The Newsletter for Chairs of Theological School Boards
Vol. 2 No. 9

Finding ways to better engage your board

In governance, one of the things that we should be aware of is board engagement. A good board is well-engaged. However, given the demands and increasing complexity of board work, board engagement can be difficult to build.
 
Over the years, the In Trust Center has worked with coaches and consultants to help institutions improve board work and engagement.
 
Dr. Rebekah Burch Basinger, the Wise Stewards Initiative project director, has explored the issue for years. In the webinar “Maximizing Your Board’s Potential,” she considers strategies and resources to help mine what your board members have to offer and what they want to offer. You can watch it here.
 
On the Good Governance podcast, Lynette M. Brown-Sow and the Rev. Dr. Byron Klaus, both coaches in the Wise Stewards Initiative, explore ways institutions can further engage their boards, including through well-crafted agendas, feedback, and bringing together diverse perspectives. You can listen to it here.
 
You can share these two resources with your board to start discussions about board engagement and how your board can further develop. As a member of the In Trust Center, you can also access Resource Consulting, through which our team can point you to more specific resources for you and your board. You can reach our team via email here. 
 
On another note, let me ask for your help. We've undertaken the first survey of theological school governance in over a decade, and we’ve sent surveys to executive leaders and board members of every ATS-accredited school. If you or your team haven’t done so already, would you take a few minutes and complete it, and would you encourage your board and your executive leader to do so as well? You can find our webpage and pick the appropriate survey here.

With gratitude for all you do in theological education,

Amy Kardash
President