NAIS - NAIS Resource Guide: Governance and Leadership

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Resources for Building, Developing, and Maintaining an Effective Board

This newly updated online guide equips trustees with the information, tools, and advice they need to lead independent schools in a changing landscape.

Review Best Practices for Independent School Boards and Trustees

These two sets of Principles of Good Practice provide a common perspective on the responsibilities of independent school boards and individual trustees.

Trustee Training Tools

The NAIS Trustee Series offers easy-to-grasp guides for doing the job of trustee the right way, including performing basic duties, fundraising, conducting a head search, leading the board, and more.

Leadership Through Partnership

This foundational governance program provides heads and board chairs dedicated time to build a collaborative relationship, learn about best practices, and explore challenges and opportunities at their school.

Deep Dive

What Are Trustees Seeking When They Join Independent School Boards?

Find out how your school can recruit, engage, and understand trustees more effectively with NAIS’s Jobs-to-Be-Done research.

What Are Boards Searching for When They Hire an Independent School Leader?

How can your board determine what type of leader your school needs now and for the future? Improve the head search process with NAIS’s Jobs-to-Be-Done research.

Head of School Turnover at Independent Schools

The two parts of this report offer recommendations for identifying and addressing the complex nature of the head-board relationship, solidifying leadership sustainability for years to come.

2021 State of Independent School Leadership Survey

Better understand what school leaders are thinking about their careers, how the leadership pipeline is evolving, and the impacts of the pandemic on leaders’ personal and professional lives.

Key Takeaways for Boards from the 2021 State of Independent School Leadership Survey

This resource distills important findings, data, insights, and tips from the Leadership Survey into a brief, printable booklet to help trustees support their head and lead the school effectively.

Governance Case Studies

This collection features governance issues based on real-life situations, and can be used as part of a well-defined board education program to support effective governance practices.

How Good Governance Policies Help Boards Succeed

Read a Legal Tip and watch an NAIS Trend Report webinar recording on clear, concise, and up-to-date governing documents and policies that help boards function smoothly and provide guidance during crises.

Spring 2020: The Governance Issue

This issue explores critical issues at the heart of the foundational board-head relationship and examines how boards can be most effective, stay agile, and explore structures to ensure accountability.

Get Insights from Experts on The Trustee Table Podcast

Listen to all the episodes from this NAIS podcast to hear first-person perspective for trustees, board chairs, and administrators on critical governance issues.

NAIS Conversation Series with Donna Orem: Building a Healthy Leadership/Governance Ecosystem

If independent schools are to attract strong leaders and trustees in the future, they must create conditions today that nurture healthy head-board relationships.

NAIS Resource Guide: Governance and Leadership