1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Registration | RAVINIA PREFUNCTION
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
General Session
Speakers: Rob Evans and Michael Thompson
Topic: well-being and self-care
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reception | RAVINIA PREFUNCTION
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet | DUNWOODY C
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
GENERAL SESSION
Speaker: Erica Zematis, Special Assistant to the President’s Office, NAIS
Surviving at work means getting things done each day but not having much joy and enthusiasm in what you do. Thriving at work means doing your work with energy, passion, and motivation. It is learning in your job, engaging with co-workers, and embracing what your work life has to offer.
In this session we will examine what it means to be an effective assistant and discuss tips to provide higher-level support. We will discuss ways to leverage your experience to gain leadership opportunities that enhance your professional growth and contribute in ways that take you from good to great. We will also review a few technology tips and tricks that every executive assistant should find useful to help them survive and thrive in their role.
10:30 PM – 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakouts
The executive assistant – head of school relationship is one worth investing in. In this session, we will review key findings from the recent NAIS Executive Assistant survey. We will discuss tips to strengthen the EA-Head relationship and how an EA can assist a new leader. We will discuss what it means to provide high-level support and ways that the head of school can ensure an EA’s success. The EA and the head should work as partners toward a common purpose and see value in developing a stronger relationship.
Speaker: Clay Gibney, Director of Technology, SAIS
Admin assistants are often required to be proficient with spreadsheets. This session will look at a variety of time-saving tips and tricks that work for both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Each productivity tip and trick will be demonstrated in both Excel and Google Sheets. So regardless of which tool your office uses, you’ll gain some handy time savers!
Sample Excel file / Sample Google file
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Buffet | DUNWOODY C
Speaker: Toni Boyd, VP for Finance and Operations, The Westminster Schools
Division Level: All
The financial success of any independent school is inextricably tied to demonstrating successful outcomes with the resources that have been generously committed by investors in the school’s vision. In this session, we will cover the independent school business cycle, the framework of cash inflows and outflows, and the unique not-for-profit financial environment.
Participants will understand the:
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Small Group Discussions
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wellness Breakouts (Optional)
Join an optional guided yoga session led by Elizabeth Maglio.
Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat or a hotel towel.
Join an optional trail walk through the Ravinia Gardens. Led by Kathy Corwin.
Meet on the lower lobby level by the doors at the bottom of the stairs.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
This session will offer guidance on the best ways to find SAIS resources, recordings, and articles that heads often ask their assistant to help find. We’ll also look at how to manage your school’s information and roster on the SAIS website, and we’ll take a tour of the new SAIS Connect admin assistant community and the SAIS job board, which will be helpful to those who need to post new job openings for their school.
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Topics for this discussion will be gathered during Thursday’s small group discussions.
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
With a growing number of heads of school retiring or leaving their school, this session serves to support administrative assistants during a head of school transition. During this panel presentation, facilitated by SAIS President Debra Wilson, participants will hear from three assistants to the head of school who have recently gone or are currently going through a head of school transition. Following the guidance, lessons learned, and suggested considerations from the panelists, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with colleagues.
Facilitator: Debra Wilson, President, SAIS
Panelists:
12:00 PM
Adjourn
Learn More