Simply put: a lot. It's no easy feat learning all the ins and outs of being a trustee! What can make the process better? Spacing out information throughout the process of trusteeship; before election, after election, and continuing on through the months and years of service.
You wouldn't sign up for a trip before knowing where you're going, right? You could end up in a frigid climate without heating or a rainforest without air conditioning! Similarly, future trustees need to know what the deal is before committing to such an important role. Before the election filing...
Remember the feeling of the first weeks of college or a new job? It can be incredibly overwhelming. What can really improve onboarding is having someone to show you the ropes. Experienced trustees are ideal as they understand the process, know essential information, and can answer any questions about the...
Training and education starts at trustee orientation, but it's important to remember to continue learning and growing with the changing landscape of education. Trustees should be encouraged to attend conferences and events, utilize resources, and engage at a local, state, and national level. But most importantly: each trustee needs to...
You're in luck! We've put together a helpful tip sheet on how to orient new trustees thanks to the research and white paper done by ISU's Doug Smith and Zoe Thornton.