5 Equity Committee Roles and Structure Guide

• 3-4 high school students
  • Should be representative of the diversity of the school student population (not only students of color). We recommend seeking a broad coalition of students (and asking how you can support their participation) as opposed to relying on the most “involved” students (students who are able to be involved due to various privileges).

• 2-3 educators
  • Should be representative of the diversity of the school faculty (not only teachers of color). We recommend recruiting a combination of educators who are more skilled in anti-bias conversations and those who are eager to learn.

• 1 school-based administrator 
  • The standing member who is a school leader is charged with advocating on behalf of the committee (in partnership with the co-chairs) to the school principal and district leadership, when necessary.

• Rotating attendance by various administrative team members 
  • At least one additional school leader (rotating) should attend each meeting in order for school leadership to familiarize themselves with the work and support the committee’s efforts.

• 1-2 at large community members 
  • This is an opportunity to build relationships with organizations in your area that are knowledgeable about community concerns and know the community well. We recommend researching nonprofits and community organizations in your area that serve young people and families. These might include churches, food pantries, after-school programs, local parent organizations, local Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. Consider ways that community members can be incentivized to participate, whether through offering suggested programming that is significant to them/ their organization, or by creating an ongoing relationship with their organization and the school.

• 2 family members 
  • These may be recruited from your school’s PTO, but we recommend making an effort to include family voices who are sometimes overlooked in such organizations.

Structure: 

• Co-Chairs (1 high school student and 1 educator): attends all meetings, works with the secretary to prepare meeting agendas, runs meetings efficiently, serve as a liaison between Equity Committee and school/ district administration. Helps recruit members.
• Secretary (family member or high school student): attends all meetings and is responsible for maintaining complete and accurate meeting notes. With co-chairs, prepares and distributes meeting agenda. Also tasked with monitoring members’ and guests’ adherence to agreed-upon meeting norms.
• Treasurer (high school student): attends all meetings and is responsible for maintaining an accurate ledger of the organization’s funds. Tracks expenses and receipts for events and meetings, submits reimbursement requests to school administration.
• Administrative Liaison: an administrator who can act as official signatory, reserve building space, and serve as liaison with school/ district leadership and other school/ district organizations when necessary.
• At-large members (community members, administrators, educators): attend meetings and participate in work groups to achieve specified goals.

Requirements:

• Minimum one-year commitment; co-chairs should ideally commit to two years 
• Ability to attend monthly meetings and some additional monthly work on subcommittees
• Member characteristics: Commitment to respectful and honest communication, ability to work with individuals with various learning styles and perspectives, and a commitment to addressing the steps needed to continually improve the school’s cultural responsiveness and goals of inclusivity and equity