Meeting minutes are a formal recording of transactions that occurred at a specific time and place. Minutes are a record of what was done, not all that was said. So, what are some best practices for creating effective minutes? Below are a few guidelines for preparing board minutes. At the top of the page, record the name of the school, the date, time and location of the … [Read more...]
10 Lessons from Charter School Board Service
ADOPT MEETING NORMS – Everyone has busy lives. Be respectful of your fellow board members and staff. Show up on time, put cell phones away, read your board packet in advance and always make sure to be respectful of other’s opinions and maintain your professionalism. TOO ENGAGED: Engagement is important; however, often well-meaning passion for the mission gets steeped in a path that is intrusive … [Read more...]
Top Pitfalls of Minnesota Open Meeting Law
By Beth Finch and John Cairns Law, P.A. The information in this document is not and should not be considered legal advice as to any particular Minnesota Open Meeting Law issue that a charter school may be dealing with. My observation about charter schools is the strong inclination to uphold the law which clearly is good. However, the tension lies in the ability to be effectively moving the … [Read more...]
Board Study
By: Beth Finch | BoardSource published results from the 8th version of its national survey “Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices.” Although not exclusive to charter schools and education, 850 non-profit chief executives and 246 board chairs completed the survey; and it includes a trove of valuable information. CEO of BoardEffect, Todd Gibby, highlighted a few … [Read more...]