Trails to Success: Working with School Boards on School Wellness Policy

1. Trails to Success: Working with School Boards on School Wellness Policy Jill Hutson The Rede Group

2. Getting started School Policy Change Where am I?

3. Basic Policy Change Structure School Policy • School Boards • School Administrators

4. STEP 1 Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system

5. STEP 1 System ApproachSystems Mapping

6. Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system • Organize support and begin to strategize

7. STEP 2 Organize support • Who are stakeholders? • Nutrition services staff • Health & PE Teachers • Parents • Students • Administrators • SNAP- Ed Coordinators

8. STEP 2 Reach out to potential Supporters • One-on-one meetings • Personal emails • Blast emails • Networking

9. STEP 2 Strategize • How will you approach the situation • Discuss options • Review Options

10. STEP 2 Communication • Make a plan for communication among your group

11. Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system • Organize support and begin to strategize • Do your homework

12. STEP 3 Do your homework • Learn about current policy • Know the issue, inside and out • Know the model policy • Understand the chain of command • Attend School Board meetings • Get to know the school board and their (individual) leanings on school wellness • Understand opposing arguments

13. STEP 3 Allies and Opponents The rule of thirds

14. Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system • Organize support and begin to strategize • Do your homework • Prepare a solid rationale

15. STEP 4 Prepare a Solid Rationale Prepare a solid rationale • Explain why school wellness policies are critical • Speak to cost Find examples/testimonials of other districts

16. Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system • Organize support and begin to strategize • Do your homework • Prepare a solid rationale • Present and pass the policy

17. STEP 5 Present the policy • Get the policy on the School Board agenda • Present to the policy • Pack the room • Alert supporters about the meeting • Select spokes people carefully • Make sure your message is clear and consistent

18. Steps to Working with School Boards • Understand the system • Organize support and begin to strategize • Do your homework • Prepare a solid rationale • Present and pass the policy • Ensure high-compliance

19. Thank you! Jill Hutson Rede Group 503-764-9696 jill.hutson@redegroup.co