Sorry not very constructive. It involves two or three meetings a term (possibly less, possibly more if you are on any committees.) Some governors have special responsibilities.. I was a special needs govenor.. and then you get send on courses.. (which I found great for my own ends because I have an SN child and I learnt a lot from them.)
It will probably take you a year or so to 'learn the ropes' and fully 'get' what is being discussed at meetings.. although I did start to make fairly useful contributions to meetings before a year.it's quite difficult to find your voice initially, especially as parent among school staff. I used to see then as 'God like figures' lol.. but soon learned different! As a parent governor you are a contact point between issues parents may have and the governing body. You have to be prepared to deal with that.. but most of the time parents with problems just march into the head's office anyway and by-pass you!
You may get interviewed by Ofsted if there is an inspection while you are in office.. but probably only if you have an extra 'title' (like SN governer, child protection governer etc.)
You will get police checked (particularly for any issues/offences involving children) and will need to apply for enhanced disclosure from the criminal records bureau.. but the school willl handle all that.. you just have to fill the form in.
We were expected to take an active part in school life.. got invited on trips etc.. all school events (plays, concerts etc)
We used to have 'governor days' were each governor was alloted a class to spend time in the classroom with for a day.
You will also be on the panel for shortlisting/interviewing new staff members.. even the head and deputy.. both of which were employed while I was in office! I enjoyed that actually!
I only gave my notice because I moved away. I actually loved being so pro-actively involved with DS's school, even though the school wasn't doing great at the time. Go for it..! Buy a BIG stacker box to store the cr*p.. er.. important classified documents in .. and get stuck in!
SJ x