School Advancement Institute Files-Advancement, the Board, and the Head

Advancement, the Board, and the Head

Pdf Summary

The document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and Head of School at an educational institution, with a focus on advancement and support in school governance and fundraising efforts. It highlights how the Board of Trustees is crucial in overseeing the school's affairs, ensuring long-term stability, securing resources, and maintaining the institution's mission.<br /><br />The Board of Trustees is tasked with hiring, evaluating, and supporting the Head of School while determining the vision, mission, values, and direction of the school. It also approves budgets and oversees financial health. In contrast, the Head of School is responsible for hiring staff, managing academic and student programs, and making operational decisions.<br /><br />Key roles of the trustees include being governors, sponsors, ambassadors, and consultants — each contributing to the school's governance, financial health, and public image. Trustees are also emphasized as donors and fundraisers. They are encouraged to make the school a philanthropic priority, participate in fundraising initiatives, and serve as examples with their giving practices.<br /><br />Trustees can support the school's advancement by strengthening strategic thinking, effectively communicating the school's message, providing insights and contacts, and participating in stewardship and donor appreciation activities.<br /><br />The process of trustee recruitment is discussed, where traits such as passion, vision, leadership, integrity, knowledge/skill, perspective, collegiality, and discretion are deemed essential. Key questions for trustee selection involve assessing volunteer engagement, boundary respect, ability to think beyond personal interests, and articulation about the school and its leadership.<br /><br />Overall, the document underscores the collaborative dynamic between the Board of Trustees and school administration in fostering the institution's growth and advancement goals.

Keywords

Board of Trustees

Head of School

school governance

fundraising

strategic thinking

trustee recruitment

financial health

philanthropy

institution's mission

collaborative dynamic