How To Join The Governance Council

The Sugar Maple Nature School is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the Northern Ozaukee School District (NOSD). By law, charter Governance Councils (GC)are held accountable by the authorizer, the state, and the public to ensure that the school is operating in accordance with its original purpose and doing so in a responsible manner. More specifically, the Governance Council focuses on student achievement, acts strategically, recruits exceptional educators, utilizes resources wisely, and ensures the school is maintaining their mission and reaching their goals.

FAQs

  • As a Council member, you are responsible for ensuring that the academic program of SMNS is successful; that the organization's program and operation are faithful to the terms of its charter; and that the school is a viable organization.

    • Determine the mission and purpose of the school and keep it clearly in focus.

    • Select the Administrator.

    • Support and review the performance of the Administrator.

    • Ensure effective organizational planning.

    • Ensure adequate resources

    • Manage resources effectively

    • Determine, monitor and strengthen the programs and services

    • Enhance the School’s public standing

    • Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability

    • Recruit and orient new Council members and assess Council performance

    • Each GC member is responsible for actively participating in the work of the Council.

    • GC members are volunteers, and no compensation is paid for their time and effort in fulfilling their duties as Council Members.

    • Attend council and committee meetings, regularly, in accordance with council’s attendance/absenteeism policy.

  • Each Council is responsible for actively participating in the work of the Governance Council and the life of the organization. Each member is expected to affirm and strive to fulfill the performance expectations and the Council will nominate a candidate only after s/he has agreed to fulfill these expectations. In addition to the responsibilities below, individual Council Members are expected to help each other fulfill the tasks outlined in the collective job description and GC Norms.

    1. Believe in and be an active advocate and ambassador for the values, mission, and vision of the school.

    2. Work with fellow Council members to fulfill the obligations of council membership.

    3. Behave in ways that clearly contribute to the effective operations of the Governance Council:

    4. Behave in ways that clearly contribute to the effective operations of the Governance Council:

      • Focus on the good of the organization and group, not on a personal agenda

      • Support council decisions once they are made

      • Participate in an honest appraisal of one's own performance and that of the council

      • Build awareness of and vigilance towards governance matters rather than management.

    5. Regularly attend board and committee meetings. Prepare for these meetings by reviewing materials and bringing the materials to meetings. If unable to attend, notify the council or committee chair. Be aware of, and abide by, the council’s attendance policy.

    6. Be prepared to contribute approximately 8-10 hours per month toward board service.

    7. Remain informed about the organization and its issues by reviewing materials, participating in council discussions, and asking strategic questions.

    8. Actively participate in one or more fundraising event(s) annually.

    9. Use personal and professional contacts and expertise for the benefit of the school

    10. Serve as a committee or task force chair or member.

    11. Give an annual financial contribution and support capital campaigns at a level that is personally meaningful.

    12. Inform the Council of any potential conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, and abide by the decision of the council related to the situation.

  • Be prepared to contribute approximately 8-10 hours per month toward Council service which includes:

    • Attending monthly Council meetings (4-6 hours)

    • Participating on a Council committee (2 hours)

    • Reading materials, preparing for meetings (1 hour)

    • Attending events, assisting with fundraising and other school ambassador tasks as needed (1-2 hours)

  • Council Members shall be elected by an action of the Governance Council. Applications forms are reviewed by the Governance Council members who are charged with reviewing the applicants to determine which, if any, candidates meet the role criteria and best fit the school’s current leadership needs. Upon nomination from Council members, candidates will be put forth for a majority vote.

    Please note: That neither applications or nominations guarantee a seat on the Council.

  • Election of Council Members occurs each year at the Annual Meeting. In the case of vacant seats during the school year, applicants will be reviewed as they are received, on an as needed basis.

  • Interested parties are asked to complete the Governance Council Expression of Interest form found linked on this page. If you are having trouble with the embedded form, you can also access it here: https://forms.gle/cLusEHBE8xpqA2yS6

Actions to take before applying

Prior to completion of the Governance Council Expression of Interest form found below, we recommend that, at a minimum, all prospective members attend at least one Governance Council meeting and familiarize themselves with the following resources: