Gender and Sexual Diversity Parent Advisory Council (GSDPAC)

SPPS Gender and Sexual Diversity Parent Advisory Council (GSDPAC) Bylaws

Article 1: Purpose, Objectives, Mission and Vision

 

Purpose

 

We are parents, guardians or caregivers from diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds who identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or the parents, guardians or caregivers of Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) LGBTQIA+ students. We have a common purpose to ensure the success of our students, and authentically affirm and celebrate gender and sexual diversity. Our focus is on relationship building, family engagement, and ensuring that all students receive a premier education. We serve as a forum for families to express concerns and advocate on the behalf of their children.

 

Objectives

 

We empower LGBTQIA+ families from all racial, cultural and religious backgrounds to be engaged in the education of their children. We build a strong community to improve the learning and social environment for LGBTQIA+ students. We make recommendations to the Superintendent and Board to improve the inclusion and success as well as the physical and emotional safety of our students, families, schools, and the SPPS district. We increase the accessibility of opportunities for parent, guardian and caregiver engagement, advocacy and leadership.

 

Mission

 

The GSDPAC mission is to build a strong partnership between families that include LGBTQIA+ members and Saint Paul Public Schools. We serve as a forum for providing input, making recommendations, and advocating for key policy issues pertinent to LGBTQIA+ students’ inclusion and success as well as their physical and emotional safety, for the benefit of all in the SPPS community.

 

Vision

 

The GSDPAC vision is for all students to achieve academically, have safe and welcoming learning environments, learn about gender and sexual diversity, and build the skills to succeed in life. We strive to improve LGBTQIA+ student support services, and provide parents, guardians and caregivers knowledge, resources, and community to advocate for their children through various avenues.

 

 

Article 2: Level of Authority

 

GSDPAC:

 

1. Operates as an advisory council and has no authority over decisions and recommendations made by the administration to the Superintendent or the Board.
2. May develop positions on district policy issues for which the Board will have the final legal, policy-making authority.
3. Does not replace any parent’s, guardian’s or caregiver’s right to directly address the Board, Superintendent, Administrators or Principals.

 

Article 3: GSDPAC Membership and Meetings

 

1. Membership of the GSDPAC shall be comprised of parents, guardians and caregivers who identify as LGBTQIA+ and the parents, guardians and caregivers of SPPS's LGBTQIA+ students. Membership is open to all racial, cultural, and/or religious backgrounds.
2. Meeting attendance is open to all.
3. Members or attendees that do not support the purpose, objectives, mission and values of the GSDPAC may be removed from the group by majority vote of each member present.
4. GSDPAC members agree to share their emails and phone numbers with the GSDPAC leadership.
5. GSDPAC meetings will be held monthly through the school year. 

 

Article 4: Scope of Responsibility of GSDPAC Members

 

1. Advise the administration and Board on policies and practices that impact LGBTQIA+ students, parents, schools and community.
2. Respect the views of all members.
3. Attend and participate in GSDPAC meetings.
4. Select representatives as spokespeople to: lead a delegation to speak before the Board; work with the Office of Family Engagement and Community Partnerships to create the agenda and schedule for meetings; request materials and guest speakers that GSDPAC may need to meet its advisory functions.
5. Participate in, but not necessarily be responsible for, organizing student, parent and/or community meetings.
6. Maintain the confidentiality of all materials and content of discussions.
7. Keep abreast of current issues related to LGBTQIA+ students and families by talking with a variety of constituents, attending parent groups and/or other site-specific meetings, attending regularly scheduled Board meetings, and reading prepared documents.

 

Article 5: Voting on an Issue

 

1. GSDPAC is not required to vote on every issue it examines.
2. Existing GSDPAC members will be notified a minimum of 2 days before a vote.
3. If GSDPAC decides to vote on an issue, each member will have one vote.
4. Decisions will be passed by a simple majority vote.

 

Article 6: Scope of Responsibility of the Office of Family Engagement and Community Partnerships

1. Works with the GSDPAC to create agendas and schedule GSDPAC meetings.
2. Recommend and provide materials that GSDPAC may need to meet its advisory function.
3. Recommend and coordinate attendance for guest speakers/presenters for LGBTQIA+ topics, education, issues and policies.
4. Attend and facilitate GSDPAC meetings with SPPS support staff and GSDPAC representatives.
5. Enhance opportunities for leadership development of GSDPAC members.
6. Provide childcare, food and transportation services as needed.

 

Article 7: Amendments

 

1. Bylaws will be reviewed every three (3) years.
2. Amendments to the GSDPAC bylaws may be proposed by any GSDPAC member.
3. Notice of the proposed amendment(s) will be available to all GSDPAC members at least seven (7) days prior to a vote.
4. A 2/3 majority of all voting members is required to adopt an amendment to the GSDPAC bylaws