As the last three months of school are upon us, school council officers who are poised to move on from their positions begin thinking about how they can make the transition a positive one. A really good leader will leave behind a parent council that is positive and strong. An exiting chair will set forth a plan to move ahead with the goals that have been set and be ready to explore new initiatives.
Often it is with mixed feelings that a committed parent leader moves on from the chair position on a school council. How you have interacted with the group while you were in your role and the role you hope to play once you leave will greatly affect how you transition.
Reasons for parent council chair retirement
There are many reasons that a chair decides to transition from the chair position including:
- Imposed term lists set by council by-laws
- Your child is moving from elementary to secondary or from secondary to post secondary
- You quit over a dispute on an issue that the council has dealt with
- You decide you are not able to commit the time you have been able to in the past
As we begin to transition, it is helpful to remember the reason that we began volunteering in the first place. For most of us, we began our journey with a desire to play a role in improving the educational experience for our children and for all the children in the school. Becoming a leader on a parent council gives a parent the opportunity to exercise their leadership skills. It also provides an opportunity to make significant strides in advocating for the needs of the students while increasing communication skills between school and home.
Transitioning
To transition effectively it is a good idea to work with others who are interested in playing a leadership role in the next school year. It is beneficial to educate them on the responsibilities that the position requires. In addition, the last few months gives an opportunity for a chair to bring the whole council up to date on any matters being considered at this time. Creating a plan with your council for next year will help the group get off to a good start.
A chair transitioning should prepare for the election process for the upcoming school year by completing the Annual Report which is required under Reg. 612. If your group has done any fundraising, a financial report is required as well. Your school board may require other reports in addition to those required through the Regulation. Being prepared to wrap things up in good order will make you feel more satisfied as you transition.
Passing the Torch
As the exiting chair, your experience is important to the parent council. You know what worked and what didn’t and hopefully you have played a strategic role in planning events and increasing parent engagement. You likely facilitated resolving conflicts and guided the council away from controversy in their decision making. An important part of transitioning is passing this experience on. Encourage council members to maintain and welcome new members to the council. You may want to write some personal notes on specific items which the new chair may face when they take over next year.
Leaving your role as the chair can be a positive experience. If your child has moved on to the next school level, you may wish to continue your relationship with the council as a community member. The key to staying involved is respecting the new council and their leaders. Remember to encourage them to explore new ideas while carrying on the good work of previous councils.
And from one parent to another – thank you for your service!
Remember to share
Like this article? Be sure to share it with other parents and school councils. Use the share buttons above and below this article. Find more articles like this one in our monthly e-newsletter. Be sure to subscribe to it by clicking here.
