Parents Council

Purpose

The Parents Council was formed in 1996 to create a forum for parents of current students to advise School of Nursing & Health Studies (NHS) leadership about ways to enhance the student experience and to provide overall support for the School, most especially in fundraising.  Council members also serve as a resource to other parents.

Structure

The Council consists of 2 distinct groups:  the General Council and the Executive Committee.  Both groups are headed by The Chair of the Council who also serves ex officio on the School's Board of Visitors.

The General Council is comprised of 30 to 40 parents of current students representing each undergraduate class and one or more recent alumni.  The General Council meets twice annually on Parents Weekend in October and in the spring of each year.  Members of the General Council are expected to serve on one of the Council's committees and to contribute $10,000 over a four-year period to the Council's general fund.

The Executive Committee is comprised of 5 to 10 parents of current students who are able to contribute $50,000 over a four-year period to the Council's general fund.  They may serve on committees and attend general meetings.  They will meet once annually at a dinner hosted by the NHS Administrative Team to advise on key NHS projects and programs.

See the Parents Council Roster.

Focus

The Parents Council is focused on three primary areas:  Student Life, Special Projects, and Fundraising.  There are three operating committees of the Council designed to support each of these areas.

• Student Life Committee:  Responsible for improving the experience of students and parents of NHS, this committee develops and distributes communication materials.  In addition to keeping students and parents informed of NHS developments and council projects, this committee also assists with student related issues such as move-in day and answering questions of new NHS parents.

• Special Projects Committee:  This committee works with the NHS staff to identify meaningful projects that the Council can support.  This committee is also charged to maintain bylaws and nominate and recruit new members.

• Fundraising Committee:  Responsible for procuring funds from both inside and outside the NHS to support the projects of the Council and to contribute to the Dean's discretionary fund.

For more information, contact:  Kate Paulsen, Director of Development, School of Nursing & Health Studies, (202) 687-7152, or Katie Joyner, Assistant Director, School of Nursing & Health Studies, (202) 687-2327.

• Parents Council Project
• Parents Council Roster