Boards

Criteria for Selecting New Board Members

Selection Criteria

Honesty and integrity. Will speak up for beliefs. Willing to disagree and express dissenting opinions assertively in school/board deliberations - while respecting other people with differing opinions. Able to maintain confidentiality

Is fully committed to Montessori principles. Understands Montessori or at least how it differs from conventional education.

Has a passion for the school and commitment to our stakeholders and our school’s Visions, Mission and Values

Has had at least one child in lower elementary (Cycle 2) for one year (they’ve made it past the “beautiful and easy” early childhood –age 3-6-level (Cycle 1) and into the testing time of the elementary years

Understanding of practical parenting issues - or at least open to learn new ways

Strongly developed listening skills - and a desire to understand others and their views

Positive nature

Teamwork - ability to work with others

Appropriate reasons for wanting to join the Board. Willingness to join

Able to leave personal issues aside - and address them as a parent (not as a Board member)

Understands the Board has a governance role (not managerial role)

Propensity to think in terms of systems and context

Has the ability and enthusiasm to deal with values, vision and long term perspective

Can bring some special skills to the Board (eg, Treasurer with financial/accounting skills, mother, marketing, risk management, business management experience, legal background, past education/Board experience)

Selection process

Board member nominates the prospective member

Board President and Principal check prospect's background - via staff comments & personal interaction

Board President and Principal meet with prospect

Prospective candidate meets with Montessori Resource Director

Prospect is keen to join Board and contribute

Decision and nomination

• Decision by Board President and Principal

• Board President and Principal encourage person to nominate or accept position

• Person accepts and completes induction

Contributed by Malcolm Roberts, former Board Chair of the Brisbane Montessori School, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia