If you're finding it difficult, you are not alone.
During
the past 10 years, I've worked with a number of independent
schools...PreK-12 University Preparartoy, Special Needs, Single Gender,
Co-Ed, International, Boarding, ESL. They were all trying to develop a
Board Governance model that focused trustees on the critical pillars of
exceptional boards, but they weren't firing on all cyclinders.
The Solution is my Board Performance Worshop and Online Survey
FROM: The desk of Douglas Halladay
DATE: Tuesday, 10:12 am
RE: Board Governance Workshop
Dear friend and fellow educator:
If
your board isn’t performing as effectively as you wish, or you want to
make it even better, you’re not alone. Maybe, like many others, you
simply need to know the RIGHT way for your board to lead effectively
and where to focus improvement. In the next few pages, you'll uncover a new way to help your trustees become an exceptional governance unit – quickly, measurably, and easily. And it is guaranteed to work for you.
As the Chair, Trustee, or Senior Administrator of a Private School, does your board experience any of the following:
-
Trustee behavior that is unproductive and not aligned with your mission;
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Board agenda that is controlled by crisis rather than a clear vision;
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Board committees that exist only because they have always been there, not because they’re needed;
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No link between budget, tuition setting, or a long-term plan;
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Blurring of boundaries and channels between the roles of the Board and Administration;
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Unsure of how to move your Board and school to the next level;
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Board commitment greater than you would like it to be and has become too taxing and stressful; Inability to attract and keep good trustees.
Well,
if one or more (maybe all) of these questions apply to you, and you
know in your heart that you really deserve to work with an effective,
positive board of governors, and you would like to know how to do it,
then you need a tested and proven system to do it. Read on to learn
more.
You
know it and you can see it -- exceptional boards stand out. But what
makes these boards tick? What’s their secret? They seem to have a
reputation for rising to another level; retaining and attracting strong
leaders; a waiting list for membership; results through an engaging
vision; and exceeding their fundraising campaigns. But what do they
have in common?
To tell you the
truth, exceptional boards go beyond just the basics of governance --
they add lasting value to their school and mission. Don’t feel lost
though; Exceptional boards do have a common set of attributes that
clearly separates them from other boards.
- Mission Focused
- Strategic
- Interdependent
- Focused on Results
- Diligent
- Analytical
- Autonomous
- Transparent
- Resourceful
- Follow Best Practices
- Self-Developing
- Renewing
How
did you do? Did you score 12 out of 12? How many of the attributes did
your board of governors score? You may not be expected to have all of
these in play right now, but you need to focus on having a system in
place that will. Exceptional boards go beyond the basics of governance
of responsible boards. Exceptional board governance is a balance
between roles –‑ an oversight body with fiduciary responsibility to
detect and prevent problems, and create lasting value to the school and
its vision. These set of attributes that clearly separates Exceptional
boards from other ordinary.
After
reading the list, do you think the elements of exceptional boards are
attainable to the chosen few? NO. Can your present board’s performance
improve? YES. But what can you do to ensure that your board improves or
remains at peak performance and enjoys greater success and
satisfaction?Can YOU achieve these attributes…Of Course…but with the
right system.
Unfortunately,
most boards are too caught up in the daily business of their school to
take the time to reflect on their own performance and HOW to improve.
The key to measurable improvement is my BOARD PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP,
which offers boards an opportunity to step back and determine, “How
well are we doing?” and “How can we improve the way we operate
measurably?” This elite workshop offers an effective system for boards
to reflect on their contribution to the organization’s effectiveness
and systematically determine how it can strengthen the way it operates.
When I say this 2-day workshop is elite…I really mean it. I will be
working with your board – individually and as a group – for the entire
2-days, so I will have time to go into greater detail about the
strengths and weakness of your board’s performance and fundamental and
advanced strategies for exceptional board governance.
- You’re
provided use of a confidential Online Board Self-Assessment Survey for
each board member that analyzes critical governance issues (It can also
be expanded to other staff)
- An in-depth analysis of the survey-questionnaire in a detailed report to each trustee
- 1-on-1
interview with each trustee to identify the strengths, weakness,
opportunities, and threats to the boards’ performance and the school
- A workshop where the issues that arise from the questionnaire and interviews are analyzed and solved
- Participation in relevant case studies that review Best Board Practices
- Facilitated workshop that assists the board in developing an action plan to close the performance gap
- A report that summarizes the survey results and your action plan to improved board performance
- A written summary of the board’s key issues and the resulting action plans
The
Customized Board Performance Workshop and Survey create a huge Bull’s
Eye to focus Improvement in your Board’s Performance. You will…
- Assess and fine tune your board’s performance by identifying the critical issues hindering performance
- Receive
an exhaustive 360° online Board Performance Self-Assessment Survey
based on years of research that assesses your board’s performance vs.
the pillars of exceptional boards
- Acquire a profile of your
board’s performance based on candid, confidential responses to the
survey, which in turn provides guidance in fine-tuning the board’s role
and performance
- Receive rapid distribution of your online
survey questions and results…this will help your board function better
and contribute to your organization’s improved performance of its
mission
- Receive a “Summative Board Performance Report,”
providing a comprehensive overview of the board’s survey results and
plan of action in your school
- Receive one-on-one trustee interviews to determine and prioritize critical issues
- Allow
board members to candidly discuss and reach consensus on important
issues surrounding governance and lay the groundwork for improvement in
board performance
- Participate in relevant case scenarios and exercises that highlight best board practices
- Identify critical issues before they become a crisis and establish a positive school environment
- Develop and energize your Board — ensuring a common vision, utilizing talent, and stability
- Identifying critical areas of board operation that need attention and using it as a springboard to strengthen board performance
- Assessing progress towards existing plans, goals, and objectives
- Better preparation for a Strategic Plan or major Fundraising CampaignS
- erving as an effective orientation and inclusion process for new board members
- Building trust, respect, team-work, and communication amongst board members and the Head
- Clarifying the respective roles of the board and staff
- Gaining credibility for the organization amongst donors to support fundraising
- Ensuring that all board members have a shared understanding of the board’s roles and responsibilities
- Enabling individual board members to work more effectively as part of the team
- Identifying and reaching consensus on critical issues before they become a crisis
- Building a stronger Head-Board relationship
The
highly unique online survey is critical to the success of the
Performance Workshop. It’s based on years of research on the ‘Pillars
of Effective Boards,’ and looks at the following critical are:
- Mission and Purpose
- Strategic Planning
- Programs and Services
- Financial Resources
- Fiscal Oversight
- Risk Management Policies
- Support and Review of the Head of School
- Relationship between Board and Staff
- Public Image
- Selection and Orientation of New Board Members
- Organization and Efficient Operation of the Board
- Board Committees and Task Forces
You
have the keys sitting right there in front of you – you just need to
reach out and unlock the vault to unlimited success. You clearly know
that there are areas in your board’s performance that need to improve
to create your “blue ribbon” school, but you’re hesitating. Well don’t
wait! You’ve less than two months before the next school year begins.
You’ve the chance right now to create the blueprint for an exceptional
board, and become a top institution…with focused trustees, a waiting
list for board membership, empowered staff, focused directors,
energized administration, happy, and proud parents who brag about their
child’s school (remember word-of-mouth is the #1 recruiting tool).
When
I was growing up, a handshake was as good as any piece of paper a
lawyer could ever write. I miss those days when a person’s word was his
bond. So here's my 'handshake.' Here's my promise to you that my work
is guaranteed. Once you read this Guarantee, I’m sure that you'll agree
that no one in the industry Guarantees their work like I do! It’s my
way of showing you how confident I am in my abilities and how sure I am
that I can help you. If I don’t meet your objectives, and cannot meet
them after your written notification and every attempt to correct the
shortcoming, you will receive a full 100% refund of every penny you
paid.
My
Mission is to “Help You Achieve Greater Success.” I founded my
consulting firm after +25 years of earning a solid reputation from a
career as my senior educational leader in both the public and private
K-12 education sector; leading the design of National curriculum and
policy, and; facilitating projects with non- and for-profit
organizations. You may recall me as the Head of Queen Margaret's School
on Vancouver Island; the Head of Fraser Academy; the Deputy Head and
Senior School Director at West Point Grey Academy; before that; the
Senior Managing Curriculum and Resources Coordinator for B.C.’s
Ministry of Education where I led the development of more than 20% of
the provinces K-12 curriculum. I know and understand the needs of
independent school boards, and have a workshop and system that is
tailored to your needs.
Whether
you want to be more effective in board governance, supercharge your
leadership team, effectively implement a strategic plan, or develop
plans for future growth, I can help. I want to become your trusted
advisor, a partner as invested in your future as you are. My firm is
committed to providing customized solutions for your School, including:
- Starting New Schools & Mergers
- Strategic Planning
- Board Governance
- Head of School Evaluations & Support
- Executive Searches
- Institutional Assessments & Audits
- Publication Development & Admissions
- International Marketing & Recruiting
- Market and Constituency Surveys
- Policy, Handbook, & Bylaw Development
- Fundraising & Development
You can be the greatest leader in the world, but that won’t do you any good if you can’t help your board govern effectively. Exceptional Schools Owe Their Success To Exceptional Boards. Are you one of those?
Look
at your day-timer now, figure out when would be a good time to hold the
workshop and get started on making a lasting difference to your board
and your school. What a great way to refocus for the coming school
year!!! Remember, most average leaders will put this letter down on
their desk for the summer and get back to it later. Get your day timer
out now and set a date.
To find out more about our Board Governance Performance Workshop by clicking here , or you contact us.
I look forward to learning more about your institution and helping to make your goals a reality.
Don’t wait…let’s make it happen!! Please call me at 604-868-0002 or email me at info@halladayeducationgroup.com to take the next step.
To your success,
Douglas Halladay, B.A., B.ED., M.A.
President and Founder
Halladay Education Group Inc. |
 |
P.S I have a FREE Bonus. I will share with you a Special Report as a thank you: “The 12 Pillars of Exceptional Boards. ”
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