When we first announced our intention to seat a governance board, we were not sure what kind of response we would receive. Would we even find enough people interested to put a board together? Would we get the expertise and skills sets we needed? Would we get any fresh perspectives?
The pool of board candidates was truly amazing, and the Selection Committee (Susan, Anna, Darci, Rachel, Kelly) were honored to have the opportunity to interview 18 applicants – each of whom had something valuable to offer. Everyone we spoke with expressed deep commitment to the values and mission of Integrated Schools.
Beyond considering the qualifications of individual applicants, we sought to assemble a group of people whose collective skill sets would meet the organization’s needs at this pivotal stage; who would represent diverse perspectives yet still be able to function effectively as a team.
Our 11 founding board members include people with nonprofit management, planning and fundraising experience. It is diverse with respect to race, class, gender identity, and geography. It includes public school parents and teachers, people who are integrating their children and people whose schools have been impacted by both segregation and integration.
The reality on the ground – what we do in our chapters, our podcast, caregiver connection, and so on – will not look any different in January than it looks in December. But we believe that seating this new board is a pivotal step – one that will help us carry out the mission of Integrated Schools in a more coordinated, sustainable, and impactful way.
Read more about our new board members here!
I remain totally impressed how you all engage in really difficult topics around race.
What if we take the encouragement John Blake offers in Season 10, Episode 2, “If you really wanna see the magic happen, get people with different races together for a larger common purpose that goes beyond race.”
What if together we could put public schools on a trajectory of lasting change to benefit everyone? That would mean more talking about what makes a good education. Everyone has ideas about this; why not talk more about those ideas? Yes, it is all very complex. But, because so much is interconnected we need to revisit with guests like Linda and Kia Darling-Hammond. Often.
I am grateful for you all. And what a distinctive new Board!