The Educator's Role in Successful Advisory Committees/Partnerships

Whether working with a local advisory* committee or occupational advisory** committee, or a partnership, the administrator or teacher has an important function to expedite the work of the committee/partnership and to maximize its effectiveness.

The administrator or teacher should assist the chairperson of the local advisory committee - partnership in:

• Providing an overview of vocational education, including its philosophy and goals.
• Informing the committee/partnership about the laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing local advisory committees/partnerships and occupational advisory committees/partnerships.
• Advising the committee/partnership of its functions and responsibilities.
• Providing background information on the institution and its programs
• Making the physical arrangements for meetings, assuring that invitations are mailed, publicity disseminated, etc.
• Assuring that committee/partnership members are properly introduced and made to feel welcome.
• Developing meeting agendas and focusing the work of the committee on items, which will strengthen the vocational education program, and effectively use the time and talents of committee members.
• Assuring that advisory committee/partnership members are properly recognized for their service.
• Assuring that assistance in completing activities is available, as needed, to the committees.

*Local Advisory Committee (General Advisory Committee) works with the system wide program and vocational education

**Occupational Advisory Committee (Craft Committee) works with an individual program area i.e. Trade and Industrial Education, Marketing Education, Agriculture, etc.