shac manual - North Carolina Healthy Schools

5TAKING ACTION ANDMAINTAINING MOMENTUMTAKING ACTIONYour Council works best when members agree on a structure tocarry out the action plan efficiently. An organizational structurehelps members see where they fit in the School Health AdvisoryCouncil and identify their responsibilities. Once you complete theaction plan, conduct a meeting to decide how Council memberswill work together to carry out the plan.WITHIN THAT PROCESS, DECIDE THE FOLLOWING:1. What kinds of groups are needed to carry out the action plan?2. What is the organizational structure? A flatter organizationhas fewer people managing the work and more people doingthe work.3. What are the roles of individuals, subgroups, the whole group,and staff in doing the work of the SHAC?“Coming together isa beginning; keepingtogether is progress;working together issuccess.”Henry FordCreate a structure that allows members to volunteer. The structuremay also allow the assignment of roles that match members’ workresponsibilities, interests and strengths. Members who do not feelinvolved or needed tend to stop attending meetings. Sharing orrotating roles can help prevent burnout and ensure that membersfeel useful and valued. You may have written by-laws that describethe operational procedures for carrying out the work of theCouncil.There are certain ingredients needed for change to occur. Beforebeginning to take action, review “What’s Needed for Change toOccur?” (5-3) and determine if you have all supports in place toprevent a false start. Successful outcomes require the presence ofelements such as vision, skills, incentives, resources, and an action5-1