Applying to be a governor....HELP!!!

[marz]

I am going to apply to become a governor, and I just wondered if anyoen had done this before, (or is one currently...) I need to write an "election" 200 word note to be circulated with the ballot papers, do you think that there is anything that I should definitely include?
So far, I have
sharing my skills to fill the gaps in the current governors skill sets
interest in putting something back into the community
wanting to help maintain the school's success

Then the problem is fitting it into 200 words!!!
What would you want or expect from a governor?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
(I am not expecting anyone to write the speech here, just looking to see that I am on track....!)

Good for you. I would look for the "what you can bring to the school" something which would set you apart from other candidates. Your USP (unique selling point) marketing, sales or whatever it might be. I did bullet points for my short bio that I had to do for my position on my boys' school Board of Directors. From what I see you absolutely on the right track. Good luck.

I failed in a governor election last month. The parents went for the candidates who had experience of being school governors or who expressed the greatest enthusiasm.

Your first point's a good one, but you'll have to be a bit subtle about it - maybe you could say that your skills complement those of the other governors.

Is there anything you can say on current issues the governing body will face, and your approach to them? How will the extended day work, for instance? It would probably be an idea to mention diversity.

clerkKent, I see the school has taken up your suggestion and put a list of governors on the website.

I wouldn't bother too much about skills sets to be honest - if it's parents voting they won't necessarily have that level of detail. I would include:

-Wanting to help all the pupils at the school succeed and fulfil their potential

• Committed to and interested in the school
• If applying to be a parent governor - something about your role being to give the gov body the parents' perspective on issues and highlight other things of concern to parents, also promoting the home school partnership.

I wouldn't mention current issues and how you would approach them unless I was sure i had all the information - you don't want to commit yourself at this stage.

Hallgerda, I would like to take the credit but it was already in train when I suggested it.

Thankyou, for the info and advice....I have written "speech" (what is it called?) over the w/e....will cut and paste and then you can see....
Well, would you vote for me??

My name is xxx and I have a daughter, xxx, in reception class. I also have another child, who will start at xxx next year and would like to ask for your support in filling the vacant Parent Governor role in the school.

As a parent committed to finding high quality education in the very best environment, I would hope that you would be happy for me to represent you as a Parent governor.

I appreciate that I will be working as part of an established team, and I have in the past worked with children in care and also in mental health and management roles. I believe that this has enabled me to develop relevant skills and experience to be able to support good practises and identify and challenge assumptions and procedures that might have room for improvement.

I feel that, being new to the school, I will bring a high level of energy and commitment, as well as bringing a fresh perspective and objective view to current practises.

I realise that not may of you will know me (yet!), but I would like to be a part of overseeing both my own and your children?s environment in the long term as I am passionately committed to children?s education, happiness and safety!

Finally, if you were to elect me, you can be assured that I would be deditcated to maintaining and raising the success and welfare of the school throughout your child?s duration!

Ps...sorry you did not get it clerk....suspect I might be here asking for codolences too in a few weeks...the other people I think are further up the school....and know more people!

In a primary school it is really important to be available in the playground to other parents before and after school.

I have not yet found out how to talk to the governors in a secondary school.

I like your speech. Spell it "practices" though (or "practice" singular).