In late April 2025, the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) hosted two pivotal events—the School Councils Symposium on April 26 and its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 27. Both events were held online on Zoom, connecting parent representatives, school council members and stakeholders from across the province. These virtual gatherings provided valuable opportunities for engagement, learning and collaboration in Alberta’s school communities, while eliminating barriers like limited time and financial resources that in-person events can pose.

The 2025 School Councils Symposium attracted a diverse mix of attendees, including many returning participants as well as first-time school council members eager to broaden their knowledge and share insights. The symposium program featured two keynote presentations and a series of breakout sessions covering topics such as leadership, resilience and practical school council operations. Feedback was generally positive, with many rating the sessions as “good” or “very good.” At the same time, attendees offered constructive suggestions for improving session content and enhancing participant interaction within the online platform. Zoom’s technology was considered effective for delivering content, though not ideal for facilitating the kind of spontaneous conversation and networking typically enjoyed during in-person events.

The virtual format was widely appreciated for its accessibility, convenience and reduced stress compared to travel and in-person attendance. However, a significant number of participants expressed a preference for returning to in-person events in the future. Many noted that face-to-face events foster deeper engagement, richer networking and more meaningful discussions. When asked about financial investment, respondents shared a willingness to pay for a one- to one-and-a-half-day in-person event, with most indicating a reasonable range of between $100 and $300 per person.

The following day, the ASCA AGM brought together delegates and observers representing ASCA member school councils from across Alberta. This important democratic forum allowed participants to deliberate on advocacy resolutions, learn organizational priorities and understand strategic direction for the year ahead. Survey feedback reflected a high level of satisfaction with the event’s organization, including the registration process, clarity of premeeting materials and skilled moderation throughout the meeting.

Similar to comments from the symposium, some respondents expressed interest in exploring hybrid or in-person options in the future to enhance connection and dialogue. Participants also emphasized the value of pre-AGM workshops and preparation sessions, which help new attendees feel confident and well informed.

ASCA extends its heartfelt thanks to all members, volunteers and attendees who contributed their time, energy and voices to these events. Your participation is essential in shaping the Association’s mission to support parent engagement through school councils, advocate for effective education policies and build stronger school communities across Alberta. We look forward to building on the momentum and success of these gatherings and exploring new ways to engage and empower school councils and parents in the years to come.

If you’re new to ASCA or want to learn how you can get more involved, please visit www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca for resources, training and connections.