Presented by Jason Sarsfield at the 2015 Colorado Conference, this presentation is part of the Governing for Greatness Series.

1. GOVERNING FOR
GREATNESS
2015 COLORADO CHARTER SCHOOLS CONFERENCE
COLORADO LEAGUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
JOSEPH B. URBAN
JASON L. SARSFIELD
FEBRUARY 27, 2015

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National Charter Schools Institute
• The Institute is a values-driven, nonprofit organization
founded in 1995.
• Our mission is to strengthen the performance and
productivity of the charter schools sector.
• We coach and consult with boards, schools, authorizers,
support organizations and policymakers.
• Our team is composed of passionate professionals.
• We seek to understand, honor and support our clients.
• We believe in and strive to uphold the Golden Rule.

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Goals for Today
Share a Framework for
Greatness
Discuss Principles for
Governing
Inspire Hearts & Minds
Answer Questions
Have Fun!
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THIS SLIDE DECK IS ACCESSIBLE AT

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RELATIONSHIPS
“People don’t care how
much you know until they
know how much you care.”

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“Good is the enemy
of great.”
Jim Collins

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Superior Performance
Distinctive Impact
Lasting Endurance
What Is Greatness?

10. Collins’ Good-to-Great Framework
OUTPUT RESULTS
STAGE 1: DISCIPLINED PEOPLE
INPUT PRINCIPLES
Level 5 Leadership
First Who, Then What
STAGE 2: DISCIPLINED THOUGHT
Confront the Brutal Facts
The Hedgehog Concept
STAGE 3: DISCIPLINED ACTION
Culture of Discipline
The Flywheel
STAGE 4: BUILDING GREATNESS
TO LAST
Clock Building,
Not Time Telling
Preserve Core,
Stimulate Progress
DELIVERS SUPERIOR
PERFORMANCE
MAKES A DISTINCTIVE IMPACT
ACHIEVES LASTING ENDURANCE
Beyond Any Leader,
Idea or Setback
On the Communities
It Touches
Relative to Its Mission

11. Sharpening Your Focus

12. Building for
Breakthrough

13. “Greatness...is largely a
matter of conscious
choice and discipline.”
Jim Collins

14. Purpose of Governance
“To ensure, usually on behalf of
others, that an organization achieves
what it should achieve while
avoiding those behaviors and
situations that should be avoided.”
Dr. John Carver
Boards That Make a Difference

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Purpose of a Charter School
Governing Board
“To ensure, on behalf of the public, that
students are learning, money and
resources are well stewarded, and the
organization passionately pursues
greatness, while modeling the highest
legal and ethical principles.”
Dr. James Goenner
National Charter Schools Institute

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Common Board Challenges
Dysfunctional Group Dynamics
Disengaged Board Members
Uncertainty About Roles and
Responsibilities
Source: Problem Boards or Board Problems?
The Nonprofit Quarterly
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17. Some People Observe That…
“ Trustees are often little more
than high-powered,
well-intentioned people
engaged in low-level activities.”
Chait, Holland and Taylor

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A Simple Way to Frame Roles
Governing Board
=
To Ensure
Management
=
To Execute

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Would a Great
Leader Want to
Serve on or Work
for Your Board?
The First Thing the
Board Governs Is Itself
“Know Thyself”

20. Leadership
Pyramid

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Level 5 Leaders Want to Work for a Board That…
• Knows its purpose and why it exists
• Understands it is the highest authority in
the organization
• Knows it represents the public
• Is disciplined in its role and behaviors and
those of its individual members
• Is trustworthy and predictable.

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Level 5 Leaders Want to Work for a Board That…
• Uses its authority to empower, not strangle
• Ensures the organization is effective
and efficient
• Has high expectations and measures
performance
• Is unafraid to judge, but does so fairly
• Continuously earns credibility.

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“We believe boards that
govern for greatness ask
wise questions and measure
things that really matter.”
Dr. James Goenner
National Charter Schools Institute

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Wise Questions
HOW WELL IS OUR SCHOOL…
Preparing Students for College, Work and Life
Leveraging Resources
Fulfilling Its Commitments?

25. Where Does
Your Board
Spend Its
Time?
First Things First

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12 Responsibilities of a Charter School Board
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ENSURE all students are being prepared for success in
college, work and life.
ENSURE the public’s money and resources are well
stewarded.
ENSURE the organization is run by a great leader and
infused with a positive culture and learning environment.
ENSURE the terms of the charter contract are fulfilled and
the organization is prepared for renewal.

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ENSURE the organization continuously improves
and stays viable.
ENSURE the organization is true to its vision,
mission and values.
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ENSURE the organization operates legally and
ethically.
12 Responsibilities of a Charter School Board
ENSURE goals are clear and people and programs
are wisely empowered, supported, evaluated and
held accountable.

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ENSURE the board and its members are positive
ambassadors for the charter idea!
ENSURE the board recruits, orients and develops
its members and its capacity to govern.
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ENSURE the board adopts and properly maintains its
governing policies.
ENSURE the board speaks with one voice.
12 Responsibilities of a Charter School Board

29. THANK YOU!
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