Rich Robison's Notes from West Region Alliance Conference
"Building Capacities for Essential Growth: the PTI of Tomorrow"
(Input solicited from directors)
What are some of the most important activities that Parent Centers engage in?
- systems change
- parent support
- information & referral
- connecting/empowering families
- informal mediations w/school districts
- public awareness
- outreach/support to underserved
- advocacy to families and school personnel
- parent mentor training
- resource networking
- fundraising
Which ones are you most comfortable with?
- parent support
- information & referral
- support/outreach to minorities
- fundraising
- informal mediation
- training
- empowering families
- systems change
- peer mentoring
Which ones make you feel uncomfortable?
- Fundraising!!
- constant growth
- public awareness
- limited resources
- personnel/supervision
- data collection/technology
- setting priorities-what doesnąt need to be done
- balancing diverse projects
Which activities are easiest to accomplish?
- parent support
- information & referral
- training
- empowering families
- balancing priorities (sand & rocks analogy)
- peer mentoring
Which activities are the most challenging?
- systems change
- balancing time & responsibilities
- philosophical conflicts
- quality staff supervision
- getting paper work in & done
- demosntrating outcomes
- motivating various constituents
- fair salaries
- acknowledging & supporting staff
- collaborating w/similar agencies
- distance
- recruitment and retention of staff and board
Managing Growth:
- Does it match the mission?
- Does it complement /support existing activity?
- Will it require extra work? Extra staffing?
- More space? Equipment?
- Start up issues
- Assurance of Quality
- Sharing resources
- Responding to expectations of various funding sources
- Build capacity
Administrative structure must keep pace, i.e., indirect rate
Benefits package-specific costs
Includes retirement plan, medical insurance, vacation/personal/sick
Employee assistance program, counseling
- Leadership Passages
vision
training
sharing key information with appropriate staff
Transitions---time & energy
Foundations may fund Executive Director changes
Put stuff in writing i.e. operations manual
Importance of a strong board
