How to Involve Parents in your Athletic Programs By Dave Tikker WSSAAA Executive Director AD/Counselor Mt. Side Middle School

Public Relations 101 Many Parents Want to Engage – Sometimes you see it in inappropriate ways – Deal with it/ Negative associations Find healthy ways to engage parents/ they become valuable support system

What Do You Do Ideas for Healthy Parent Involvement

Parent Meeting Creates Good Will First Contact More Concerned about Availability then Ability Producing Better Citizens more important than producing good athletes Budget Cuts- Need parents to help Parent Book- Tom Doyles Institute

Get to Know Parents Find Positive opportunities 3 complements a day exercise

Seasonal Letters to Parents Football- Coaches /scrimmage – BBQ – Meeting about season – Ask for volunteers Clock, chains, treats

X-country Parent student run/practice/meeting Volunteers for meets- supervision

Wrestling Parent meeting/clinic Spectator etiquette Positive reinforcement

Basketball Scrimmage/parent meeting Etiquette of being spectator Volunteer for clock and keeping book

Baseball Scrimmage/meeting Spectator Etiquette Field Maintenance help

Track $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Need the most help Practice meet- parent meeting to teach parents how to run a meet

Articles for Newsletter Written by Parent about previous sport Positive Look at season

Public Relations vs Ignore Tax payers / ultimate judges as to the educational value for their son or daughter

Parents Best Advocate or Not