Getting The Most From Your Advisory Committee Kevin Keith Local Program Success Specialist Northeastern 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 Superintendents Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education ?!?

As the School Districts 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 Districts 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 Districts 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 LPS LPS Specialist Kevin Keith ) In State Resources