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ADVISORY BOARD OF THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH

(DRAFT PROPOSAL 2 – approved by unanimous consent July 2, 2008 )

ARTICLE I – NAME:

The name of this board shall be the Advisory Board of the Scholars Academy at Miami Beach Senior High School (“Advisory Board”).

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE:

An advisory board functions in an advisory capacity to the school administration and academy lead teacher.  The advisory board makes recommendations regarding curriculum, business relations, public relations, budget, and student recruitment.  The advisory board also assists with raising funds, recruiting students, securing internships and scholarships, and securing in-kind contributions to the academy program.  Lastly, the advisory board is an integral part of the experiential learning activities for all academy students, bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world.

ARTICLE III – OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

Section 1 – Objectives:

The primary objective of the advisory board is to support the following goals and policies of the academy:

1.    Preparing academy students through coursework and experiential education for success in higher education, their careers, and in life.
2.    Provide internships for academy students.
3.    Provide training and professional development opportunities for teachers.
4.    Soliciting assistance from the business community in funding academy programs.
5.    Developing and evaluating curriculum and student selection procedures.
6.    Advocating on behalf of the academy.

Section 2 – Responsibilities:

1)    Secure necessary funds to support extracurricular academy activities and scholarships.
2)    Secure internships for all eligible academy students.
3)    Secure in-kind contributions to support the academy.
4)    Strengthen public relations for the academy.
5)    Assist in evaluating the rigor, relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum for students to enter selective colleges and universities.
6)    Secure access to professional development activities for academy teachers and the academy lead teacher.
7)    Assist in advisory board and student recruitment.
8)    Provide career exploration experiences for students.
9)    Secure mentoring and shadowing opportunities for students and professional training opportunities and internships for teachers.
10)    Assist in budget development for the academy.
11)    Advocate for the academy to educational, political, civic and business communities.

ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION:

The full advisory board shall meet monthly during the academic year.  The advisory board shall hold a full-board strategic meeting during the month of August, which will include stakeholders from the academy (lead teacher, teachers, principal, district representation, parent representation, as well as members of the broader community).
Full participation in the work of the board is extremely important, and members should notify the board chair or committee chair if they cannot attend a meeting.  The responsibilities of the advisory board shall be divided among the following committees, which may be modified by a majority vote of advisory board members.

Section 1 – Curriculum Committee:

1.    Conduct annual site visits, review curriculum, recommend changes and provide collateral materials to help students connect the curriculum to the “real world”.
2.    Coordinate staff development opportunities.
3.    Work with lead teacher and staff to ensure that rigor and relevance are at the core of all activities.

Section 2 – Business Relations Committee:

1.    Secure internships for all eligible students.
2.    Develop training for new internship providers, supervisors and students.
3.    Locate and evaluate potential internship positions.
4.    Review internships annually to ensure quality.
5.    Provide recognition program for all stakeholders.
6.    Develop career shadowing / mentoring program.
7.    Develop speakers bureau of local professionals.
8.    Manage relationships with business community.

Section 3 – Public Relations / Advocacy Committee:

1.    Develop marketing plan incorporating public relations, promotion and advocacy.
2.    Involve local business interests in marketing plan.
3.    Develop local, regional and national media lists.
4.    Prepare and distribute media materials including press releases.
5.    Invite media to Academy activities.
6.    Assist in promotion of graduation, awards and student competitions.
7.    Provide photo opportunities for press and business partners with students.

Section 4 – Fundraising Committee:

1.    Recommend a financial structure for the advisory board.
2.    Establish fundraising and scholarship goals on an annual basis.
3.    Assist in the organization and implementation of fundraising activities.
4.    Solicit corporate support through personal meetings, professional associations, direct mail or other avenues.
5.    Establish application and selection procedures for scholarship and graduation awards.
6.    Plan appropriate award / graduation / presentation ceremonies with academy lead teacher.

Section 5 – Student Recruitment Committee:

1.    Establish recruiting plan with academy lead teacher.
2.    Plan recruiting events involving students, families, teachers and guidance counselors from local public and private schools.
3.    Organize a speakers bureau to have people available for school recruitment visits, parent conferences, and recruitment assemblies.
4.    Assist in the development of student-friendly recruitment materials (flyers, videos, brochures or other communications materials).

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP:

Section 1 – Members:

1.    There will be between 15-19 members of the advisory board.
2.    The members of the advisory board shall be representatives of local businesses, colleges and universities, community leaders and educators.  Students, parents and academy alumni may also be members.
3.    Members of the advisory board serve as volunteers.
4.    New members shall participate in a new board member orientation, to better understand the academy and the board members’ roles and responsibilities.
5.    The chair of each committee shall serve on the advisory board.

Section 2 – Term of Membership:

1.    Any member may resign from the advisory board by giving written notice to the chairperson.  The resignation will be effective immediately upon receipt of such notice.
2.    Any member of the advisory board who shall fail to attend three advance notice advisory board meetings in any academic year may be asked to resign. Appointment will be for a term of two years, which may be renewed by a majority vote of the members of the advisory board.
3.    Any advisory board member may be asked to resign with good cause by a majority vote of the members of the board.

Section 3 – Membership Requirements:

1.    The selection of members shall be made without respect to race, color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sexual orientation or gender.  The advisory board shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from the business community, the educational community, and the community at large.
2.    Candidates must be nominated by a member in good standing of the advisory board and approved by a majority vote of its members.
3.    Candidates must assist in raising funds for the academy.
4.    Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to solicit internships for academy students.
5.    Candidates must assist in securing in-kind donations that will directly benefit the students in the academy.

Section 4 – Membership Year:

1.    The membership year shall follow the academic year set forth by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, beginning in mid August and ending in early June.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND DUTIES:

Section 1 – Chairperson:

1.    The advisory board shall consist of one chairperson.  The chairperson shall be elected by the members of the advisory board for a term of two years.
2.    The chairperson’s duties shall be those usually pertaining to the office set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order and such other duties as may be prescribed.

Section 2 – Vice-Chairperson:

1.    The advisory board shall consist of one vice-chairperson.  The vice-chairperson shall be elected by the members of the advisory board every two years.
2.    The vice-chairperson’s duties shall be to direct all meetings in the absence of the chairperson to ensure the development and maintenance of a strong and active advisory board.

Section 3 – Secretary:

1.    The advisory board shall consist of one secretary.  The secretary shall be elected by the members of the advisory board every two years.
2.    The secretary shall keep, record and disseminate the minutes of the advisory board meetings.  The secretary shall also keep a current list of advisory board members’ names and contact information.

Section 4 – Treasurer:

1.    The advisory board shall consist of one treasurer.  The treasurer shall be elected by the members of the advisory board every two years.
2.    The treasurer shall be responsible for keeping, and reporting on the financial condition of the academy, typically in concert with the academy lead teacher.  The treasurer shall report the current financial condition of the academy at each board meeting.

Section 5 – Ex Officio Members:

1.    Ex officio members shall consist of state or municipal officials and school district staff, and are non-voting members.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS:

Meetings of the advisory board will be open to the general public.  Individuals who wish to bring new business before the board should contact the chair in advance of the next scheduled meeting.

Section 1 – Quorum:

A simple majority of the advisory board members shall constitute a quorum for conducting advisory board business.

Section 2 – Voting:

Each active member of the advisory board shall be entitled to vote on any issue presented to the advisory board.  Members with conflicts of interest on specific items should recuse themselves from voting.  Measures pass with a simple majority of present, voting members.

Section 3 – Agenda and Minutes:

The secretary will distribute agendas and minutes at least one week prior to the next board meeting.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS:

These by-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed.  New by-laws may be adopted by a majority vote present, voting members of the advisory board at any regular meeting or special meeting.  Members who wish to adopt changes to these by-laws must notify the advisory board at least two weeks in advance.