Jim , It's interesting. It's very valuable to have advisory boards and also often required by regulatory agencies. The issue is always how to engage them and get and keep their attention. We suggest forming a board that represents a broad constituency. This includes students, grads, staff, faculty, employers and those who don't employ your grads yet, plus community leaders. Make it a prestigious organization. Plan only one meeting and one party. The meeting is set at the start of your year - whenever that is for you. All other "meetings" are held via conference call and email. Be sure to send agendas that are short and to the point. Send summaries that are also short. Hold a thank you party once a year. If you have some drop outs that's fine. Because you start out with more members than you need. Good luck, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz