Resources
Staff Getting Started on your Engagement
We recommend you gather a diverse team of folks to organize your engagement whenever possible. You will need a strong foundation before you begin. Below are a number of steps you can take to think intentionally about engagement, develop shared language and ideas for your project, and to maximize the long term learning and relationships for your team and the other community members you intend to engage. Check out these steps to get you started and reach out to our team for support from the start! We will consult, train, and guide you in developing an engagement style that honors our commitments to Seattle excellenceSeattle Excellence is the district's 2019-24 strategic plan. and your vision for your team as leaders and stewards of community needs, voice, and knowledge.
Step 1 Reach Out and Build Your Foundation
Schedule a consultation with the Stakeholder Engagement Team via our Engagement Intake form
Fill out a Racial Equity Analysis Toolkit – Engagement is an Equity centered activity, use this to keep that centered in your planning ahead
Step 2. Organize your team & strategy
Assess who should help you organize the engagement, when possible build a small diverse team and meet consistently.
Fill out Community Engagement Toolkit – Determine what stakeholdersThose student, families and community groups impacted by proposed policy, program or and what level of engagement fits your goals & stakeholdersThose student, families and community groups impacted by proposed policy, program or needs
Reassess skills, stakeholder, resources and timeline once you have a team to ensure you are building a culturally responsible & effective plan. A bad engagement can do harm to our community and our collectives ability to serve and lead alongside a community.
Step 3. Plan for Outreach & Awareness
Contact Public Affairs for a consultation and guidance on your options
Reach out to partners with newsletters, contact school leaders and organizations that can reach your stakeholdersThose student, families and community groups impacted by proposed policy, program or
Send your engagement information to engagement@seattleschools.org within a calendar invitation
Create a 3+ week outreach and awareness plan in plain as possible English before your engagement starts or expect low turn out
Translation Note: Give translators a week of head time before requesting written translations and more for in person.
Additional Resources:
Resource: Compensation Models for Community Engagement
Resource: Contracting with Organizations for Engagement
Resource: Community Engagement Toolkit
Resource: AVID Strategies to make meetings more engaging for youth & adults