Within your School Advisory Council (SAC), the members may agree on creating SAC Bylaws. Bylaws are a set of agreed-upon regulations that will dictate how the SAC functions and carries out its operations. While SACs are not required to write or submit bylaws, they have proven to be very helpful for many schools. Let’s review some of their benefits!

• Bylaws can help state the purpose and mission of the SAC and how responsibilities get delegated.

• Because bylaws are a set of regulations that everyone on the SAC has agreed upon, they do not only represent one or a few voices, but they can give agency to all members of the SAC.

• Bylaws can help create a sense of unity and cohesion within the SAC because of a common way of acting, talking, and making decisions within the team.

• Bylaws can help guide everyone in how to act if there is a disagreement or difference of opinion.

• Bylaws can hold all SAC members accountable to the purpose and direction of the SAC and clearly state what things the SAC wants to accomplish.

• Bylaws are decided upon and written down, which can serve as a reference to point to in the future by all parties.

Getting the process started to write bylaws within your SAC can be a good way to prepare for next year and to get all members on the same page. Check out the Writing SAC Bylaws Presentation and Worksheet for more information and instructions.

You can find more SAC training materials at www.philasd.org/face/sac. For any additional assistance with your school’s SAC, please email sac@philasd.org or call 215-400-4180, Option #3.