School Governance Councils Built to last HPS Principals March 22,2011

The main idea A strong SGC will help to carry and support you and your school. You will have to drag a weak SGC along behind you (and probably rebuild it every year)

Common Sense???? Tips New angles Stuff they forgot to teach in principal school How about a golf lesson? Or a trip to the supermarket? Is this an insult?

Axiom: Not everybody is alike Corollary 1: We are all different Corollary 2: Not everybody is like you (AKA - the big news)

Communication preferences Phone call Snail mail From whom? (What do I deserve?) When? How Much? It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Learning Styles Visual Auditory Kinesthetic

When to meet Before school After school Evening Weekend Always the same day & time This is impossible It doesn’t hurt to ask

What does it say when you meet at a time that is convenient for teachers and school staff but not so good for parents?

Tell me you love me Or at least that you are glad to see me

Everyone has a preferred language Words Gifts Quality time Touch Acts of service

Making meetings work Have you ever been to a bad meeting? (Am I kidding?) Is there any such thing as a good meeting?

Try these ideas Feed your people Take care of their kids Have an action oriented agenda (verbs) available in advance Stay focused on mission Use ground rules Make sure everyone is engaged Give everyone something to do Schedule future meetings Provide timely meeting notes Is it hot in here, or is it me?

Agenda types TOPIC Minutes Budget Building problems Attendance Next meeting ACTION Adopt minutes Discuss, amend, and adopt budget Hear report about recent building problems Brainstorm ideas for improving attendance Schedule next meeting

Ground rule examples Arrive on time Listen when another person is talking No side conversations Read info sent to you before the meeting No texting during the meeting Turn off cell phones Don’t roll your eyes when the principal is talking

Big Tips You don’t have to do everything You don’t have to do everything yourself In fact, it’s better if you don’t

What to do next Ask questions Return to your previously scheduled programming Do some reading 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman How to Make Meetings Work - Doyle & Straus Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision- making - Sam Kaner Successful Site-Based Management - Larry J. Reynolds Rules for Radicals - Saul Alinsky Explore Enneagram Get some help - talk to process coaches

THANKS