Effective practices for community boards
Community boards are a valuable tool for incorporating community voice into university initiatives. The 91探花has identified key, effective practices in this work, which include:
- Define Purpose and Objectives: Clarify the board鈥檚 function (e.g., advisory, research) and goals, such as informing university strategy, advising on local issues and supporting community engagement.
- Membership Composition: Include diverse representation from internal and external sectors (e.g., schools, nonprofits, Indigenous nations), with clear selection criteria and a manageable board size.
- Operations and Structure: Establish roles, decision-making processes, meeting logistics and communication methods. Consider co-leadership by external members.
- Resourcing: Assign a university contact to coordinate board activities and offer equitable compensation (e.g., honoraria, meals, parking).
- Recognition and Engagement: Celebrate board achievements, encourage participation in community events and create feedback loops to assess effectiveness.
These practices aim to build meaningful, accountable and collaborative university鈥揷ommunity partnerships.