AUSD LGBTQ Round Table

The LGBTQ+ Roundtable serves to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment to ensure that all LGBTQ+ community members can thrive in the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD). 

This will be achieved through: 

Curriculum and Policy 

• Advising the district on LGBTQ+ -oriented curriculum and policy

Student, Staff, and Family Support

• Collaborating with student and community organizations to expand inclusion for youth and families
• Supporting and developing parent and student groups (GSAs, parent support groups)
• Fostering collaboration and consistency amongst GSAs
• Connecting LGBTQ+ students with staff and peers through mentorship opportunities

Events

• Building connections, raising awareness, and spreading positivity through community events 

Responsibilities
Members of the LGBTQ+ Roundtable will demonstrate:

• Commitment to attendance 
• Engagement, focus, and enthusiasm
• Respectful discourse and collaboration

Roles
May be year-long or rotating

• Secretary - Takes notes during membership meetings (to be stored and organized in shared folder)
• Facilitator- Ensures focus and equity of voice during meetings, keeps time accountability, distributes resources for group review (sharing documents in meeting chat, etc.

 Application for LGBTQ Round Table

While all Round Table members play a role in all group objectives, subcommittees allow for smaller groups to focus on an objective they are most interested in. 

Curriculum and Policy

• Working with district representatives to advise on policy, curriculum, and related issues

Events

• Planning and coordinating community-wide events

Student and Family Support

• Addressing student and family-centered needs through resources and collaboration with community organizations

 Subcommittee Leaders will facilitate and coordinate subcommittee meetings.

The Round Table will be led by the joint authority of a chair and student chair. The co-chairs will serve for the length of an academic year (August to June).  It is recommended that chairs be able to commit for the entire term.

Chair Responsibilities 

• Agenda creation: developing and assigning agenda items
• Communication: sharing meeting agenda, action items, and other announcements, coordinating membership meeting reminders and invitations
• Representation and leadership: relaying member input to district representatives, overseeing subcommittees, hosting virtual meetings

Selection Criteria

• Chairs should be selected from within Roundtable members (with the exception of chairs expressly recruited from outside the organization), with preference for subcommittee leaders or most experienced members. 
• Whenever possible, the co-chairs will consist of one adult and one high school student who is actively involved in their school’s GSA. If a student is not identified by the final meeting of the year, the student co-chair can be nominated in the fall. 

Election Process

• During the final meeting of the term, the floor will be opened for nomination. 
• Members will be free to nominate others for the position, guided by the criteria above. Nominees who accept their nomination stand as candidates. 
• When nominations are complete, a closed ballot system should be used to elect the chair (in a digital meeting, this can take the form of a private chat message to the chair). If only one candidate stands after the nomination process, they become chair by acclimation with no vote necessary. 

1. Organize community-based events to educate about the history and presence of LGBTQ people and families in our schools and city.
2. Facilitate Harvey Milk Day planning to foster community awareness and understanding.
3. Assist with AB 9 and SB 48 implementation to promote safe schools.
4. Coordinate diversity awareness activities/events in all AUSD schools.
5. Support students, staff, and families who are LGBTQ and allies of the LGBTQ community. 

1. Provide resources to the school district to ensure the success of LGBTQ-oriented curricula.
2. Collaborate with community-based (e.g., business, civic, faith) organizations committed to inclusive, safe spaces for youth and families. 
3. Develop parent/community groups for support and advocacy of the LGBTQ community.
4. Coordinate pro bono legal support to help AUSD ensure and safeguard legal rights for LGBTQ youth and families. 
5. Connect LGBTQ youth and families in the community and schools with appropriate community-based support resources.