Is your school board meeting attendance down? Community members are incredibly busy these days and getting them to tune in to meetings can be difficult. Yet it is an important opportunity for them to have their voices heard, see how decisions are being made, and hear critical discussion.
As a school board, how can you improve your attendance? We have a few ideas,
Get Digital
If you have not yet started livestreaming your meetings, now is the time to do so. Creating accessibility in the digital age is not optional. People expect to be able to stream meetings from wherever they are, whether that is at home serving dinner, watching a kids’ sports game, or driving between activities.
Discuss The Issues
We recommend avoiding centering your meetings around reporting. When you publish your public notice, include a key issue you’ll be discussing at each meeting. Then, do not bog down your time with reports. Let the public know you want to hear from them on the issue. Keep it engaging and interesting, while fulfilling your legal obligations for conduct and reporting.
Come Prepared
Let participants know the topics at hand before the meeting occurs, with plenty of time to prepare for discussion. A good exchange can keep people engaged. As you establish a reputation for being prepared, engaging, and discussing issues that matter to the community, people will be more likely to show up.
Stay Organized
Keep your meeting minutes organized and easily accessible. If someone needs to reference a past decision, it should be a 30 second search, not 10 minutes of silence as your secretary sorts through past notes.
School Boards Can Improve Attendance
While it might take time to shift public perception, school boards can improve attendance through a steadfast commitment to community discussions and accessibility.
Here at Community School Boards of Oregon, we are all about helping school boards improve their function and have their voices heard. Learn more about our mission today.