The Newsletter for Chairs of Theological School Boards
Vol. 3 No. 5

Growing together as a board

As we start the year, I think it’s important to consider our plans – not only for our organizations but for our boards. I often talk with boards about board education plans because I think they’re so vital.

Board education offers not only information but also creates growth individually and together as a board. As a board grows, I believe a school grows as well.

At the In Trust Center, our Board provides both time and money to provide education. We often bring in speakers who discuss trends in the field as well as relevant issues in governance. We also consider articles and ideas. This helps us develop together.

Board education doesn’t have to cost a lot or even take much time. Every quarter we publish In Trust magazine, which is filled with articles that can help your board grow. We also have a podcast, newsletters, a website full of resources, and regular webinars and facilitated conversations that can help. Those are all part of your membership in the In Trust Center.

Let me give you a few examples. In the recent Winter edition of In Trust magazine, we have several pieces that could be used for conversation in a board meeting or via email.

• The Rev. Tod Bolsinger, Ph.D., had a discussion about adaptive leadership, which you’ll find here. A few questions you might ask your board: What do we as a board need to know about adaptive leadership and how we as an organization can use it? What do our students need to know about it and how do we help them? Are we experimenting at our school, and are there areas in which experimentation might help?
• Researchers at the Association of Theological Schools have found what they’re calling a “misalignment” between schools’ curriculum and the needs of graduates in the field. This piece would provide a healthy starter for a discussion about what the alumni at your school think and how you may be able to help them continue to learn and grow in their work. You can find the piece here.
• The new round of Pathways for Tomorrow funding is something certainly worth consideration. You can find more out here. 

These three pieces are just a few ways you can start a conversation with your board. I’d love to hear what you think. You can also reach out to our team to discuss board education and how you might go about creating an education plan for your board. You can reach the team via email at resources@intrust.org.

As well, I’d encourage you to consider our new board development grants. These grants provide up to $10,000 to allow institutional boards to pursue board-development projects and will result in tangible outcomes for governing and advisory boards. You can find out more about the grants here. There’s an informational meeting at 1 p.m. ET Thursday, January 23. You can sign up for the webinar here. 

With gratitude for all you do in theological education,

Amy Kardash
President