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 to 2 hours long and can be held in person or virtually. Potential topics are listed below; we can also customize workshops to address individual board needs.

  • 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.

  • “Brooke transformed our board into a more effective team. Through her training, we gained a clearer understanding of our roles and responsibilities, improved the effectiveness of our meetings, and are better focused on strategic decisions. Her training and workshops are filled with practical, clear and strategic ideas on how to accomplish our responsibilities, some of which we implemented and have started to see immediate impact. I feel that our board is on a good trajectory towards governance excellence. While she specializes in small independent school boards, I recommend her services for any school board of trustees, board chairs and head of schools. "

    -Emi Uchida, Board Chair Quest Montessori School

  • “Brooke has been fantastic to work with. Over the past year, Brooke has provided governance and leadership coaching to our board. She is an excellent listener and adapted her coaching to match our board’s current environment. Based on her feedback, we have improved many things on the board including the implementation of board meeting practices that have greatly increased collaborative discussion, the institution of best practices preparing for board meetings, and an improved approach to leading committees.”

    -Shawn Heidel, Board Chair, The Soundview School

  • “Brooke's adeptness in crafting and communicating effective governance structures and protocols has been essential to our effort to streamline decision-making processes and reinforce accountability within the board. Through her tailored guidance and insights, Brooke empowers our board to uphold best practices, promote transparency, and propel the ongoing success and expansion of our school community."

    -Katherin Bowen, Head of School, Quest Montessori School