Captain of the school Parents and Friends Committee? Here’s 5 Tips for Successful Navigation

Cheese and crackers to the ready. Waiting to chair my first Parent and Friends Committee meeting.

This week, I took on the role of chairing my first Parents and Friends Committee meeting at my kids' school.

Despite being a school parent for seven years, my involvement in committee activities has been minimal until now. While I've been a part of this committee since 2022, I've maintained a low profile, contributing here and there at events like sausage sizzles or being on the door at the school disco. I’ve intentionally avoided too much involvement to allow my daughters the space to establish their own identities and connections at school, without my influence.

However, the call to leadership eventually resonated with me. Witnessing the impressive parents, predominantly mums (where are the dads?), with great ideas and achievements to date, I recognised that my skills could contribute to guiding the committee.

So, I find myself stepping into the shoes of a leader, entrusted with steering the Parents and Friends Committee. Metaphorically speaking, I’m the captain of this ship.

However, unlike a ship's captain, the Chair of a Parents and Friends Committee doesn't require specific qualifications or a license to operate! I am confident that many enthusiastic parents globally step forward for roles in which they have no prior experience. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to committees navigating through challenging waters.

Not in my case, though. Boarding the committee boat with a confident pirate-like swagger, I bring decades of experience in engaging people in decision-making. Facilitating meetings is my professional forte. I’ve run a successful professional consultancy business for years doing exactly this kind of work.

This will surely be a breeze, right?

Don’t be so sure, Becky!

Chairing my first meeting of 12 parents was definitely a success, with productive discussions, decisions, and assigned tasks. But it was definitely not without challenges.

And I figure that if someone with decades worth of professional facilitation experience found it challenging, others in similar roles are likely face similar hurdles.

In a diverse community of parents, reaching consensus on fundraisers and social activities for 12 or more individuals is not always straightforward. It's akin to having a compass for a map that doesn't precisely match the terrain.

So, as I start my journey into uncharted Parents & Friends Committee territory, here are my tips so far for anyone taking on a leadership position, based on my initial experiences.

1) Chart a clear course with a well-defined agenda

A clear meeting agenda serves as our guiding star in the unpredictable sea of discussions among parents. It keeps everyone on course, preventing us from getting lost in the fog of conversations that can easily veer off track. And there’s something about parents that makes this a high likelihood!

2) Stick to the allocated meeting time

Time is crucial for busy parents. Sticking to the allotted time is not just respectful, but essential. Parents come from long workdays and often still have bath and bedtime duties awaiting them at home. If committee members know that meetings will start on time, and end when they are meant to end, they are far more likely to keep attending.

3) Celebrate and include everyone who’s onboard

Identify the diverse skills among your crew, from big thinkers with grand ideas to those ready to tackle hands-on tasks. Acknowledge these unique strengths to keep the committee a dynamic force steering in the right direction. Embracing inclusivity is vital, especially in a school with a broad age range, ensuring every voice influences decision-making currents. I started the meeting by simply asking each member to share the superpower that they brought to the committee. Not only did this break the ice and create plenty of laughter, but it enabled me to get an overview of each members strengths and interests.

Also consider offering an online option for committee members to dial in. This accommodates various schedules and enhances accessibility, allowing everyone to contribute, regardless of their physical presence.

4) Reach out to your crew to build personal connections

Building personal connections is the compass for a comfortable journey. Reach out to members individually, understanding their concerns or history with the committee. I’ve found already that fostering these one-to-one relationships creates a more connected and supportive committee. Some committee members contacted me before the meeting to introduce themselves and share their thoughts. I made sure I touched base with the same members after the meeting to check in to see how they felt it went.

5) All hands on deck

Being the chair involves finding a balance between not shouldering all responsibilities and being ready to contribute when needed. Leading by doing is imperative when it comes to Parent and Friends Committees. In this team environment, where everyone is volunteering on a level playing field, a willingness to roll up your sleeves is critical. Leadership, in this context, speaks through action.

If you're navigating a similar path, share this post and tell us about your journey. Together, let's strive for success in creating vibrant school communities!