Staying on Course: The Early Childhood Board's Guide to Success

Running a successful Board of Directors isn't easy. It takes time, effort and planning. Regardless of the type or size of the early childhood program or what stage the board is in, this book is designed to support the success of the board members.

It will help them stay on course and focus on the important work they do for young children and their families, and it will alert them to pitfalls and known dangers as they navigate the early childhood landscape. Boards and programs often do not know which way to turn or what steps to take to improve quality. This book will show the way.

Your purchase provides free online access to 35 handouts, tools, forms, and templates included in this book.

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Table of Contents

About the Authors

• Syretha O. Storey, Ph.D.
  Training and Technical Assistance Manager, ICF International
• Barbara McCreedy
  Training and Technical Assistance Manager, ICF International
• Helen Stine
  Senior Vice President, ICF International

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction
When Called To Serve…
Top Ten Reasons You Should Read This Book (All of These Have Happened!)

Chapter 1: An Overview of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Quality Care
The Trilemma of Early Childhood Education
General Workforce Trends
Chapter 1: References

Chapter 2: Ensuring Quality for Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs
Defining Quality

• Licensing Standards
• Quality Rating System (QRS)
• Program Accreditation
• Additional Standards

Internal Program Evaluations
Goals-Based Evaluations
Process-Based Evaluations
Outcomes-Based Evaluations
A Day-to-Day Look at Quality
A Board Member’s Duty of Quality
Preparing For Your Role as an Advocate of Quality
Chapter 2: References
Chapter 2: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 3: Teachers and Quality
Understanding Staff Turnover

• Low Compensation
• Few Opportunities for Professional Development
• Poor Work Environments
• Mismatch Between Employee Skills and Employer Needs
• Effective Teachers

Chapter 3: References
Chapter 3: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 4: A Relationship-Based Approach to Governance
Building Relationships

• Engage In Two-way Communication
• Be a Facilitator of Change
• Partner with Families
• Reach Out to Staff
• Capitalize Upon Collaborations

Chapter 4: References
Chapter 4: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 5: Defining Your Program’s Ideology
Developing Your Mission Statement

• Writing Your Mission Statement
• Reviewing and Rewriting an Existing Mission Statement
• Sharing Your Mission

Defining Your Vision
Defining Your Values
Putting It All Together
ECE Program Philosophy
Chapter 5: References
Chapter 5: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 6: Strategic Planning
What is a Strategic Plan?

• Getting Started
• Facilitating the Process

Section I: Statements of Mission, Visions, Values, Goals and Objectives

• Objectives
• Goals

Section II: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)
Section III: Action Strategies

• Making the Strategic Plan Work for Your Program

Chapter 6: References
Chapter 6: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 7: Understanding Your Board’s Structure

• Governing Boards

Advisory Boards
Structure of Boards in Sponsored Child Care Programs
Structure of Boards in Faith-Based Organizations (FBO)
Structure of Boards in Community-Based Organizations (CBO)

• Board or Vendor Run Programs

Different Perspectives
Chapter 7: References
Chapter 7: What Have I Learned?

Chapter 8: Roles and Responsibilities
Legal Obligations

• Duty of Care
• Duty of Loyalty
• Duty of Obedience

ECE Board Member Roles and Responsibilities
Dysfunctional Mode of Operation

• Fumbling
• Auto-Pilot
• Micro-managing

Chapter 8: References
Chapter 8: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress
Review the list of typical program activities and select the person responsible for each task

Chapter 9: Recruitment and Retention of Board Members
Establishing a Recruitment and Retention Plan

• Board Size

Defining the Needs of the Board

• Job Descriptions
• Board Diversity
• Employees as Board Members
• Terms of Service

Nomination Process
Screening Applicants
Before Putting New Members to Work

• Forms and Letters
• Orientation Process

Board Members Manual
Elected Offices
Retaining Members of the Board
Say Thank You!
Chapter 9: References
Chapter 9: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 10: Effective Meetings
Facilitating Meetings
Scheduling Meetings

• Ad Hoc Meetings

Effectively Using Committees
Setting the Agenda
Meeting Management

• Setting Ground Rules
• Adopting Official Rules of Order

Documenting Your Meeting
Keeping the Meeting on Task
Helpful Hints for Successful Meetings
Chapter 10: References
Chapter 10: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 11: Conflict Resolution
Working to Prevent Conflict

• Open Communication
• Good Decisionmaking
• Well-defined Conflict Resolution Policy

When Conflicts Happen
Negotiating Conflict Resolution
Internal Board Conflict
Chapter 11: References
Chapter 11: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 12: Legal Issues and Documents
Establishing Yourself as a Nonprofit
Documenting Fiduciary Responsibilities

• IRS Form 990 (Tax Filings)
• Meeting Minutes
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Policies
• Request For Proposals (RFP)

Chapter 12: References
Chapter 12: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 13: Budgeting and Finance
Expenditures
Revenue
Additional Sources of Program Income

• Your Budget as a Tool

Budget Timeline and Process
Educating Families and Staff on the Budget Process
Board Budget
Want to Learn More?
Chapter 13: References
Chapter 13: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 14: Fundraising
The Psychology of Fundraising
Identifying Appropriate and Profitable Fundraisers
Getting Past the Fear of Fundraising

• Identifying Yourself as a Charity
• Register as a Charity
• Register with a National Charitable Organization
• Get Your Message Out

Developing a Fundraising Plan
Calculating Profitability
Securing Corporate Support
Conducting a Fundraising Audit
Saying “Thank You”
Chapter 14: References
Chapter 14: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Chapter 15: Board Self Evaluation
Assessing Individual Board Member Performance
Assessing the Board as a Unit
Mid-Year Board Evaluation
Chapter 15: References
Chapter 15: Checkpoint - Mark Your Progress

Appendices
Appendix A: National Accrediting Organizations
Appendix B: National Early Childhood Membership Associations
Appendix C: Early Childhood Journals and Magazines
Appendix D: Turnover Rate Calculation Form
Appendix E: Sample Exit Interview Form
Appendix F: Sample Parent Interest Inventory
Appendix G: Twelve Steps to Writing a Mission Statement
Appendix H: Mission Statement Worksheet
Appendix I: Sample Strategic Plan
Appendix J: Sample Request For Proposals (RFP)
Appendix K: Sample Contract
Appendix L: Sample Code of Conduct
Appendix M: Sample Conflict of Interest Statement
Appendix N: Board Member Skills and Interest Form
Appendix O: Board Member Skill Inventory
Appendix P: Sample Board Member Job Description
Appendix Q: Board Member Application
Appendix R: Board Member Letter of Commitment
Appendix S: Board Member Orientation Agenda
Appendix T: Board Member Exit Survey
Appendix U: Sponsoring Organization Input Form
Appendix V: Committee Meeting Notes
Appendix W: Sample Board Meeting Agenda
Appendix X: Annual Board Meeting Evaluation Tool
Appendix Y: Interest-Based Negotiation Tool
Appendix Z: Sample Bylaws
Appendix AA: Sample Memorandum of Understanding
Appendix BB: Policy Tracking Tool
Appendix CC: Request For Proposals (RFP) First Review Form
Appendix DD: Request for Proposals (RFP) Second Review Score Sheet
Appendix EE: Fundraising Plan
Appendix FF: Donor Bill of Rights
Appendix GG: Fundraising Evaluation Tool
Appendix HH: Board of Directors Evaluation Tool
Appendix II: Board Member Self-Evaluation Tool

ISBN: 978-0-942702-52-1