Creating a Staff Committee — What It Is and Why It Worked!
We all have those “rock ideas”—the ones we’re passionate about, that align perfectly with our role, and that we nurture with the hope they’ll eventually catch fire and make a real impact. But sometimes, the best ideas are the ones that catch us by surprise. They start as a simple trial, a “let’s see what happens,” and before you know it, they’ve taken off like wildfire.Creating a staff committee was exactly that kind of idea—and it’s turned out to be one of the top five best initiatives we’ve launched at the BPSF since I started in my role.
What Is a Staff Committee?
At its core, the staff committee is a group made up of one representative from each school building—our foundation cheerleaders. These are the people who stand up at staff meetings to share important updates, such as grant deadlines, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement. They also send follow-up emails to ensure their colleagues stay in the loop.
Why Does It Work?
The success of this idea lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Staff members within a building naturally have more access to each other than we do at the district or foundation level. They share communication channels, bump into each other in hallways, attend the same meetings, and are more attuned to the day-to-day needs of their colleagues.I meet with the committee monthly, as schedules allow. These meetings are an opportunity to review Foundation events, share updates, and—most importantly—listen. We talk about what’s working, what’s not, what their buildings need, and how we can fill gaps and provide meaningful support.
Tailoring the Approach for Larger Districts
For large districts, a full committee with a representative from every building might mean 50+ members. If that’s the case, consider streamlining by creating subcommittees—perhaps one each for elementary, middle, and high school—meeting quarterly to distribute updates and relay feedback from their peers.
Relationship-Building Is Key
I’ve worked intentionally to build strong relationships with each staff committee member. Sometimes that means grabbing lunch together, sending a handwritten note, or recognizing their efforts with a small gift card. These gestures go a long way in building trust and mutual respect.Because of these relationships, our committee members now serve as go-to resources in their buildings. Staff seek them out for help with grant applications, questions about submitting student needs, and general Foundation guidance.
The Ripple Effect
Let’s face it—building strong relationships with every staff member in a district simply isn’t possible. But by cultivating intentional, meaningful connections with a select group, we’ve created a ripple effect that spreads our mission, message, and support farther than we could have imagined.Attached below are sample documents outlining our staff committee’s role, along with examples of the PR we distribute across the district throughout the year.After all, don’t we all need cheerleaders?
