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Poll members for their "Goldilocks" time, location and meeting cadence. Schedules will change, but consistent meetings will be more likely to be honored.  (And send reminders!)

- Big Thought

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Keep a running agenda and add notes in real time so members can stay current, plus all pertinent information is at one link.

- Big Thought

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Bonding opportunities - For example, kick off with a longer meeting that provides opportunities for colleagues to intentionally connect with each other, with a summer theme. (What was your favorite summer activity as a child?)

Incorporate SEL signature practices into meetings, such as a brief warm welcome question at the top, and a one-word takeaway from each participant at the end.

Food - for in-person meetings have snacks & beverages available.

- Big Thought

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Opportunities for Learning from Experts & Peers

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Opportunities for Learning from Experts & Peers

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Districts commented how valuable the Expert / Peer Learning conversations were, when veteran district leads and researchers were invited to share their experiences. This could entice SC members to engage in the LC.

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Organize sub-committees or working teams to focus members' time and effort and optimize their skills & expertise.

- Katie

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Say “thank you” a LOT.
Recognize the contributions of members/departments.
Acknowledge accomplishments of members.
Highlight program successes or progress milestones (large and small) and how the work of the committee helped make those successes possible.
Plan culminating activity to celebrate program completion/success. Use this as a time to express appreciation, reflect, and continue building community among team members.

This creates a sense of momentum, builds good will, and inspires group members to continue and augment their support.

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Develop a communications schedule and practice that demonstrates respect for members’ time

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Develop a communications schedule and practice that demonstrates respect for members’ time

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Keep group meetings as short as possible.
Conduct individual conversations between/before meetings if there is a need to spend more time on a specific topic that does not require the full group’s attention.
Enter meetings equipped with info from your individual conversations, ready to provide concise updates and engage the group in discussion about items that require cross-departmental coordination — that which cannot be determined or decided in individual communications.
Every meeting should build upon the last without redundancy, except brief reminders to refresh memories and set the stage for the discussion to come.
Do as much thinking and drafting of ideas, possibilities and solutions as possible in preparation for meetings (versus asking very open ended questions like “what do you think we should do?”, prepare thoughts/documentation that provides options as a starting point, for the group to respond to).
Conclude every meeting by recapping key points discussed that need to be addressed, and clear next steps (and person(s) responsible) for follow up.

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Consider what you know (or don’t know) about each individual’s preferred communication style, schedule, attention span at meetings, and focus in their district role. Prepare a brief script to invite members. Start with an email, and be prepared to follow up with a call or in-person drop-in within a day or two if no response. First line of email should contain the ask, then provide the items listed in Engagement and Onboarding note, then conclude by recapping the ask with a specific date by which you need an answer.

If the person is high level and very busy, offer the option of designating the best representative for this initiative from their department, including them as “optional” on invites, and reaching out to them directly if/when you need something specific from them.

Be concise. Full email should ideally not exceed one email screen length. This can be your script for inviting via conversations as well.

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Create & Encourage Brave Spaces for "Rumbling" as a Committee

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Create & Encourage Brave Spaces for "Rumbling" as a Committee

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I'm a big fan of Brené Brown's Dare to Lead work, and specifically around creating brave spaces to "rumble" as a team--excellent ties to how adults can demonstrate SEL skills!

A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and, as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard. (excerpt from
Let's Rumble)

Additional Resources:
Dare to Lead Downloads

Submitted By:
Monica Armendariz
TLA

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Knowledge is only rumor until it lives in the bones.
- Asaro Tribe

If you're reading Dare to Lead, you know that courage-building requires serious practice. So for anyone who wants to put the book further into action as you read, we've developed a Read-Along Workbook and a Dare to Lead Glossary.

We also know that we all need constant reminders to continue practicing, so below you'll find our favorite quotes and concepts as art pics and downloads.

Workbook & Glossary

More Resources

Downloadable Art

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Dare to Lead Workbook, Art Pics, Glossary

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A collection of Dare to Lead downloads including a read-along workbook, glossary, art pics, and the list of values.

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Ensure the committee is clear on its purpose, guiding principles/values, and methods for organizing itself. Create clear group agreements for "being" and "doing" with each other, which might emphasize decision-making processes and accountability measures.

Resource: Liberating Structures Purpose to Practice framework

Submitted By:
Monica Armendariz
TLA

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Invite and include diverse types of committee members who have different roles, perspectives, race and cultural backgrounds that represent the populations being served.  Actively seek out diverse identities, opinions, perspectives and lived experience within the broader districts community.

Related to this: Be mindful of power dynamics and decision-making structures that support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for committee members

Submitted By:
Monica Armendariz
TLA

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Really think through who on your planning team should participate in each learning community workshop - bring in different team members to ensure you have the right people in the room learning along with you and ready to make planning decision based on evidence and best practices. Help those team members prioritize this learning and connection to help lighten the load across the team.

- Ryan

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Engagement & Onboarding: Provide clarity on the ask 

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Engagement & Onboarding: Provide clarity on the ask 

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Step into their shoes to consider what members need to know to remain committed.

For instance
- What is the vision for the summer program and role of the Steering Committee? Why is this critical for our students and families?
- Why am I being asked to join the Steering Committee?
- What is the time commitment and responsibilities associated with joining? *This requires advance planning.
- How does the Steering Committee / summer program related advance their work?

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Meeting Management: Share organized agendas in advance 

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Meeting Management: Share organized agendas in advance 

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Include
- Clear objectives tied to larger strategic plan and planning timeline
- Linked reference materials and guiding questions for consideration in advance