Growing Your Group: Serving on Groups that Make Decisions

Joining decision-making groups is an important way for parents to have a voice and improve the lives of children and families. This webinar series will prepare and empower users to successfully serve on a group. You can make a difference!  Parents will be able to:

​Use these tools to train alone, or in groups in order to gain strategies to confidently, and actively participate in decision making groups.

Link to Additional Resources

L ike many parent groups, the Collingswood Educational Advocacy Group [CEAG) was formed out of the need to address an emerging issue in the Collingswood Public School district. However, unlike many groups born in controversy, the CEAG is still going strong even after the issue has been resolved. From their experience in 2016, the parents realized the importance of parent leadership and engagement when it comes to improving programs and practices in the district.

The group is inclusive being made up of not only public school parents (both general and special education), but also home-school parents and other interested community stakeholders. The group uses a shared leadership model where there are no defined leadership roles, but each member contributes to running the group based on individual talents and strengths. “Kate” runs the Facebook page and organized most of the meetings, while “Jen” created and monitors the CEAG website . When there is data to be collected, the group knows that “Rhodes” will take the lead. Everyone plays a role. This way, the responsibility for the group’s operation belongs to everyone. Groups that depend on only one or two people will typically fail when those people leave and/or burn out. Shared leadership promotes ownership among members and leads to sustainability. 

In its brief two years, the group has had quite a few accomplishments.

At the beginning of the school year the group distributes an assessment survey to determine their goals for the year.

Held a candidate forum before the school elections so parents could get to know the candidates. 

Advocated against building a new stadium that many people thought hadn’t been researched well enough

Pressured the School Board to allow the group to live stream the meetings.

Most importantly, since forming, the group has had two members run for the school board (see accompanying photo), one of which was ultimately elected.  Ultimately to have a real effect on policy, parent leaders must have a seat at the table in decision making groups.

As Parent Leader, Kate Delaney put it, “The watchdog connection between the board and the community, help people advocate more directly.” Indeed, the Collingswood Educational Advocacy Group is a model of share leadership and parent engagement that works to bring positive change to their district.

Contact Parent Groups in Your District