Building Grassroots Support and Citizen Involvement

Building Grassroots Support and Citizen Involvement

Build a Coalition:

• Include the board's philosophy, goals and practices for advocating for education and building local partners in written board policies.
• Seek citizen involvement in decision making.
• Include citizens, elected officials and community leaders on board advisory committees and strategic planning teams.
• Permit public participation at school board meetings.
• Place matters of interest on board meeting agendas.
• Distribute board minutes, school performance reports and other district publications to community partners.
• Publicize the district's Web site.
• Establish and maintain relationships with municipal, county, technical colleges, and other local officials.
• Hold joint meetings with other local government entities to discuss issues of mutual concern.
• Attend local civic organization meetings.
• Conduct tours of your district for community leaders.
• Invite local, state and federal representatives to a school board meeting or community forum.
• Make sure your district is visibly represented at forums, discussions or presentations on issues affecting children.
• Encourage district staff to meet with staff members from other agencies in similar positions.

Local Partners:

• Students
• Teachers and staff
• Parents/Parent Teacher Associations
• Retired school employees
• Local businesses/Chambers of Commerce
• Local news media
• Service and civic groups
• Senior citizens
• Alumni
• Churches/temples
• Law enforcement
• Local government
• Non-profit associations
• Local colleges and universities
• Childcare providers/Private preschools
• Realtors
• Others

School Board Member's Role in Legislative Process

Communicating with Legislators

Working with the Media

Making Advocacy a Habit

How the WASB Can Help