Committee Structure and Responsibilities

Commission Advisory Committees: Each of the six AWSA commissions has an advisory committee that is responsible for establishing the purpose, goals, objectives and programs of the commission, subject to the approval of the board of directors.

Standing Committees: The purpose and suggested activities of standing committees are determined by the board of directors to effectively achieve the goals of the association

Associate Principals Commission Advisory Committee

Charge: To seek and accept every opportunity to further the interests and position of the associate principal in the State of Wisconsin; keep open and improve avenues of communication between associate principals and other administrators as active members of the association; work for and maintain recognition for associate principals as professional leaders in education; offer associate principals a mechanism to meet the professional needs of the position by providing institutes, workshops, etc. which will develop the position of the associate principal to its fullest potential; acknowledge the dignity of the position of the associate principal and to promote the status as a member of the administrative team.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Educational Services Administrators Commission Advisory Committee

Charge: To represent the interests of AWSA members other than principals, associate principals or similar building level administrators. Educational Services Administrators Commission members typically provide support and service to all district staff, students, parents and programs. The commission shall: provide opportunities for ESA members to network and share ideas and programs; inform members of current and future educational issues; promote the contributions of ESA members to other administrators; provide inservice opportunities for educators; react to members' interests and concerns; and support specific legislation which is in the best interest of education.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Elementary Commission Advisory Committee

Charge: To coordinate the combined efforts of school and community to provide the best possible educational experiences for children; actively strive for recruitment and retention of quality people to fill positions of leadership in schools; actively support the membership campaign of AWSA; continue to improve the status and welfare of school administrators; explore alternatives to the current methods of public education funding; and seek to enhance a productive working relationship with other educational associations.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Middle Level Education Commission Advisory Committee

Charge: Represent middle level education; provide relevant conference experiences; advocate curriculum, instruction and activities appropriate for middle level education; and advise and make recommendations to the AWSA Board of Directors.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Retired Members Commission Advisory Committee

Representation: One member and one alternate from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Senior High School Commission Advisory Committee

Charge: To advocate and facilitate effective secondary level education; to influence educational issues and developments of interest to secondary level administrators through research and the development of position statements and policy proposals to be submitted to the AWSA Board of Directors and the Department of Public Instruction; and to promote the professional growth of secondary level administrators through conferences and the dissemination of information.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Annual Convention Planning Committee

Charge: To plan, organize and conduct the association's annual convention, including securing speakers, organizing exhibits, and selecting facilities; identify and arrange facility requirements; assure that physical conditions for the meetings are at optimum level.

Representation: Based on member interest. Appointed by president.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Legislation Committee & AWSA Political Action Committee

Charge: To meet several times each year, in conjunction with the legislation committees of the WASDA, WASBO, and the WCASS to discuss issues and educational policy issues that relate to the quality of public education in Wisconsin and to the particular needs of the AWSA membership; to seek the advice and recommendation of AWSA members, committees, and task forces to assist in the identification of issues and the formulation of strategies to prepare an effective legislation agenda; to prepare the AWSA legislation program in conjunction with the Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance and submit it to the AWSA Board of Directors for review and ratification; to enhance the School Administrators Alliance legislative effectiveness and involvement in educational policy matters by initiating, coordinating, and encouraging contacts between AWSA members and the members of the state legislature, the DPI, and the governor's office; and to assist in the coordination of AWSA's involvement in the NAESP and NASSP Federal Relations Network. In addition, members may serve on the AWSA Political Action Committee.

Representation: Six members and six alternates from AWSA regions, appointed by the president in consultation with the regional director and the executive director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two or three meetings in conjunction with the SAA which are one to two days in length. If necessary, additional meetings independent of the SAA may be called.

Nominating Committee

Charge: Identify candidates to stand for election to the office of president-elect.

Representation: Even-numbered years - one representative each from Elementary, Associate Principals, Retired Members Commissions and Regions 1-3-5-7-9-11. Odd-numbered years - one representative each from Middle Level, Senior High and Educational Services Administrators Commissions and Regions 2-4-6-8-10-12. Appointed by commission chair/regional director.

Term: One year.

Meetings: One meeting in early December followed by a telephone conference in January or February.

Professional Concerns Committee

Charge: To act in an advisory capacity to the AWSA Board of Directors on all matters relating to the professional status and welfare of association members (status includes those concerns which establish the professional position in the educational enterprise and which further identify the school administrator as a key person in the school system, and welfare encompasses the personal welfare of school administrators in terms of the rights to perform responsibilities, salary, fringe benefits, contract protections, retirement benefits, and other items which are generally considered important to the position); to compile and disseminate information to the AWSA membership on status and welfare concerns; and to review issues related to the benefits that school administrators receive under the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the president in consultation with the regional director.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Student Services/Contests and Activities Committee

Charge: Provide assistance to the executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC); assist in formulating and implementing policies and guidelines for organizing and operating student councils in the state; endeavor to promote membership in WASC, improve and strengthen student councils and the WASC; recommend ways in which it can assist administrators and students through student councils, clubs and organizations that offer and promote student leadership opportunities.

To assist principals in the selection of contests, activities and programs which will provide worthwhile educational experiences for students and which are in balance with the total school program. To meet this responsibility the committee establishes guidelines for participation and serves as a resource to the AWSA membership in dealing with questions and concerns which involve contests and activities.

Representation: One member from each region, appointed by the president in consultation with the regional director. The president may appoint other interested members to fill regional vacancies.

Term: Three years

Meetings: Two meetings during the course of the school year. Meetings generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end by 2:00 p.m. The location is determined by the committee members based on travel convenience.

Agenda items: Student based and related to the committee charge and/or presented by the AWSA Board of Directors.

Regional directors shall notify the headquarter staff of all committee appointments by April 15. If an appointment cannot be made by April 15 the position will be considered an open appointment. All directors will be informed of the open position vacancies and at the May board of directors meeting may submit recommendations for appointments to those positions. Thereafter, officers and/or staff may fill remaining vacancies.