1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Registration | PREFUNCTION
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Kick-Off: Are You Back to Normal? | CRESCENDO 7 (Rob Evans & Michael Thompson)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reception | LOBBY GALLERY
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet | CRESCENDO 7
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
General Session
Speaker: Jessy Molina, Facilitator, Molina Consulting
Room: Crescendo 7
This workshop is designed to give participants an understanding of implicit bias and how our brains are wired to create mental shortcuts. Participants will learn about biases that are reinforced unconsciously through literature, popular media, and other messages we receive. Participants will learn the language and tools needed to examine their own biases, consider how bias shows up in personal and professional relationships, and learn proven strategies to reduce the impact of bias on our decision-making.
Participants will:
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Debra Wilson, President, SAIS
Join this informative session on important aspects of common legal issues in the admin assistant’s office, including custody issues and family legal matters. As the first line of defense, you often find yourself interacting with scared or upset parents seeking specific information. We will discuss the boundaries of information disclosure, what to do when questioned about sensitive matters, and provide best practices for handling these situations.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Buffet | CRESCENDO 7
Breakouts
Speaker: Julie Russell, Executive Assistant to the Head & Board, Ensworth School
Room: Crescendo 4
This session will cover several best practices for working with the board of trustees at your school. We’ll discuss:
Speaker: Lisa Edenfield, Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees, Cape Henry Collegiate
Professional assistants: They are the first impression of their office that people will see; therefore, they must be professional and cordial at all times. Assistants set the tone for the office and its reputation. There are six basic soft skills that assistants should master to ensure they are representing their office well. In this presentation, we will take a detailed look at how to navigate specific issues that can chip away at your reputation and the office atmosphere. We will also learn easy ways to enhance your relationship with your boss and make you an invaluable support. This presentation is designed to polish your emotional intelligence and offer specific approaches to presenting your best professional self.
This session will:
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Topics will include:
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wellness Breakouts (optional):
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Speaker: Amber Stockham, Director, Human Resources Programs, NBOA
Self-care has always been important for administrative staff, but at this moment it is critical not just to your individual well-being but also your school’s. As mission-driven institutions, schools often have lean operations and ask more of administrative assistants than other organizations. You must wear many hats, work flexibly and diligently, and always be a supportive presence for the entire school community. The challenge of filling multiple roles well is now being compounded by external stressors and three years of ongoing change and disruption.
The mission is a powerful motivator, and it can be instrumental to sustaining resilience in times of stress, but it must be coupled with intentional self-care. Self-care is more than meditation, eating well, and exercising. Self-care focuses on holistic well-being: psychological, emotional, physical, and social. When purposefully designed and followed, self-care practices can provide us with fulfillment and resilience.
We will explore ways to integrate self-care into daily routines, even while on the clock. We will learn why self-care is essential to your success and to your school community’s health. We will ensure resilience in the face of adversity and become more confident in our ability to navigate change and thrive in our roles.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Speaker: Anne Wiles, Director of Finance & Business Operations, Berkeley Preparatory School
The financial success of independent schools is closely tied to demonstrating successful outcomes with the resources that have been generously committed by investors in the school’s mission and 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:
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Topics for this discussion will be gathered during Thursday’s small group discussions and posted on Friday morning.
12:30 PM
Adjourn