising council participation as an excellent way to make a difference by supporting student learning and achievement is an important message for the business and parent community to hear.