Page 6 - Priorities #19 2002-July

Wayne Davison Board of Trustees Chair Golden Jubilee Campaign Leadership Team Chair
Trustee Profile
This Volunteer Committee Oversees Priory Growth and Security
In industry, a Board of Trustees’ role sometimes stops with verifying the auditor’s report. In non- profit organizations such as an arts museum or symphony, the board may also play an active role in generating funds and public support. A public school district’s Board of Trustees is the community’s link to the school system.
At times, the Priory Board of Trustees has all of these roles and more. Originally, in 1987, the board was created as an advisory group appointed by the monks. The school was adapting to a new Middle School, the first female students, and a drop in studentenrollmentcausedbydemographics. The monks felt a community advisory board would lend sound judgment and strength.
In 1998, with the student enrollment growing, the demands in curriculum and student activities changing, and the number of monks able to be active in school life declining, the role of the Board was increased. These are current duties:
• Develop and evaluate policies, long-range plans and strategic plans.
• Evaluate the school’s mission and any plans.
• Develop resources the school needs to achieve its goals
• Assist in developing and monitoring school budgets.
Trustees are specifically excluded from being involved with hiring faculty and staff or student applications for admission—and wisely so!
The ultimate governing board is the Board of Directors. This board consists of our Benedictine monks and is a non-profit corporation that holds all of the Priory assets. It also sets the Catholic, Benedictine nature of the school. The directors are Abbott Matthew, Father Mark, Father William, Father Martin, and Brother Edward. This board makes the final decisions on all corporate matters but is not involved in direct campus management.
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The monks designed this two-board structure in 1998 and it has worked very well in providing leadership for the school.
The trustees’ job is a big one for just 15 to 21 people. So, it is augmented with non-trustees who volunteer as committee members. This is where volunteer expertise is irreplaceable—whether it is something fast and fun, like picking a slogan, or long- term and serious, like developing long-range plans for the physical plant. It’s also where faculty, students and administrative staff tie in. For example, many students, faculty and parents probably remember servingoncommitteesrelatedtothelaststrategic plan—the Board initiated the effort but the input came largely from the school community.
Current standing committees include community relations; Golden Jubilee Campaign Leadership; executive committee; finance, buildings and grounds, investment; and policy, planning and student life.
Who serves on the board? Up to one-third are current parents. The Parent Association president(s) are ex-officio members. Other constituencies include alumni and alumni parents, monks, grandparents, and friends of the school who have no direct ties— often, these are people who have important skills to share. The Committee on Trustees has guidelines to consider when selecting candidates. Their nominees are approved by both Boards. Service is a maximum of two terms of three years each.
And what does the trustee gain? Well, a bit of training in good boardsmanship, a free copy of Always We Begin Again, an annual retreat to reflect on the work ahead for the year, a full board meeting every other month, and usually many, many subcommittee meetings in between. As I look to the theme of this month’s magazine, "A Sense of Accomplishment," I hope all trustees take away a good measure of that as well.
Meet the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and Campaign Leadership Team are on the Golden Jubilee Campaign Web site—www.woodsidepriory.com/campaign.
The following is a summary of the Board of Trustees’ work in progress.
Commitment to keeping faculty salaries competitive.
Development of investment policies. Monitoringof MaasFamilyCommons
(on-campus housing) construction project. Review of on-campus housing policies. Revision, update and implementation
of strategic plan. Review of process for Board
self-evaluations.
Prepared by the Board’s Community Relations Committee —SandyMcCarthy,chair