Handbook

The PAC is a group of volunteer parents and guardians whose primary focus is to strengthen our school community and support the school through various committees and projects. Working with the Montecito administration and staff, the PAC aims to foster a positive and engaging learning atmosphere, connect parents/guardians, as well as promote participation in PAC decision-making, activities, and events.

• DPAC – the Burnaby District Parent Advisory Council, under the BC School Act, is the umbrella group of Parent Advisory Councils.
• Quorum – the minimum number of voting members that must be present at a properly called meeting to conduct business in the PAC’s name (currently 3 people).
• Executive Officers – the officers of the PAC designated as follows: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Members at Large.
• Member at Large – serve in a capacity to be determined by the PAC at the time of election and at other times as the council requires.
• Committee – a subgroup of members that drive action for a particular topic or event.
• Robert’s Rules of Order – a framework that is a set of codes and rules of ethics that helps groups hold orderly meetings that allow the majority to rule while allowing minority voices to be heard. [View Quick Guide]

Notices and agendas for all meetings are shared with parents at least one week prior to the meeting.

New business not included on the agenda may be motioned for discussion after all scheduled business during the meeting. Feel free to bring your ideas!

You can join meetings in person or online. There is no requirement to speak, but we encourage everyone to have a voice in the things that matter to them.

All matters requiring a vote are decided by a majority (no ties) after sufficient discussion. This gives the minority a voice while satisfying the most stakeholders possible.

The typical agenda is as follows:

• Adoption of the Agenda
• Adoption or Adoption with Changes of the previous minutes
• Chair Report
• Time for Principal’s Report
• Time for Head Teacher’s Report
• Treasurer Report
• Time for Committee Reports
• Time for new business, including uninterrupted presentations – not in excess of 10 minutes, or a motion for consideration of the PAC by any member.

You can read more about all the rules and regulations in the PAC Bylaws.

There are lots of ways to volunteer. You can still be involved even if you can not attend meetings.

• You can follow the chatter on Slack
• You can volunteer to join a committee if one piques your interest
• You can start a committee if there is something you want to achieve for the school. Please run any idea by the PAC and the principal to ensure we are following the Bylaws and any school district mandates.
• You can volunteer to set up, run, or take down PAC or school events by keeping an eye out for opportunities in parent emails.
• You can check out the main page for Calls to Action to see if there is a need you can fill.