governance
GovernanceCorner Practical tips from our MIG facultyBoard Candidate Orientation
The start of the school year can be an appropriate time for districts and county offices of education to host candidate orientations for individuals who hope to fill open board seats. Candidate orientations can be a useful tool to prepare these individuals for the transition from candidate to governing board member.
When an orientation is set up with intention, it can serve as the first step to the onboarding process for incoming board members. Boards may consider discussing the following guiding questions when preparing to host a candidate orientation:
- What will candidates learn as a result of participating in the orientation?
- How will the information shared at the orientation better prepare candidates for a governance role within our district or COE?
- What is the essential information about our district or COE that is critical for a candidate to know before taking office? What is the most effective way to present this information?
- What is the essential information about governance and governance roles and responsibilities that is critical for candidates to know? What is the most effective way to present this information?
- What are the resources from our local COE and partners, such as CSBA, that can be included?
- What will candidates learn as a result of participating in the orientation?
- How will the information shared at the orientation better prepare candidates for a governance role within our district or COE?
- What is the essential information about our district or COE that is critical for a candidate to know before taking office? What is the most effective way to present this information?
- What is the essential information about governance and governance roles and responsibilities that is critical for candidates to know? What is the most effective way to present this information?
- What are the resources from our local COE and partners, such as CSBA, that can be included?
- Who is the most appropriate person to lead the orientation? Will the orientation include participation from board members? Will it include participation from the cabinet? If so, what roles will participants take on?
- Will candidate “homework” be a part of the orientation? If so, what is the homework and how can it be used to support the learning of candidates?
- How can the orientation support the onboarding process for new board members?
- Who is the most appropriate person to lead the orientation? Will the orientation include participation from board members? Will it include participation from the cabinet? If so, what roles will participants take on?
- Will candidate “homework” be a part of the orientation? If so, what is the homework and how can it be used to support the learning of candidates?
- How can the orientation support the onboarding process for new board members?
An orientation that introduces what the governance standards of effective boards are, as well as provides an overview of your district and COE, will help candidates better prepare for service as a future school board member.
For additional resources, visit the CSBA website at www.csba.org for the “About California school boards” and “About California county boards of education” fliers and What it Takes to Lead, the role and function of California’s school boards publication.