The school year has ended, summer program is rolling, and the Board needs time to revamp some policies. Where and when is the question!
Now is the time to plan and finalize your Board’s annual retreat. It is suitable to hold the retreat at the beginning of the academic year so Board members have new policies in mind and are fresh for the new school year. It gives the returning members a chance to remind themselves about the important business of the Board. It is also a time to continue the orientation of the new members appointed the previous spring.
- The Board President, School Head, and invited others should review and accept the annual agenda (most likely created the previous spring). One of the characteristics of a strategic Board is to make sure the school has a strategic plan and a process to bring that plan to fulfillment/fruition. The annual agenda is the annual “to-do” list for the school’s leadership that incorporates goals drawn from the plan to be accomplished that year.
- Review the current operations budget and its relationship to the strategic financial plan—the financial expression of the costs of implementing the goals in the strategic plan. The Finance Committee Chair can lead the discussion, assisted by the Business Manager, and the budget is endorsed in light of the projected opening day enrollment.
- Fund-raising activities should be a topic of discussion—capital and annual, and a major gifts campaign—as well as Leadership responsibilities for each board member.
Have your annual Board retreat in a location away from your school. A neutral area to relax and regroup is key—a camp or hotel in your town or nearby will suffice. Ensure there is plenty of room for your Board members. Having the retreat away from school lends a fresh air enthusiasm and excitement for the school’s mission.
Need some summer reading to prepare for your next Board retreat? Relax with a copy of The ISM Trustee Handbook. The book systematically lays out the best practices for the Board. Each Trustee who uses this handbook in a proactive, thoughtful way will be an effective Board member, enabling the Board to dynamically support, strategically lead, and wisely steward the school in its care.
Additional ISM articles of interest
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 10 No. 10 The Annual Summer Board Retreat
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 11No. 4 How to Get a ‘Paralyzed’ Board Back on Track
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 11 No. 2 Who Is Responsible for Board Evaluation?
ISM Monthly Update for Trustees Vol. 10 No. 3 Characteristics of the Ideal Trustee
