| In a few weeks, new members will be joining | | | | significant contributions. Welcome the new |
| parochial school boards all across the country. | | | | members and talk about the plans, expectations, |
| Some of the new members will go on to have a | | | | and upcoming successes. Above all, have fun. |
| great experience, others will quit during the first | | | | Engage in fellowship. |
| year. There are many factors, which determine | | | | Now the new board members are almost ready |
| the outcome. How the new board member is | | | | to work. They understand the history, they know |
| received is one. | | | | about recent major decisions, and they feel like |
| Many Christian schools replace about a third of | | | | they are part of a group that appreciates them |
| their board members each year. Many try to | | | | for who they are (rather than the chair they fill or |
| re-engage past board members who left the | | | | their capacity to give). |
| board because of term limits. As a result, the | | | | A missing piece in the puzzle is inspiration. That will |
| number of new board members is usually less | | | | come in the opening minutes of their first board |
| than one third of the existing membership. The | | | | meeting. |
| new board members are often a small minority in | | | | Next Step: |
| a fast moving arena. Some of those new | | | | Invite the new board members to an orientation |
| members have never served on a board before. | | | | discussion rather than a history lesson |
| They are strangers in a strange land. | | | | Introduce the new board members to the other |
| Prior to the first board meeting, spend some time | | | | board members with a party where there is |
| orienting the new members. Tell them about the | | | | fellowship, celebration of success, and appreciation |
| significant decisions that were made in the past 3 | | | | of the contributions of others |
| - 5 board meetings. Discuss with them the | | | | At their first board meeting, ask each member of |
| background on the 3 - 5 topics at the top of the | | | | the board to talk about why the school is |
| board's to do list. Discuss significant policies with | | | | important to them and what they hope to |
| them. Tell them all of the bad news (budget | | | | achieve through their board service (that will |
| challenges, morale issues, enrollment trends, donor | | | | inspire all of the board members and any visitors) |
| trends, etc.). | | | | Meet with each new board member after the |
| You want their first experience to be a good one. | | | | first two board meetings and solicit their input, |
| Making attendance at the orientation meeting | | | | impressions, and concerns |
| mandatory will get them to the meeting but it is | | | | After the first two board meetings, the new |
| unlikely to put a smile in their heart. Instead, make | | | | members will feel like they are part of a team. |
| the meeting all about them. Promote how they will | | | | They will respect and be inspired by their |
| benefit from the meeting. If they understand that | | | | teammates. They will feel like they are capable of |
| you have their best interests and success at the | | | | contributing to the success of the school. |
| top of the list, they will come to the meeting | | | | Board discussions will be more civil, focused, and |
| smiling. | | | | collegial. It will be easier for the board to be |
| A few weeks after the orientation meeting, have | | | | effective and mission focused. The board's |
| a board barbeque. Celebrate the success of the | | | | effectiveness and mission focus will contribute to |
| past year. Honor the departing members and their | | | | the sustainability of the school. |