Catholic School GovernanceCatholic School Governance

The Mission and Function of The Mission and Function of Education Commissions & BoardsEducation Commissions & Boards

PrayerPrayer

Eternal GodEternal God

Bless all of our schools that they may be Bless all of our schools that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;

And grant that those who govern, those who And grant that those who govern, those who administer and teach, and those who learn administer and teach, and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth. may find you to be the source of all truth.

These things we ask in the name of Jesus These things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.Christ, Our Lord.

Amen Amen

QuestionsQuestions

Why do we have commissions/boards?Why do we have commissions/boards? What is the authority of a What is the authority of a

commission/board?commission/board? What are the areas of responsibility of a What are the areas of responsibility of a

commission/board?commission/board? How should a commission/board function?How should a commission/board function? What are key characteristics of an effective What are key characteristics of an effective

commission/board, commission/board commission/board, commission/board members, schools?members, schools?

What is a Catholic Education What is a Catholic Education Commission/School Board?Commission/School Board?

A Catholic education commission/school board is a governing body whose members participate in the educational mission of the Church in collaboration with dioceses, religious congregations, bishops, pastors, and school administrators by acting as fiduciaries* for the Catholic community and by providing long-range direction for the school. *A guardian, one who has discretion, who will act with care, skill, prudence, and diligence as a prudent person in similar circumstances would act.

WHY DO WE HAVE WHY DO WE HAVE COMMISSIONS/BOARDS?COMMISSIONS/BOARDS?

Reasons for Reasons for Commissions/BoardsCommissions/Boards

To provide for stability & continuityTo provide for stability & continuity To assure fidelity to missionTo assure fidelity to mission To insure organizational effectivenessTo insure organizational effectiveness To serve as a positive voice for the To serve as a positive voice for the

schoolschool

To provide resources for the To provide resources for the school/connect the school to resourcesschool/connect the school to resources

To provide for collaboration, To provide for collaboration, participation, ownership, & common participation, ownership, & common visionvision

To enable leadershipTo enable leadershipTo provide for multiperspectivalismTo provide for multiperspectivalism

[Different analytic perspectives which contribute to the [Different analytic perspectives which contribute to the elucidation of an issue or a problem.]elucidation of an issue or a problem.]

To provide direction in policy, planning, To provide direction in policy, planning, & finance& finance

WHAT IS THE AUTHORITY WHAT IS THE AUTHORITY OF A OF A

COMMISSION/BOARD?COMMISSION/BOARD?

AdvisoryAdvisory

GovernanceGovernance Gives advice.Gives advice.

DifferencesDifferencesbetweenbetween

Catholic School BoardCatholic School Board provides Catholic provides Catholic

education to those who education to those who choose it,choose it,

responsible for responsible for direction direction of one school,of one school,

advisory, consultative or advisory, consultative or limited in jurisdictionlimited in jurisdiction

Established by Established by Episcopal/Congregational Episcopal/Congregational mandatemandate

Public School BoardPublic School Board provides free education provides free education

for allfor all

responsible for the responsible for the general operationgeneral operation of a of a systemsystem

regulatory in natureregulatory in nature

established by civil lawestablished by civil law

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesCatholic SchoolsCatholic Schools

Board/Commission:Board/Commission: Formulates & Adapts Formulates & Adapts PolicyPolicy

AuthorityAuthority: Enacts : Enacts PolicyPolicy

President/PrincipaPresident/Principal: l: Initiates & Implements Initiates & Implements PolicyPolicy

Public SchoolsPublic Schools

LegislatureLegislature: Initiates, : Initiates, formulates, Adapts, & formulates, Adapts, & Enacts PolicyEnacts Policy

State Board of State Board of EducationEducation: Establishes : Establishes RegulationsRegulations

Local Board &Local Board & Superintendent: Superintendent: Implements RegulationsImplements Regulations

PrincipalPrincipal: Manages: Manages

The Authority of the The Authority of the Commission/BoardCommission/Board

The commission/board has the authority to The commission/board has the authority to make [recommend] any and all policy decisions make [recommend] any and all policy decisions which it judges to be for the good of the school which it judges to be for the good of the school in keeping with the in keeping with the limits of its jurisdictionlimits of its jurisdiction..

The administrator should be allowed The administrator should be allowed discretionary actiondiscretionary action in the implementation of in the implementation of commission/board policies.commission/board policies.

The commission/board does NOT exercise The commission/board does NOT exercise administrative authority [except in keeping with administrative authority [except in keeping with a written policy to hire the administrator who a written policy to hire the administrator who then administrates the school].then administrates the school].

The administrator may seek the advice of the The administrator may seek the advice of the board in administrative decisions but is not board in administrative decisions but is not required to do so.required to do so.

The administrator has full authority in the day-to-The administrator has full authority in the day-to-day operation of the school within the day operation of the school within the commission’s/board’s policy mandates.commission’s/board’s policy mandates.

The role of the administrator in a Catholic school The role of the administrator in a Catholic school is akin to superintendent AND principal in a is akin to superintendent AND principal in a public school.public school.

Members of the commission/board act Members of the commission/board act officially or with the authority of the officially or with the authority of the commission/board commission/board ONLYONLY when meeting as a commission/board: the when meeting as a commission/board: the

commission/board does not exist outside commission/board does not exist outside of the commission/board meeting,of the commission/board meeting,

when directed in a meeting to act for the when directed in a meeting to act for the commission/board,commission/board,

when authority to act is given explicitly in when authority to act is given explicitly in the constitution or by-laws.the constitution or by-laws.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF REPONSIBILITY REPONSIBILITY

OF A CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF A CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMISSION/BOARD?COMMISSION/BOARD?

Mission EffectivenessMission Effectiveness PlanningPlanning

Policy FormationPolicy Formation FinancesFinances

Selection & Support of LeadershipSelection & Support of Leadership Development, Public Relations, & Development, Public Relations, &

MarketingMarketing EvaluationEvaluation

ASSURE MISSION ASSURE MISSION EFFECTIVENESSEFFECTIVENESS

Fundamental to an institution’s performance Fundamental to an institution’s performance is a clear, strong mission and purpose. A is a clear, strong mission and purpose. A successful organization must know successful organization must know whatwhat it it does, does, whywhy it does it and it does it and whomwhom it serves. it serves.

The statement of mission should also explain The statement of mission should also explain what makes the organization distinctive and what makes the organization distinctive and special and present compelling reasons for special and present compelling reasons for individuals and groups to support it. individuals and groups to support it.

What is the Mission of Catholic What is the Mission of Catholic Education?Education?

Catholic education is an Catholic education is an expression of the expression of the missionmission entrusted by Jesus to the Church entrusted by Jesus to the Church He founded. He founded.

Through education the Church seeks to Through education the Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation News and to translate this proclamation into action. into action.

Since the Christian vocation is a call to Since the Christian vocation is a call to transform oneselftransform oneself and and societsociety with God’s y with God’s help, the educational efforts of the Church help, the educational efforts of the Church must encompass the twin purposes of must encompass the twin purposes of personal sanctificationpersonal sanctification and and social reformsocial reform in in light of Christian values.light of Christian values.

[[To Teach as Jesus DidTo Teach as Jesus Did, ,

1972]1972]

……the [Catholic school] is educating its the [Catholic school] is educating its student to promote effectively the student to promote effectively the welfare of the earthly city, and preparing welfare of the earthly city, and preparing them to serve the advancement of the them to serve the advancement of the reign of God. The purpose in view is reign of God. The purpose in view is that by living an exemplary and that by living an exemplary and apostolic life, the Catholic graduate can apostolic life, the Catholic graduate can become the become the saving leavensaving leaven of the human of the human family family [[Declaration on Christian Education, 1966Declaration on Christian Education, 1966].].

[The Catholic school aims] to develop in the [The Catholic school aims] to develop in the school community an atmosphere animated school community an atmosphere animated by a spirit of liberty and charity based on the by a spirit of liberty and charity based on the Gospel. It enables young people, while Gospel. It enables young people, while developing their own personalities, to grow at developing their own personalities, to grow at the same time in that new life which has been the same time in that new life which has been given them in Baptism. Finally it so directs given them in Baptism. Finally it so directs the whole of human culture to the message of the whole of human culture to the message of salvation that the salvation that the knowledgeknowledge which the which the pupils acquire of the world, of life and of pupils acquire of the world, of life and of humanity humanity is illumined by faithis illumined by faith

[[Declaration on Christian Declaration on Christian Education, 1966Education, 1966].].

[The Catholic school has as its aim]…the [The Catholic school has as its aim]…the total formationtotal formation of the individual….These of the individual….These premises indicate the duties and the content premises indicate the duties and the content of the Catholic school. Its task is of the Catholic school. Its task is fundamentally a synthesis of culture and faith, fundamentally a synthesis of culture and faith, and a synthesis of faith and life; the first is and a synthesis of faith and life; the first is reached by integrating all the different reached by integrating all the different aspects of human knowledge through the aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught, in the light of the Gospel; the subjects taught, in the light of the Gospel; the second is the growth of the virtues second is the growth of the virtues characteristic of the Christian characteristic of the Christian

[[The Catholic School, The Catholic School, Congregation for Catholic Education, 1977]Congregation for Catholic Education, 1977]

The Role of Catholic School The Role of Catholic School Governance in Assuring Governance in Assuring

Mission EffectiveMission Effective Understand mission and purposeUnderstand mission and purpose Be committed to the missionBe committed to the mission Let mission drive decision making, Let mission drive decision making,

organizational planning, assessment, & organizational planning, assessment, & accountability: Integrate mission & accountability: Integrate mission & values into operationsvalues into operations

Articulate core documentsArticulate core documents

Educate its membersEducate its members Evaluate mission effectiveness:Evaluate mission effectiveness:

Do decisions of the commission promote & Do decisions of the commission promote & reflect the values articulated in the mission reflect the values articulated in the mission statement of the school?statement of the school?

Is the school remaining true to its original Is the school remaining true to its original purposes?purposes?

Review the mission statement for Review the mission statement for adequacy, accuracy, and validityadequacy, accuracy, and validity

PLANNINGPLANNING The process of The process of

determining what a determining what a school intends to school intends to be in the future and be in the future and how it will get how it will get there,there,

Planning for an Planning for an institution’s future institution’s future is critical for its is critical for its successsuccess

PLANNINGPLANNING gives the commission/board purpose and gives the commission/board purpose and

focuses its energyfocuses its energy is proactive: Translates the mission of the is proactive: Translates the mission of the

school into objectives and goals that can be school into objectives and goals that can be accomplishedaccomplished

is done in cooperation with the is done in cooperation with the pastor/president/principal pastor/president/principal

is long-range—a definition of & a blueprint is long-range—a definition of & a blueprint for the school’s desired futurefor the school’s desired future

WHY PLAN?WHY PLAN?

TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCETO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE TO STIMULATE FORWARD THINKINGTO STIMULATE FORWARD THINKING TO BUILD TEAMWORK AND TO BUILD TEAMWORK AND

EXPERTISEEXPERTISE TO INFLUENCE RATHER THAN BE TO INFLUENCE RATHER THAN BE

INFLUENCEDINFLUENCED TO PROVIDE DIRECTIONTO PROVIDE DIRECTION

The Role of Catholic School The Role of Catholic School Governance in PlanningGovernance in Planning

To initiate and “own” the plan.To initiate and “own” the plan. To support, renew, and approve the planTo support, renew, and approve the plan To actively participate in the planning To actively participate in the planning

process by asking good questions, process by asking good questions, expecting good answers, and serving as expecting good answers, and serving as resources in areas of personal and resources in areas of personal and professional expertise.professional expertise.

Planning involvesPlanning involves

Catholic identityCatholic identity Religious educationReligious education Programs/activitiesPrograms/activities Public relationsPublic relations DevelopmentDevelopment PersonnelPersonnel Spiritual growthSpiritual growth Academic curriculumAcademic curriculum

MarketingMarketing Plant & facilitiesPlant & facilities FinanceFinance GovernanceGovernance ParentsParents RecruitmentRecruitment School communitySchool community Mission integrationMission integration

Characteristics of PoliciesCharacteristics of Policies

Policies are broad, Policies are broad, general, and direction general, and direction setting statements or setting statements or guidelines.guidelines.

Some policies call for Some policies call for regulations to set a regulations to set a tone or to establish tone or to establish the schools position.the schools position.

Formulating policy is Formulating policy is the responsibility of the responsibility of the board.the board.

Regulations are specific, Regulations are specific, concrete, and tightly concrete, and tightly written.written.

Some administrative Some administrative regulations arise our of regulations arise our of necessity and do not flow necessity and do not flow from policy.from policy.

Determining how policy is Determining how policy is to be implemented is the to be implemented is the responsibility of the responsibility of the pastor and his pastor and his administratoradministrator

Policies:Policies:

clarify expectations for students, parents, teachers, & clarify expectations for students, parents, teachers, & othersothers

codify and preserve board decisionscodify and preserve board decisions foster continuity and consistencyfoster continuity and consistency are intermediaries between the school’s philosophy and are intermediaries between the school’s philosophy and

objectives and its regulations, programs, procedures, objectives and its regulations, programs, procedures, and organizational structures and organizational structures

give general direction to the administration give general direction to the administration (pastor/principal/president)(pastor/principal/president)

anticipate and forestall crisesanticipate and forestall crises reduce subjectivity, inconsistency and arbitrarinessreduce subjectivity, inconsistency and arbitrariness

Policies Policies CANNOTCANNOT control or supervise the administratorcontrol or supervise the administrator resolve specific problems after the factresolve specific problems after the fact address isolated cases, exceptions, address isolated cases, exceptions,

petty itempetty item substitute for programssubstitute for programs be in conflict with diocesan or be in conflict with diocesan or

congregation policycongregation policy

Good Policies:Good Policies:

respond to/anticipate needrespond to/anticipate needare clear enough to give guidance are clear enough to give guidance

and broad enough to give spaceand broad enough to give spaceare written down in plain languageare written down in plain languageare effectively communicatedare effectively communicatedare regularly evaluated (annually)are regularly evaluated (annually)

Getting to PolicyGetting to Policy1.1. Determine the need.Determine the need.2.2. Identify the issues and facts.Identify the issues and facts.3.3. Gather relevant data.Gather relevant data.4.4. Draft the policy [consider and be able to Draft the policy [consider and be able to

explain the rational and the consequences].explain the rational and the consequences].5.5. Present & clarify.Present & clarify.6.6. Consult if/as appropriate.Consult if/as appropriate.7.7. Discuss & vote: accept, amend, defeat, table, Discuss & vote: accept, amend, defeat, table,

send back to committee for reworking.send back to committee for reworking.8.8. Gain approval by appropriate authority.Gain approval by appropriate authority.9.9. Promulgate.Promulgate.10.10. Follow-up.Follow-up.

FINANCESFINANCES

The Commission/Board:The Commission/Board: provides financial oversight assures that fiscal policies and practices are

mission focused develops the budget and provides for a

realistic funding of the budget. ensures adequate resources and monitors

their use. oversees financial management by

developing policies which will ensure a financially efficient operations.

provides for reasonable tuition, just salaries, financial aid, and adequate maintenance & development of property and plant.

provides for financial accountability by reviewing the monthly/quarterly statements of account

oversees investments by formulating and monitoring an investment policy and strategy

maintains fiscal transparency

SELECTION & SUPPORT OF SELECTION & SUPPORT OF LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP

The administrator is the leader of the The administrator is the leader of the school, possessing full administrative school, possessing full administrative responsibility for the school under the responsibility for the school under the authority of the pastor/president.authority of the pastor/president.

Selection of the administrator must conform Selection of the administrator must conform to diocesan/congregational policy.to diocesan/congregational policy.

Research states that the administrator is the Research states that the administrator is the key to the success of the school.key to the success of the school.

The administration (pastor, principal, The administration (pastor, principal, president) needs, expects, and has the president) needs, expects, and has the right to the support of and positive right to the support of and positive reinforcement by the commission/board reinforcement by the commission/board collectively and individually.collectively and individually.

For good relations, clarify roles and For good relations, clarify roles and responsibilities, keep one another responsibilities, keep one another informed, and understand each others’ informed, and understand each others’ roles. roles.

DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS,PUBLIC RELATIONS,

& MARKETING& MARKETINGA major role of governance is to insure A major role of governance is to insure that an institution has the resources to be that an institution has the resources to be effective: effective: The quality and quantity of The quality and quantity of students who use the school’s students who use the school’s services, friends who understand and services, friends who understand and appreciate the mission and role of the appreciate the mission and role of the school,school, and funds for capital and and funds for capital and operating purposesoperating purposes are essential are essential resources every school needs. resources every school needs.

DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS,PUBLIC RELATIONS,

& MARKETING& MARKETINGA systematic effortA systematic effort to attract funds for the schoolto attract funds for the school to attract friends for the schoolto attract friends for the school to build confidence in the to build confidence in the

school for the long termschool for the long term to enable the public to know to enable the public to know

about and understand the about and understand the schoolschool

to create good willto create good will to attract students to the schoolto attract students to the school to realize the school’s desired to realize the school’s desired

futurefuture

The Role of the The Role of the Commission/Board in Commission/Board in

Development, PR & MarketingDevelopment, PR & Marketing to provide leadership in creating, to provide leadership in creating,

adopting, and monitoring planning for adopting, and monitoring planning for each areaeach area

to be askers--under the direction of to be askers--under the direction of development staffdevelopment staff

to be cultivators--create a positive to be cultivators--create a positive awareness of the school through awareness of the school through advocacyadvocacy

to be ambassadors--enhance the school’s to be ambassadors--enhance the school’s public standing & ensure a healthy and public standing & ensure a healthy and accurate imageaccurate image

to be identifiers--identifying gift to be identifiers--identifying gift opportunitiesopportunities

to help realistically access the feasibility of to help realistically access the feasibility of fund-raising goalsfund-raising goals

to ensure adequate budgeting for to ensure adequate budgeting for developmentdevelopment

EVALUATIONEVALUATION

Assessing effectivenessAssessing effectiveness

by monitoring and oversight,by monitoring and oversight,

that is, by asking the right that is, by asking the right questions and expecting good questions and expecting good

answersanswers

The Role of the The Role of the Commission/Board in Commission/Board in

EVALUATIONEVALUATION evaluate its internal evaluate its internal

operations:operations: compositioncomposition process of identifying new process of identifying new

membersmembers committee structure & committee structure &

functioningfunctioning meetingsmeetings relationships with key relationships with key

constituenciesconstituencies overall performanceoverall performance

evaluate its external evaluate its external effectivenesseffectiveness

evaluate its relationship evaluate its relationship with the pastor, principal, with the pastor, principal, presidentpresident

enable an evaluation of enable an evaluation of programs to ensure that programs to ensure that they are of high quality they are of high quality and consistent with the and consistent with the mission of a Catholic mission of a Catholic schoolschool

enable a professional enable a professional evaluation of the principal evaluation of the principal through the Office of through the Office of Catholic SchoolsCatholic Schools

Professional Evaluation Professional Evaluation of the Principalof the Principal

The principal of the school deals with all The principal of the school deals with all the individuals and constituencies in the the individuals and constituencies in the school. Consequently, the principal school. Consequently, the principal moves in an atmosphere of constant moves in an atmosphere of constant approval, criticism, pressure, acceptance, approval, criticism, pressure, acceptance, gossip, and informal evaluation. gossip, and informal evaluation.

To make a principal less vulnerable to casual, To make a principal less vulnerable to casual, partisan evaluations, a professional evaluation partisan evaluations, a professional evaluation based on agreed upon professional expectations based on agreed upon professional expectations is conducted via the Office of Catholic Schools.is conducted via the Office of Catholic Schools.

Evaluation should empower, build confidence, Evaluation should empower, build confidence, and encourage as well as stimulate discussion of and encourage as well as stimulate discussion of goals and focus energy. goals and focus energy.

Both governance members and the administration Both governance members and the administration (pastor, principal, president) need to understand (pastor, principal, president) need to understand that their effectiveness is interdependent--the that their effectiveness is interdependent--the success of one is the success of the other.success of one is the success of the other.

One Additional One Additional Board/Commission RoleBoard/Commission Role::

Generativity Generativity Recruit, communication expectations, & orient new Recruit, communication expectations, & orient new

members for the commission/boardmembers for the commission/board Assess & define membership needs: experience, Assess & define membership needs: experience,

skills, influence, affluence, demographic, etc. skills, influence, affluence, demographic, etc. Orient new members to how the commission/board Orient new members to how the commission/board

functions & its members (by-laws)functions & its members (by-laws) Orient new members to the organization that is the Orient new members to the organization that is the

school: its mission, programs, services, goals, and school: its mission, programs, services, goals, and aspirations as well as issues and opportunitiesaspirations as well as issues and opportunities

The Basic Focus of a The Basic Focus of a Commission/Board:Commission/Board:

a Summary a Summary

Mission: Understand, Articulate, LiveMission: Understand, Articulate, Live The Future: Ensure it & Provide for itThe Future: Ensure it & Provide for it

The Commission’s/Board’s The Commission’s/Board’s Basic Responsibilities: a Basic Responsibilities: a

SummarySummary Enable mission effectiveness & purposeEnable mission effectiveness & purpose

Ensure effective planningEnsure effective planning Provide overall direction Provide overall direction

Ensure adequate resources & monitor their effective Ensure adequate resources & monitor their effective useuse

Select and support the administration (pastor, Select and support the administration (pastor, principal, president)principal, president)

Enhance public imageEnhance public image Assess and review performanceAssess and review performance Monitor programs and servicesMonitor programs and services

HOW SHOULD A HOW SHOULD A COMMISSION/BOARD COMMISSION/BOARD

FUNCTION?FUNCTION?

By-LawsBy-Laws

Clearly WrittenClearly Written FollowedFollowed TemplateTemplate

Characteristics of an Effective Characteristics of an Effective Board MeetingBoard Meeting

PlanningPlanning

Clear Time LimitsClear Time Limits

Organized FormatOrganized Format

Follow-upFollow-up

PlanningPlanning

Prepared Agenda: Prepared Agenda: Sent out in advanceSent out in advance

Effective Committee Effective Committee Structure: Process Structure: Process business of the business of the Commission through Commission through its committeesits committees

Clear Time LimitsClear Time Limits

Meet Expectations!Meet Expectations!

Start on Time.Start on Time.

Set an Ending Time.Set an Ending Time.

End on Time.End on Time.

Organized FormatOrganized Format

Take Minutes: Take Minutes: Who, Who, What, When .What, When .

Follow Established Follow Established Procedures.Procedures.

Enable Adequate Enable Adequate Dialog.Dialog.

Stay Focused.Stay Focused. Consider Only Consider Only

Pertinent Items.Pertinent Items.

No Committee Work – No Committee Work – only discussion of that only discussion of that workwork

Avoid Information Items – Avoid Information Items – they should be in the they should be in the reports sent out before the reports sent out before the meetingmeeting

Avoid items not in Avoid items not in commission’s authoritycommission’s authority

Do not try to deal with Do not try to deal with everythingeverything!!

Follow-upFollow-up

Circulate Written Circulate Written Minutes.Minutes.

Check on the Check on the Progress of Action Progress of Action Items.Items.

Evaluate Evaluate Effectiveness of Effectiveness of Decisions.Decisions.

AttendanceAttendance

Number of MeetingsNumber of Meetings

Focus of MeetingsFocus of Meetings

Length of MeetingsLength of Meetings

Meetings Open or Closed Meetings Open or Closed

KEYKEY

An Effective Board An Effective Board Chair:Chair:

A person who keeps A person who keeps the meeting and the the meeting and the

groupgroup

FOCUSEDFOCUSED

&&

ON TASKON TASK

Effective Board CommitteesEffective Board Committees

RationaleRationale

Efficient way to handle. Efficient way to handle. responsibilities of the responsibilities of the board.board.

Given the scope of the Given the scope of the task, a method of working task, a method of working effectively.effectively.

Small group can handle Small group can handle issues in depth & get in issues in depth & get in depth knowledge.depth knowledge.

Small group can get Small group can get specialized information.specialized information.

RoleRole

Process all work of the Process all work of the boardboard

Examine issues in its Examine issues in its competence in depthcompetence in depth

Review & recommend Review & recommend policies & actions in its policies & actions in its area of competence to the area of competence to the pastor, principal, presidentpastor, principal, president

Common Standing CommitteesCommon Standing Committees

Executive CommitteeExecutive Committee Building & GroundsBuilding & Grounds FinanceFinance Board DevelopmentBoard Development

Institutional Institutional AdvancementAdvancement

Academic/Student Academic/Student ActivitiesActivities

Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning Mission EffectivenessMission Effectiveness

What the Principal DoesWhat the Principal Does

Act as executive officer of the Commission/ Act as executive officer of the Commission/ Board under the authority of the Board under the authority of the pastor/presidentpastor/president

May work with chair to prepare agendaMay work with chair to prepare agenda Interprets the needs of the school, and Interprets the needs of the school, and

prepares & submit appropriate policy prepares & submit appropriate policy recommendationsrecommendations

Provides direction to the Commission/BoardProvides direction to the Commission/Board Keep the Commission/Board informedKeep the Commission/Board informed

What the Commission/ What the Commission/ Board DoesBoard Does

Discuss to decide.Discuss to decide. Give advice & counsel to the administration Give advice & counsel to the administration

(pastor, principal, president)(pastor, principal, president) Contribute the benefits of its perspective, its Contribute the benefits of its perspective, its

experience, and its familiarity with the experience, and its familiarity with the community community

Identify and provide resourcesIdentify and provide resources

What a Commission/Board What a Commission/Board in a Catholic School Does in a Catholic School Does

NOT Do!NOT Do! Act as a grievance committee or Act as a grievance committee or

conciliatorsconciliators Hire, evaluate, or terminate faculty/staffHire, evaluate, or terminate faculty/staff Administer the schoolAdminister the school Tell the administration how to administer Tell the administration how to administer

the schoolthe school

Pitfalls to Avoid in Decision Pitfalls to Avoid in Decision MakingMaking

VoteVote RailroadingRailroading

Hidden AgendasHidden Agendas Hand ClaspingHand Clasping

Avoiding the IssueAvoiding the Issue Begging the QuestionBegging the Question

The Most Difficult Things for The Most Difficult Things for Board Members to LearnBoard Members to Learn

No authority as an individualNo authority as an individual Differences between formulating policy & Differences between formulating policy &

administering the schooladministering the school Considering the total pictureConsidering the total picture Dealing with individual complaints & concernsDealing with individual complaints & concerns That change comes slowlyThat change comes slowly That you can’t solve everyone’s problemThat you can’t solve everyone’s problem Holding one point of view & supporting anotherHolding one point of view & supporting another Board Room Vs. Parking LotBoard Room Vs. Parking Lot

Membership of the Membership of the Commission/BoardCommission/Board

The membership of the governance body (appointed by The membership of the governance body (appointed by the pastor or president) determines what this body is the pastor or president) determines what this body is capable of being. A commission should represent the capable of being. A commission should represent the three w’s: Work, wealth (talent), & wisdom.three w’s: Work, wealth (talent), & wisdom.

The governance body needs a range of talent, The governance body needs a range of talent, experience, and knowledge to accomplish its role.experience, and knowledge to accomplish its role.

Members of the governance serve the institution, not a Members of the governance serve the institution, not a constituency. constituency.

Qualities of Commission/Board Qualities of Commission/Board MembersMembers

A genuine interest in Catholic school educationA genuine interest in Catholic school education A willingness to work with others in achieving consensus A willingness to work with others in achieving consensus

decisionsdecisions A willingness to make the time commitmentA willingness to make the time commitment A willingness to maintain confidentialityA willingness to maintain confidentiality Credible witness to the Catholic faith Credible witness to the Catholic faith Supportive of the administration (pastor, principal, president)Supportive of the administration (pastor, principal, president) PrudencePrudence ObjectivityObjectivity Courage to face unpleasant tasks & decisionsCourage to face unpleasant tasks & decisions A willingness to support board decisions, even if not fully agreed A willingness to support board decisions, even if not fully agreed

withwith

IndividualIndividual Responsibilities of Responsibilities of Members of Catholic School Members of Catholic School

Boards/CommissionsBoards/CommissionsGENERAL: Know the school’s mission, goals, policies,

programs, services, strengths, and needs Fulfill duties responsibly Help perpetuate the board/commission Serve in leadership positions Avoid judgments based on inadequate

information & refer those with grievances to follow established procedure

Bring good will and a sense of humor to the deliberations of the board/commission

MEETINGS: [General & Committee] Be prepared & participate Ask timely and substantive questions Support the decisions reached Maintain confidentiality Speak for the board only when authorized

RELATIONSHIPS: Support the pastor, principal, president Don’t ask for special favors Serve the organization as a whole, not any

special interest group Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of

interest Be objective and act out of fairness and

personal integrity

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES:FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Exercise prudence especially regarding financial

matters Faithfully read and seek to understand the

information necessary to give direction to the organization

FUNDRAISING: Assist in development by implementing

fundraising strategies and using personal influence with others

Board Source: Building Effective Nonprofit Boards

Four Key Characteristics of An Four Key Characteristics of An Effective School BoardEffective School Board

The BoardThe Board understands its primary roleunderstands its primary role places a high priority on the recruitment of places a high priority on the recruitment of

new board membersnew board members keeps informedkeeps informed measures board performance and activitymeasures board performance and activity

““The board leader represents not only The board leader represents not only what we are, but above all what we what we are, but above all what we know the organization should be. know the organization should be. Membership on a board is not power, it Membership on a board is not power, it is responsibility. What I mean by this is is responsibility. What I mean by this is responsibility not just to the responsibility not just to the organization, but to the board itself, to organization, but to the board itself, to the staff and to the institution’s mission.”the staff and to the institution’s mission.”

Peter DruckerPeter Drucker

Success Markers for SchoolsSuccess Markers for Schools They are strongly mission-driven.They are strongly mission-driven. They have developed a practicable They have developed a practicable

strategic financial plan.strategic financial plan. They are tuition-driven rather than being They are tuition-driven rather than being

dependent on fund-raising to balance dependent on fund-raising to balance their operating budgets.their operating budgets.

They understand marketing and do it They understand marketing and do it well.well.

They look for balance of talent in their They look for balance of talent in their boards.boards.

Top Stability MarkersTop Stability Markers Stable schools will have a board-level mission statement.Stable schools will have a board-level mission statement. Stable schools will carefully tend and nurture a major gifts program Stable schools will carefully tend and nurture a major gifts program

that has reached and sustained its own organizational maturity.that has reached and sustained its own organizational maturity. Stable schools will have substantial cash reserves.Stable schools will have substantial cash reserves. Stable schools will have established an endowment-building process.Stable schools will have established an endowment-building process. Stable schools will think of faculty/staff professional development as a Stable schools will think of faculty/staff professional development as a

core component in instructional and academic excellence, and will core component in instructional and academic excellence, and will have developed operational budgets that reflect that thinking.have developed operational budgets that reflect that thinking.

Stable schools will have substantial annual budgets for faculty/staff Stable schools will have substantial annual budgets for faculty/staff recruitment.recruitment.

Stable schools will provide a range of fringe benefits for faculty/staff.Stable schools will provide a range of fringe benefits for faculty/staff. Stable schools will have a “profiled board” (individuals who fit a profile Stable schools will have a “profiled board” (individuals who fit a profile

of talent that derived from a strategic plan).of talent that derived from a strategic plan). Stable schools will have a collaborative pastor/president –principal Stable schools will have a collaborative pastor/president –principal

relationship relationship

Thank you Thank you for your for your service, dedication and service, dedication and

commitment to furthering commitment to furthering the mission of our the mission of our Catholic schools! Catholic schools!