Public Engagement Meeting - Feb 24, 2011.

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	Public Engagement Meeting Feb 24, 2011
	On February 24, 2011, the Board of Trustees held a meeting at St. Joseph High School with parents. Trustees and members of the Senior Administration wanted to engage our school communities in the discussion on Adequate, Predictable and Sustainable Funding for Education. The Board is excited about efforts of school councils, parents and staff with respect to the Board’s advocacy initiative. Over 230 parents and school administrators joined the Board in discussions that were vibrant and animated. The Board was overwhelmed not only by the number of suggestions that resulted; they were also impressed by the quality, creativity and viability of the input that was received! The Board will continue to advocate using many of the ideas both as the Board of the Whole and as individual trustees as they carry on with this important work. Attached are the notes from each of the seven groups that were organized by Ward and facilitated by the Ward trustee. Click here for a printable version of the meeting. District-Wide School Council Meeting Summary of Group Discussions by Question/Theme QUESTION ONE: What is the best way you see to get this information out to your school community to ensure maximum participation by your school’s families? (Signed and Back to MLAs) Board Open Houses (Strong) Demonstration of Learning Town Hall Meetings Registration at School social events (concerts, barbeques, dances) Pick up cards at schools and deliver to MLAs To Parents Send home in Friday package (elementary schools) Include with report cards School newsletters Exterior signs Playschools/daycares Involve Students HS and JH School students - letter writing HS student councils Organize students to deliver postcards to MLAs Service projects Involve grandparents Social Media/Web Sites District Portal and Power School Individual School Sites E-mail Blog, Face Book, Twitter School Councils Raise money to pay for stamps School Council Meetings Parishes Church Bulletins Petition to be signed at Mass QUESTION TWO As a faith community, we also work in partnership with the Catholic Church. 70% of the members of the faith community do not have children in school. Any ideas on how to involve this group in our strategic plan? Board Hire a lobbyist Develop a sense of urgency, set dates for return of cards One-Day Blitz Make available MLA contact information Talk to politicians Engage Opposition Focus on students (benefit for) Connect with: CWL K of C Rotary Meet with Members of the Opposition Caritas Catholic Social Services Media Universities, Colleges Daycares Retirement Homes and Senior Organizations Parents Contact MLA Talk to people in your neighbourhood Involve parents with strong business and government ties Students Social Media/Web Blog, Face Book, Twitter School Councils E-mail contacts to this community Parishes Involve Parish Councils Involve Church Volunteers Involve Parish Priest Have trustees speak at end of Mass Catholic Education Sunday One day Blitz (strong) Community League Have information for sign up events, community events Include with newsletters Media Be Aware of pitfalls Community Newspapers Letters to the Editor Press Conference Other Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage Pow Wows QUESTION THREE: Do you have any additional strategies for communicating the need for adequate, predictable and sustainable funding to our government? Board Bulletin Boards throughout City Protest, lobby at Legislature (Public Rally, March) (Strong) Involve other (Catholic) Boards Make it an election issue Lobby MLAs Chain Outreach, personal networks Write a song (Board Continued) U of A Alumni Provincial Campaign Look for source of revenue to buy stamps for postcards Hire Media expert Media TV Radio Keep advertising positive Print Media Letters to the editor, articles, ads Include Postcards with WCR Social Media Face book/Twitter/Blog Staff ATA Conventions