As an educator, you may have to interact with school board members from time to time. Whether you want to share your achievements, advocate for your students, or seek support for your initiatives, it is important to establish a professional relationship with them. In this article, you will learn some tips on how to do that effectively and respectfully.
Before you reach out to a school board member, do some research on their background, role, and interests. You can find this information on the school district website, social media, or newsletters. Knowing your board will help you tailor your communication to their specific goals, challenges, and priorities. It will also show that you are informed and prepared.
It all comes down to finding common ground. Investigate the background and interest of members. If possible, attend a few meeting and be seen by the members. Make a public comment, write a communication and send an email and ask them for their response, or stay until the meeting ends and approach them and thank them for their service. After some initial contacts in this way, contact them and ask to have coffee or a brief meeting. When Board members put a face to a name, they are more likely to return a call, address you in public, and embrace your presence and ideas. Remember, have fun in your networking that benefits the students, parents and community you are honored to serve.
Understand the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved. Make sure that everyone you interact with also understands those roles and responsibilities. Boards act as a body, and individual board members "have no organization or duties except such as may be assigned to them by the school board as a whole" under VA law. The superintendent is the Board's employee and charged with running the division. It's fine to raise issues with an individual member, but it needs to be done with the understanding that that member will pass them on the the relevant stakeholders. If you're engaging the individual board member in a way that results in an end-run around the superintendent or the full board, you're doing it wrong.
Go to a board meeting. Board members are parents. Most boards are all volunteer or the pay is very limited. Most board member have to be elected. So go to a board meeting. Introduce yourself after. Ask them how you and your organization can help.
Antes de contatar membros do conselho escolar, pesquise sobre seu histórico e interesses. Isso ajuda a adaptar sua comunica??o às prioridades deles, demonstrando preparo e informa??o
Some ways to get started: - Volunteer with the district! All districts / schools need volunteers. - Speak with the principal and teachers to see what their needs are. - Attend board meetings, participate in the meetings. Understand the district challenges to find common ground. - Read board members resumes - see their interests. - Write you school board members, ask for a personal meeting. Invite them to play golf or whatever is their main interests.
School board members are elected officials who represent the community and make decisions that affect the education system. They have a lot of responsibilities and obligations, and may not have much time to spare. Therefore, when you contact them, be respectful and courteous of their schedule and authority. Use appropriate titles and salutations, be concise and clear, and avoid making demands or complaints. Instead, express your appreciation, gratitude, and recognition for their work.
Ao contatar membros do conselho, seja respeitoso, reconhecendo suas responsabilidades. Use títulos apropriados, seja claro e evite exigências. Expressar apre?o por seu trabalho contribui para uma comunica??o eficaz.
To establish a professional relationship with a school board member, you need to build rapport and trust. This means showing genuine interest in them as a person, not just as a decision-maker. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and finding common ground. You can also share some personal stories or anecdotes that relate to your topic, but keep them brief and relevant. Avoid discussing controversial or sensitive issues that may cause conflict or discomfort.
Estabelecer um relacionamento profissional requer interesse genuíno. Fa?a perguntas abertas, ou?a ativamente e compartilhe histórias relevantes, evitando temas polêmicos.
One of the best ways to establish a professional relationship with a school board member is to provide value and feedback. This means offering your expertise, insights, or suggestions that can help them achieve their objectives or solve their problems. You can also share your successes, challenges, or best practices that can inform their policies or actions. Moreover, you can give constructive and positive feedback on their performance or initiatives, and acknowledge their contributions or achievements.
Construa relacionamentos ao oferecer valor e feedback. Compartilhe conhecimentos que possam contribuir para seus objetivos. Dê feedback construtivo e positivo sobre desempenho ou iniciativas.
After you interact with a school board member, don't forget to follow up and maintain contact. You can send a thank-you note, an email, or a phone call to express your appreciation and recap your conversation. You can also invite them to visit your classroom, attend your events, or join your network. Furthermore, you can keep them updated on your progress, outcomes, or impact, and ask for their input or support. However, don't be too persistent or intrusive, and respect their boundaries and preferences.
N?o se esque?a de acompanhar e manter contato após a intera??o. Envie notas de agradecimento, mantenha-os informados sobre seu progresso e convide-os para eventos, respeitando seus limites.
Finally, to establish a professional relationship with a school board member, you need to seek collaboration and partnership. This means finding ways to work together on projects, initiatives, or issues that benefit both parties. You can also look for opportunities to involve them in your activities, programs, or committees, or to support their endeavors, campaigns, or causes. By doing so, you will demonstrate your commitment, cooperation, and leadership, and strengthen your bond with them.
Estabele?a rela??es buscando colabora??o e parceria. Envolva-os em projetos e iniciativas que beneficiem ambos. Mostre comprometimento e coopera??o para fortalecer o vínculo.
As a former school board chairman, I can still remember when I was “cautioned” not to engage with certain individuals, both because of their asks and their demands on my time. I never refused anyone who wanted to meet. But if you wanted to continue to engage, I wanted to feel that my time was appreciated. That meant knowing the role of a BoE and what I could do and what I couldn’t do. It meant respecting the superintendent. It meant offering ideas, not just complaints. And it meant demonstrating some appreciation for my priorities and what I decided to serve on the board. School board is a thankless, frustrating way to serve. Appreciation of all the time requires goes a long way.