Governance
Supporting small school board members to be “lifelong learners” through board orientation, retreats, workshops, & Board Chair coaching
We help board members understand and implement
the 3 Rights
Acies Strategies approaches board professional development, orientation, retreats, and assessment with great respect and admiration for the strengths and gifts that small school board members bring. We recognize that you are looking for meaningful, relevant, hands-on training that is respectful of your limited time and budgets, and that provides information not only about what board members should be focusing on and doing, but also how to accomplish your governance responsibilities.
Offerings
Board Orientation/Retreats
Acies Strategies provides individualized retreats and board orientation for small school boards, tailored to their current needs. These half or full-day engagements are best conducted in person to gain maximum impact. Retreat/Orientation topics might include board and administration roles and responsibilities, onboarding new members, thinking strategically, financial oversight and foresight, etc.
Contact Brooke to learn more about how to schedule a board orientation or retreat.
Board Workshops
Boards often need shorter, targeted training on a specific topic. Workshops are typically 1.5 to 3 hours long and can be held in person or virtually. Topics include:
An Overview of Effective Governance Practices (including roles and responsibilities, decision-making, parents on the board, legal responsibilities, and how to think and plan strategically and generatively)
Financial planning for stability and success
Recruiting, orienting, and onboarding the "right" board members
Roles, responsibilities, relationships- maximizing the collaboration between the board and the administration.
Facilitating Effective and Productive Meetings
The Board's Role in Development and Fundraising
Contact Brooke to learn more about how to schedule a board workshop.
Board Chair Coaching
Board Chairs play an extremely important role on the board and in collaboration with their Head of School. It can be a lonely job and Board Chairs benefit from having support in fulfilling their role.
I've teamed up with governance expert and coach Mike Hanas to offer a year-long group coaching experience for Board Chairs. Participants in this group coaching experience will benefit from learning in the supportive context of a community of practice with fellow Board Chairs, led by experienced coaches.
Board Process Observation and Support
Many boards benefit from having an outside, impartial expert observe their board meeting processes and provide constructive feedback. Sign up for year-long support by having Brooke support 2-4 board meetings. She will meet with board/school leaders before the board meeting to discuss the agenda and provide feedback on the planning process, observe each meeting, and then meet with leaders following the meeting to provide constructive suggestions for improvements.
Contact Brooke to learn more about how to schedule board process observation and support.