For your school’s board of trustees to have a productive year, both new and returning board members need to be well-prepared for the work ahead. While the primary focus of this issue of the Board Bulletin focuses on orienting new board members, a savvy board will consider which parts of the orientation process would be beneficial for returning board members to experience as well.
In order to be a strong contributing board member, every member must be conversant in two areas:
Three strategies to aid new board members in gaining the requisite knowledge include
New Board Member Orientation
Before the first board meeting of the year, each new board member should be required to attend an orientation meeting. Returning board members should be encouraged to attend this meeting as well. The meeting, which should be run by the chair of the board governance committee (often called the committee of trustees), should also have the board chair and the head of school in attendance.
The new board member orientation meeting usually lasts two to three hours to allow ample time for covering important subject matter. Topics to be reviewed include the legal responsibilities of board members, the appropriate interactions with the head of school and other school employees, as well as the board’s major roles. It should include the challenges of board service, particularly separating the parent (or other constituent) hat from the board hat. The meeting should be clear on the board’s norms and what is expected to prepare for each meeting.
In addition, the financial situation of the school, including last year’s financials, should be reviewed, and the most important issues facing the school and the board should be discussed. While the content is serious, the meeting should highlight the joys and the importance of board service.
It is also worth mentioning that new board members should be ready to actively participate during their first meetings. The board often benefits from hearing the fresh perspective from new board members. Returning board members may be so entrenched in the way the board conducts its business, they miss opportunities to better serve the school.
One-on-One Board Member Meetings
Every new board member, perhaps even every board member, should meet individually with the head of school and/or board chair. These meetings allow for individual questions to be asked and for a member’s committee interest to be divined. It also provides the head of school and board chair the express to each board member which skills and attributes leadership hopes the member will bring to the board.
Board Mentors
Finally, it is wise to assign each new board member a returning board member as a mentor. The mentor should be available to answer questions and to be a sounding board. The mentor should be given specific expectations for their role, including that they must reach out to the new board member regularly. Often a mentee will not initiate a conversation but appreciates the opportunity to talk to an experienced board member.
By orienting new board members, your school’s board will maximize its chances of having a successful and productive year.
Want to learn more? Join us for our Trustee Education Series, beginning September 17, 5:00-6:00 PM Eastern as we explore the Signals and Trends Impacting the Education Sector.
Check out these additional resources for onboarding your board members.
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