Building Boards for Success: Creating Accountability from the Board October 29, 2013 Lisa Diaz Co-Founder

2 Introduction Ground Rules:

3 Session Outcomes: 1) Build a shared understanding of mission, vision and associated planning processes. 2) Create an understanding of how to build and measure strategic pillars, goals and objectives. 3) To provide participants with a strategy and tool to use in planning and board building.

4 Good News?!

5 Case Study: What are the most important issues in this case? What do you think should be done first to address the issue? What could have been done differently to avoid this situation?

6 Overview of the Strategic Planning Process Strategic Planning Research and Evaluation Mission, Vision, and Strategic Pillars Environmental Scan (focus groups/stakeholder interviews) Strategic Goals and Objectives Evaluation Metrics

7 Mission & Vision Environmental Scan Strategic Pillars Goals & Objectives Outcomes to measure effectiveness Strategic Plan Year 1 outputs Action steps to reach your outputs Organizational staffing needs and assignments Budget and fundraising needs Operational Plan Organization reivew - strategic positioning Industry research- target market & competition assessments Product prospect market assessment Management plan for implementation Sales and marketing plan Milestones and budget Business Plan

8 Mission vs. Vision Mission Statement: A one-sentence statement describing the reason an organization or program exists and used to help guide decisions about priorities, actions, and responsibilities. Teach for America is growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education. Vision Statement: (Desired End-State) A statement describing the clear and inspirational long-term desired change resulting from an organization or program’s work. Teach for America: One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

9 Mission and Vision Goals and Objectives Strategic Pillar

10 Performance Tracking Share Input Tracking Tool

11 Mission and Vision Goals and Objectives Challenge and Engage all students Parent- Community Engagement Strengthen Teaching Sustainability

12 Pillar: Parent and Community Engagement Goal Educate the local community about XYZ Academy and the benefits it brings to the community to generate increased local support for the school. Objectives Annually, XYZ Academy directly engages with community organizations and local businesses to increase their exposure, understanding and involvement with the Academy.

13 Pillar: Parent and Community Engagement Outcomes By 2014, enrollment demand has increased by 10% as measured by completed applications. By 2016, the community has a positive opinion of and commitment to XYZ Academy as measured by a 15% increase in community volunteers supporting the school. Outputs By, January 15, 2014, XYZ Academy’s website will be populated with engaging information about the students and families associated with our school. By, June 30, 2014, XYZ Academy will have a 50% increase in followers on Facebook and Twitter. By, September 2014, XYZ Academy will have a comprehensive plan to engage local community and business leaders around school needs.

14 Strategic Recruitment

15 Identify Its important to know who you are and what skill sets you have on the board. What skills are you looking for? How do potential board members know what skill sets you are looking? Where do you go to identify a good candidate?

16 Cultivation Can be the work of a committee. Cultivation = building relationships. Develop board member info sheet. Should include a menu of options for involvement.

17 Nominate Should consider board self evaluation. Should be a formal process. Should ensure overall consensus.

18 Orient Not an overnight process. Develop a process. Who all should be included in the process? How do you organize the process?

19 Skill Development Why do we need skill development? Who can help us with skill development? What should development look like?

20 Term Expiration or Term Limits- Self Assessment Schedule strategic planning. Understand your bylaws. Have a record of term expirations. Utilize a self assessment for the board.

Resources: 21 The Center for Charter Schools. Board Essentials. The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University. DeKuyper, Mary Hundley. Trustee Handbook: A Guide to Effective Governance For Independent School Boards. National Association of Independent Schools BoardSource. The Source 12: Twelve Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards. BoardSource Ingram, Richard T. Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards. BoardSource. Carver, John. Boards That Make a Difference: A New Design for Leadership in Nonprofit and Public Organizations. Lakey, Berit M. The Board Building Cycle: Nine Steps to Finding, Recruiting, and Engaging Nonprofit Board Members. BoardSource. Carpenter, Brian L. Charter School Board University: An Introduction to Effective Charter School Governance. National Charter Schools Institute. Cornell Feist, Marci. Board Meetings: A Guide for Charter Schools. The High Bar

22 CONTACT INFO/QUESTIONS Orlando Castellon Director for Board Appointments and Development Lisa Diaz Co-founder, Insignia Partners

CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED BY CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY