Advisory Committees

An advisory committee for your program is a best practice that will yield benefits far greater than the necessary maintenance. This is a group of programmatic stakeholders that you assemble and gather for meetings at least twice each year. They will have great ideas, and their inclusion helps you to serve your audience better and gives them buy-in and appreciation for their contribution.

Ideal Advisory Committee Members 

• Regional coordinators (all, preferably)

• A judge at the Affiliate contest

• A volunteer at the Affiliate contest

• A teacher or two (if more than one, recruit from different types, e.g., junior/senior division, public/private/homeschool, new/veteran)

• A professor who trains pre-service teachers in history or social studies methods

• A representative from your contest’s host facility

• Colleague or two from a kindred organization (e.g., humanities council, historical society, public library, archives)

The Committee’s Role

Call it a committee or council and not a board, as the latter term implies governing power that this group does not possess. Be clear with everyone that you are not offering a position of authority over you or your institution. Instead, you are offering an opportunity to contribute perspective as a constituent of your Affiliate program because you value their advice.

The committee members will bring unique perspectives to guide the direction of your program. They also can help with some of the many tasks you must attend throughout the program year, such as recruiting judges, leading teacher workshops and visiting classrooms (if qualified), managing registration for you, managing your contest HQ, identifying and maintaining special prizes, etc.

Meetings

Consider a meeting right before or after your contest and another during the fall or winter months. Use the time to share news from the national program, introduce potential changes to your program or contest, and seek their advice and support.  Be sure to show your appreciation by providing a meal or snack and thanking them afterward. Provide recognition on your website or in the contest program.