Building an Advisory Board

Contributed by Lori Henry, National Executive Council Advisers, Minnesota

Advisory boards are so vital to Family and Consumer Sciences and our FCCLA chapters.  But how do you start or build a local advisory board?  

When I recruited members to serve on my local advisory board, I began with people I have connections and networks with already. The members who have served on my advisory board have been from our food service department at  my high school, local grocery manager that I do business with, parents of students in my classes, parents of FCCLA members, 1 administrator, 2 student members, county extension person, restaurant manager and community  youth service director.   I have found that a good number for an advisory board is about ten members, more than that it gets difficult to manage and may not be a productive as you need it to be.   They are asked to serve two years, except the student members, some of them have only served one year. 

When deciding how often to meet, I have found that two times a year is adequate.  Once you have your advisory board set up, connect with them and tell them why they are so important to your program.   The local advisory is important for many reasons:  

• they help provide excellent feedback of your courses that you offer or may wish to offer 
• they will look over curriculum and curriculum materials and provide input 
• they provide valuable resources (material, networks and connections with other services, businesses, etc.) to enhance your program
• they have current information in regards to the workforce and areas that relate to Family and Consumer Sciences that are helpful to share with your classes
• they support your program and when you need a positive voice for what you have done or what you plan to do
• they are there to support you in your efforts.   

The advisory board serves as your Family and Consumer Sciences foundation of support and your cheering partner.