Community Education Tool Kit:
Advisory Council — Why are there Councils?

Could community education survive without advisory councils? Perhaps, but it wouldn't be community education.

• There might be adult programs and programs for kids, but it would not be community education.
• The school doors might be open and the gyms and classrooms might be used. but it would not be community education.
• There might be softball teams, typing classes and tap dancing for kids, but it would not be community education.

Community education is more than using the schools for classes and activities, and it is more than the programs and activities it offers.

Community education is people in each community coming together and working together  to make life for all the people in the community richer and fuller and happier.  Community education is as much 'how it happens' as it is 'what happens'.

Community education is the process that assures that when the school doors are open, they are open to everyone in the community. Community education is the process that assures that the classes and activities are designed to meet the important and real needs of the people in the community.

The most viable part of the process of community education is the advisory council. The advisory council is made up of people who are interested in discovering the needs and interests of the community and providing programs and services to meet the needs and serve those identified  interests.

Advisory Councils

• Determine the needs in the community
• Set goals and objectives to meet those needs
• Help plan the programs and services offered by community education
• Assist in the development of a budget that will finance the programs and services
• Encourages cooperation with community agencies so that the needs can be fully met with the least amount of duplication
• Serve as a forum for the solution of community problems
• Form a communication link between community education and the community

From Building Better Councils II
Community Education Center — University of St. Thomas
Modified — October 16, 1999

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For questions about this information, contact Stephen P. Kretzmann (608) 267-9278

Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:08:03 AM