How To Use Your Strategic Plan To Select New Board Members

Hello,       We receive many calls a week from clients that are developing or have developed their school's strategic plan, but don't understand how to effectively utilize it in the leadership and operation of their school. They work with a consultant to develop their mission and vision statements, core values, goals, and objectives, and then stop there. Many do not complete the most critical stage, the action plan, which identifies  how each goal and objective is implemented, by who, when, at what cost, and the measurement indicator to assess if they've achieved the goal/objective.   But this is only the beginning. You're board can then break down each committee's yearly charge in relation to the implementation of the goals/objectives expanded upon in the action. Furthermore, your Head's operational plan will then provide the day-to-day management plan to deliver it. Working backwards, the board committee will then monitor and engage in assuring the implementation of their designated goals/objectives. Then each spring you can measure the entire school's performance (board, committees, Head) by the level the plan has been successfully implemented. What the plan also provides is a 'profile' for your board's trustee committee to use in selecting new trustees to match your school's strategic needs. Today, I want to share with you how to use your strategic plan to select new board members to ensure the fulfillment of your strategic plan. Please read on to find out more about how you can maximize your board's performance. To your success,  Doug Halladay President Halladay Education Group P.S. Don't forget to go to our secure Online Store to invest in our Strategic Planning or Start-A-School Toolkits.

Where's HEG Working Right Now? Many of you ask what is HEG is being approached to work on next. Here's an update: Market Study and Business for Private K-12 International School in Western Africa  Sale of Private High School in the western USA Sale of Beauty School with three sites/spas in Ontario Sale of Canadian-based Language Schools Sale of Canadian-based Career Colleges   Strategic Plan for K-7 Catholic Private School in British Columbia Market Study and Business Plan for Private Non-Profit International High School in Texas Formation of a new PreK-9 IB Private School in Malaysia Formation of a new Private K-12 Canadian International K-12 School in Saudi Arabia   Feasibility Study and Business Plan for a new Private Early Childhood Center and Gr. 7-12 Tribal Senior School in Alabama If you're interested in our consulting services, and would like to discuss your needs further, please contact Doug Halladay by email  or call directly at 1-604-868-0002.   In The News Can an iPad or Some Other Form of Technology Transform Education for Our Kids  Committee member Thomas Kendall said the initiative would "revolutionize education." It's laudable that some would try to harness the power of technology to improve educational outcomes. But shoving the technology of today into the failing classrooms... School founded by Blue Man Group gets new stage But that's only the first act for founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The trio, along with their wives, has founded BlueSchool. They started the private preschool and elementary school to give their own kids a more creative education. The 28 Most Expensive Private High Schools In America There are over 3000 private high schools in the United States, but few match up to the extensive programming, state-of-the-art facilities and top-notch educators of these 28, where a year of tuition can cost more than a Mercedes. 7000 Private School Applicants Got Incorrect Scores, Company Says More than 7000 students were incorrectly graded on the standardized test required for admission to most New York City privateschools, the test company confirmed on Friday. Parents were notified of the error Thursday night... Solutions For Your School STARTING A SCHOOL Our experienced team can provide step-by-step 'turn-key' services to start your school in the USA, Canada, &  Internationally. Click here for more info.  STRATEGIC PLANNING  We're experienced developing Strategic Plans for schools globally. Our plan can focuses your school's mission, build consensus, donor confidence, & define priorities for your Board & Staff. No school should be without one. Click here for more info. BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOPS Great schools have great boards. Can you afford not to ? Our governance workshops & online board performance surveys fine-tunes your board's & focuses your priorities. Click here for more info. SCHOOL EVALUATION Are you sure your school is doing the best it can? Our In-Depth Performance Review assesses your school's performance against benchmarks & provides snap-shot right away. Click here for more info. BUYING AND SELLING SCHOOLS  HEG & our licensed brokers assist buyers/sellers with mergers, purchases, & sales of K-12 Schools & Career Colleges in Canada, US, and Internationally. Click here for more info. How To Use Your Strategic Plan To Select New Board Members There are variety of elements that need to followed to ensure the successful implementation of your school's strategic plan and  sustainable success of your school, including: Buy-in and ownership by your stakeholders (board, staff, administration, parents) in the planning process; Development and utilization of a complete action plan; Creation of board committees that match the priorities identified in the plan;  Interconnection of the annual goals of board committees and administrative operational plan with your action plan; and  Recruiting new trustees who match the strategic priorities of the school and who can support implementation. It's the last bullet that I want to expand on more. You see this is a departure from the traditional approach  whereby you look for new trustees based on their: wealth, wisdom, leadership, work, expertise, and clout. Yes, there are important. But just as critical is reviewing your strategic goals and determining what type of profile (experience, profession, education/training, and skills) you require to ensure the successful implementation of your strategic plan. You need to be explicit about the profile to match specific priorities identified in your strategic plan. For example, rather than a land developer you may want a realtor specializing in commercial properties.  You need to be sensitive though to caution your board to being hands-off of daily operations and avoid micro-managing. What you're seeking is to cultivate and solicit board expertise that  strengthens the your capacity for: Short- and long-term planning; Implementation of the annual board agenda gathered from your strategic plan; and  Creating strategic policy to support the plan. You should also fill committee positions with non-board members. This allows you to cultivate future board members while leveraging the strengths of your community. An effective board will: Represent all your stakeholder groups; Comprise 60% of current parents in a day school and 60% alumni in a boarding school; Reflect to academic divisions of your school; and  Be balanced in gender. It is critical that your Trustee Committee is actively cultivating future board members. You cannot sit back and hope that someone capable will show up at your AGM and be elected. You must proactively put together your own list of potential board members for your slate at your school's AGM. Next Step If you would find out more about how to improve your school's board performance or develop an effective strategic plan , please contact Doug Halladay directly to find out more about our services and how we can help. You can set this up by sending an email to info@halladayeducationgroup.com or calling directly at 1-604-868-0002. HEG Recommends Here are  2 of our most popular toolkits that will help you either  start your own school or develop your own strategic plan.   STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLKIT  Learn how to develop your own Plan with step-by-step instructions contained in a detailed Workbook & Manual, along with $500 worth of bonus CD's. It's all here to help you develop your own plan. Click here for more details. START-A-SCHOOL TOOLKIT Are you still struggling with starting a school? Experienced school leaders share how they started their school from the ground up. You'll also receive our bonus CD ($150 value) on developing your strategic plan. Click here for more details. To your success, Douglas Halladay President Halladay Education Group Inc.   P: 604.868.0002 F: 868.472.8737 E: info@halladayeducationgroup.com www.HalladayEducationGroup.com

Can You Recite Your School's Mission Statement?

Hello:

I’m eagerly waiting for my new Dell desktop to arrive today. I’m moving from 2 GB RAM to 12 GB and hoping to appreciate the 23 inch monitor that comes with it. While I’m waiting for my new computer (come on UPS), Vancouver is being pounded by ridiculous rain and wind storms (I’m keeping an eye out my window for Dorothy and Toto). That being said, I enjoy going down to my cabin in Pt. Roberts and watching the big storms and surf pound the beaches, while taking in the sounds and scents of the ocean. A few years back I would be out there in my Hobby Cat or wind surfer catching the big winds…

Today I want to share some final thoughts in the eNewsletter on effective board governance.

One important element to consider is the development, implementation, and monitoring of your organization’s mission. I was online and found a fantastic video on how NOT to develop your school’s mission statement. Please click here to view the video.

Too many times boards write a mission statement that is like a novel; they throw everything into it but the kitchen sink and end up with a bunch of words that mean nothing to the organization. My challenge is that it should be one sentence, able to fit onto the front of a t-shirt, and every member of your community should be able to memorize and recite it. Can you do that at your school?

Read on to find out more about writing a great mission statement.

To your success,

Doug Halladay

President

Halladay Education Group Inc.

>> TWITTER ->> Receive our updates.

P.S. Don’t forget to go to our secure Online Store for our Strategic Planning or School Start-Up Toolkits.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. In The News

2. Focus On Our Key Services

3. Can You Recite Your School's Mission Statement?

4. Products At Our Online Store

1. IN THE NEWS

>> RESEARCHERS PROBE PAY INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS

While much of the national debate over performance incentives for teachers has centered on bonuses based on student test scores, a new book suggests that such incentives come in all shapes and sizes, and offers some new research on little-studied aspects of those strategies.

2. FOCUS ON OUR KEY SERVICES

(A) STARTING A SCHOOL

Starting a school can be challenging and you never have a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression. That’s why you need a firm with experience starting schools in USA, Canada, and Internationally.

(B) STRATEGIC PLANNING

We can lead the development of your school’s Strategic Plan, which will build consensus, motivate donors, and define critical priorities for your Board and Administration for school improvement.

(C) BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOPS

Do you want your school to have the best board possible? Our full-day governance workshop (in combination with our informative online self-assessment survey) will fine-tune your board’s performance and focus priorities.

(D) SCHOOL EVALUATIONS

A school review is critical to knowing if you’re heading in the right direction. As a board member, are you sure your school is doing the best it can? Get the whole picture with our “In-Depth School Performance Review and Action Plan.” Click on the following link for more info:

(E) BUYING AND SELLING SCHOOLS

HEG and our certified Brokerage Associates assist buyers/sellers with the purchase and sale of for-profit Private K-12 Schools, Post Secondary Institutions, and Career Colleges in Canada, United States, and Internationally. HEG and our Licensed Brokers are experienced in acquisitions, mergers, and advising established schools.

3. CAN YOU RECITE YOUR SCHOOL'S MISSION STATEMENT?

Effective boards are missions focused. Great boards uphold and articulate a compelling mission-vision, and ensure congruence between strategy, values, and operations of the school. Competent directors focus on being:

• Convincing mission statement that allows them to keep eye on the target
• Aspirational and inspirational having a mission provides call to action that motivates staff and board and guides decisions
• Decisions are based on a clear understanding of your needs and you don’t operate in a vacuum
• As custodians of the mission, you’ve courage to refocus mission when needed
• You articulate your organization’s values and can translate them into action, and inspire staff by serving as role models

Your mission statement should answer the following questions:

• WHY you exist and WHY you’re committed to supporting that existence
• WHO you serve
• WHAT you provide, and
• HOW you serve them.

On the other hand, your vision statement should do the following:

• It answers WHERE you want your school to be in 5 or more years.
• Compelling image of the desired future that describes what the school should look like as it successfully implements the plan & achieves its potential

Your vision is the product and the mission is the process.

My litmus test for a mission statement is the following checklist:

• Does it state the purpose of your organization?
• Is it broad enough that everyone can see how they can contribute?
• Is it rarely changing?
• Can it survive leadership changes?
• Will it make sense to the average citizen who sees it displayed on your walls?

How did you score? Your mission has to inspire your staff and board, and direct your purpose for existing. Don’t treat it like some sort of cliché; take it serious and you’ll have a better board and school.

BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP

To help your board move from good to great, we can provide our one-day board governance workshop with your school’s trustees. Our thoughtful workshop provides feedback to analyze and develop a clear set of strategies to guide your school’s leadership with the ongoing development of your school and governance.

The Board Governance Workshop and Survey refocuses Trustees on the Critical Elements of Effective Board Performance. This includes a comprehensive 360° online “Board Performance Self-Assessment Survey” based on years of research that assesses your board’s performance and a one day workshop to identify and resolve critical governance issues, review best practices, and focus areas for board development. This includes:

1. Presentation of governance best practices for school trustees.
2. Participation in hands-on case scenarios that highlight effective board practices.
3. Building a profile of your board’s performance gap based on confidential responses to the online survey and identifying areas that need immediate improvement (the survey is implemented as part of the school evaluation process).
4. Facilitation of a one-day workshop that assists the board in developing strategies and action plans to close your performance gap for the governance of leadership of the school.
5. As part of the process, the Board members candidly discuss and reach consensus on issues surrounding the performance of your board and lay the groundwork for long-term improvement.

You receive a follow-up “Summative Board Performance Report” providing a comprehensive overview of the board’s survey results, issues, and a plan of action for improvement.

Please click on the following here for more info.

To find out more about our firm’s board governance workshops, or learn more about how we can help provide you solutions, please email HEG at info@halladayeducationgroup.com to discuss your needs in more detail.

4. ONLINE STORE

Here are 2 popular Toolkits to help you to either start your own school or develop your own strategic plan, step-by-step.

(1). STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLKIT (#1 BEST SELLER)

Learn how to develop your own Strategic Plan with step-by-step instructions contained in our detailed Workbook and Manual, along with $500 worth of bonus CD’s. It’s all here to help you develop your own plan.

(2). START-A-SCHOOL TOOLKIT (#2 BEST SELLER)

Are you still struggling with starting your school? Four experienced school leaders share how they started their own school from the ground up. You’ll also receive our bonus CD on developing your strategic plan.

To your success,

Douglas Halladay

President

How Effective Are Your Board Committees?

Hello,

I had an early meeting today in the west-end of Vancouver near English Bay. After the meeting I took advantage of the location on English Bay and went for a stroll along the sea wall at the entrance to Stanley Park (and a stop at Starbucks). I’ve traveled all over the world, and nothing beats this location with views of our north shore mountains that reach right down to the edge of the ocean, and the winter air getting ready for another season of snow on our local ski hills (and the Olympics). Please click here to check out the photo of my stroll.

Today I’m going to continue sharing tips in the eNewsletter below about how to make your board governance more effective. Your board has three duties:

1. Duty of Care: Using your best judgment
2. Duty of Loyalty: Putting your personal and professional interests aside for the good of the school
3. Duty of Obedience: Being true to the organization’s mission

Today, I want to share how your board can operate more effectively through the use your board committees. This is relevant to those starting a new school as well as established public and private schools. The purpose of your committees is to:

• Accomplish the work needed to be done between board meetings
• Where the majority of board’s work is takes place; they’re the workhorses
• Enable sharing of time & talent, & provide for work & evaluation
• Debate & make recommendations
• Oversee the implementation of the board’s annual goals from the strategic plan
  

Does your board have committees that are focused on the implementation of your strategic plan or do you have the same old committees no matter what year it is? If so, you need to read on for more insight.

To your success,

Doug Halladay

President
Halladay Education Group Inc.

>> TWITTER ->> Receive our updates by clicking here.

P.S. Don’t forget to go to our secure Online Store for our Strategic Planning or School Start-Up Toolkits.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. In The News

2. Focus On Our Key Services

3. More Tips On Better Board Governance

4. Products At Our Online Store

1. IN THE NEWS

>> PRIVATE SCHOOLS CHARTED A CONSERVATIVE FISCAL COURSE
Prep Schools Face Cuts in Student Aid confirms what most of us have suspected for some time now. Private school endowments have taken a hit in these tough economic times ...

2. FOCUS ON OUR KEY SERVICES

(A) STARTING A SCHOOL
Starting a school can be challenging and you never have a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression. That’s why you need a firm with experience starting schools in USA, Canada, and Internationally.

(B) STRATEGIC PLANNING
We can lead the development of your school’s Strategic Plan, which will build consensus, motivate donors, and define critical priorities for your Board and Administration for school improvement.

(C) BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOPS
Do you want your school to have the best board possible? Our full-day governance workshop (in combination with our informative online self-assessment survey) will fine-tune your board’s performance and focus priorities.

(D) SCHOOL EVALUATIONS
A school review is critical to knowing if you’re heading in the right direction. As a board member, are you sure your school is doing the best it can? Get the whole picture with our “In-Depth School Performance Review and Action Plan.”

(E) BUYING AND SELLING SCHOOLS
HEG and our certified Brokerage Associates assist buyers/sellers with the purchase and sale of for-profit Private K-12 Schools, Post Secondary Institutions, and Career Colleges in Canada, United States, and Internationally. HEG and our Licensed Brokers are experienced in acquisitions, mergers, and advising established schools.

3. TIPS ON BETTER BOARD GOVERNANCE

It’s critical that you’ve effective committees on your board. This is where all the work needs to be done; not at the board meetings. Effective committees are charged by their agenda that is aligned with the monitoring and implementation of your board’s annual strategic goals (based on your 5-year strategic plan…you have one don’t you?). The Chair and Executive Committee determine the number of committees and membership. The structure should include:

• Size: Should be large enough to ensure critical mass and small enough to ensure participation
• Staffing: May have 1 staff member to serve as secretary & liaison; staff provide info, but don’t make decisions
• Membership: Can have non-board members and use it as a testing ground for potential board members
• Duration: They may either be permanent or temporary, but should be based on your strategic needs
• Charges: Have 1 for each committee and job descriptions for committee members and chair
  

Tips about forming your board committees:

• Document responsibilities, guidelines, annual goals, and review/revise as needed
• Appoint an effective chairperson and members who support and complement fellow members
• Document job descriptions for each member, expectations, and tasks
• Make timely reports
• Be goal-driven and action oriented
  

Please re-read the last bullet again. Be “goal drive” and “action oriented.” Think about it; your committee’s purpose should be based on the delivery of your annual strategic goals, not meeting just for the purpose of meeting.

BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP

To help your board move from good to great, we can provide our one-day board governance workshop with your school’s trustees. Our thoughtful workshop provides feedback to analyze and develop a clear set of strategies to guide your school’s leadership with the ongoing development of your school and governance.

The Board Governance Workshop and Survey refocuses Trustees on the Critical Elements of Effective Board Performance. This includes a comprehensive 360° online “Board Performance Self-Assessment Survey” based on years of research that assesses your board’s performance and a one day workshop to identify and resolve critical governance issues, review best practices, and focus areas for board development. This includes:

1. Presentation of governance best practices for school trustees.
2. Participation in hands-on case scenarios that highlight effective board practices.
3. Building a profile of your board’s performance gap based on confidential responses to the online survey and identifying areas that need immediate improvement (the survey is implemented as part of the school evaluation process).
4. Facilitation of a one-day workshop that assists the board in developing strategies and action plans to close your performance gap for the governance of leadership of the school.
5. As part of the process, the Board members candidly discuss and reach consensus on issues surrounding the performance of your board and lay the groundwork for long-term improvement.
   

You receive a follow-up “Summative Board Performance Report” providing a comprehensive overview of the board’s survey results, issues, and a plan of action for improvement.

To find out more about our firm’s board governance workshops, or learn more about how we can help provide you solutions, please email HEG at info@halladayeducationgroup.com to discuss your needs in more detail.

4. ONLINE STORE

Here are 2 popular Toolkits to help you to either start your own school or develop your own strategic plan, step-by-step.

(1). STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLKIT (#1 BEST SELLER)
Learn how to develop your own Strategic Plan with step-by-step instructions contained in our detailed Workbook and Manual, along with $500 worth of bonus CD’s. It’s all here to help you develop your own plan.

(2). START-A-SCHOOL TOOLKIT (#2 BEST SELLER)
Are you still struggling with starting your school? Four experienced school leaders share how they started their own school from the ground up. You’ll also receive our bonus CD on developing your strategic plan.


To your success,

Douglas Halladay
President

Halladay Education Group Inc.