Intended to help vocational instructors and administrators involve local advisory councils in improving the quality of vocational programs, this handbook provides information on the role of councils and makes specific suggestions on how administrators and instructors can prepare for council meetings and obtain feedback from council members. The handbook consists of these sections: (1) an introduction that explains what the handbook attempts to do; (2) a section that explains the structure of local advisory councils, including administrative councils, general advisory councils, and ad hoc advisory councils; (3) a description of vocational instructional program advisory councils; (4) a section on procedures for establishing an advisory council, including information on the charter or constitution, bylaws, the selection of members, the size of the council, the members' terms of service, the orientation of new members, and the selection and duties of officers; (5) advice on how to plan and conduct council meetings and how to develop a plan of work to be accomplished by the council; (6) a section on how to recognize members' accomplishments, including a sample certificate; (7) a section on selective activities for regular meetings regarding program objectives, competencies, equipment and facilities, student services, public relations, and instructor inservice training; and (8) a section on administrative response. The document concludes with a list of three resources and nine references. (CML)