The Board of Trustees is a group of individuals who volunteer their time to guide our school in carrying out our mission. This group includes:
|
Kathy Caringi
President |
Inge Stoll
Faculty Representative |
Becky Crosswhite
Parent Guild Steering Committee Representative
Parent Guild Steering Committee Representative
The board can be reached via email at board@cedarspringswaldorf.org.
work of the board
The primary responsibilities of the Board are fiscal, legal and strategic. Our members work to assure that we provide a quality service: that the policies and procedures that guide the work of the administration of our School meet all fiscal and legal requirements, as well as those set by our accrediting bodies (AWSNA, WECAN); that our operating budget is sound; that the Administration is effective; and that there is a strategic plan that guides our entire school in working collaboratively to carry out its mission. Our Board does not usually involve itself in specific academic matters or individual student or employee concerns. Rather, its work directs and guides the future course of the school.
The board works in partnership with faculty, staff and parents so that it can fully understand the concerns of each and strives to make informed decisions based on inclusiveness and cooperation. The majority of Board work is public to allow for transparency and clarity in how agreements are reached, decisions made, conflicts addressed and decisions are being carried out. If confidential matters must be discussed, the Board holds executive sessions, which are not public.
The board works in partnership with faculty, staff and parents so that it can fully understand the concerns of each and strives to make informed decisions based on inclusiveness and cooperation. The majority of Board work is public to allow for transparency and clarity in how agreements are reached, decisions made, conflicts addressed and decisions are being carried out. If confidential matters must be discussed, the Board holds executive sessions, which are not public.
strategic planning
Strategic planning is one of the primary responsibilities of the Board. The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) is a sub-group of the Board and is comprised of Board officers and representatives from Faculty, Administration and the Parent Guild Steering Committee. The Board, joined by the SPC, has just finished seven months of work to create a new Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan components include our mission, vision, and values; priorities; an implementation plan for achieving these priorities; and a plan to monitor progress. You may access a copy of the plan below:
The Board looks forward to our CSWS community beginning its implementation of the Strategic Plan on July 1st, 2019.
CSWS Bylaws
The Board governs based on the bylaws presented in the document below.
Joining the Board
Interested Community Members are encouraged to consider joining the Board. Guidelines for a trustee's qualifications (as detailed in the CSWS Bylaws above) are:
- Demonstrate commitment to Cedar Springs Waldorf School’s vision, mission, and values.
- Recognize the anthroposophical foundation of Waldorf education and be in harmony with it.
- Have one year of active participation in a school committee, in an anthroposophical endeavor, or as a faculty member.
- Be an active participant in the Cedar Springs Waldorf community.
- Work in harmony though a commitment to the consensus decision making process and its methods.
- Be able to attend regular meetings.
- Be willing and able to play a leadership role in at least one committee.
- Be able to contribute legal, organizational, financial, business and community development and other expertise required by the Board of Trustees.
- Be willing to exercise discretion and confidentiality in sensitive matters concerning the activities, decision, and discussion of the Board of Trustees.
- Have no marital or partner relationship with another Board member.
- Serve as a visible and active leader in the school community. Represent the school to the outer community. Stay consistently conscious of what is happening at the school and be actively involved.
- Enliven and strengthen the vision of the school through dealings and service within the school.
- Attend Board meetings regularly. Be prepared to report on committee work to coordinate work that is assigned at these committee meetings.
- Act as a leader or be an active member of one or more Board committees including carrying the work of the committee, coordinating and implementing decisions, proposals, plans, etc., and reporting back to the Board.
- Act as a leader for fundraising for the school.
- Cultivate leadership and participation throughout the parent body.
- Demonstrate financial responsibility to the school by being in compliance with the CSWS Accounts Receivable Policy.
board meetings
To carry out the responsibilities outlined above, the Board of Trustees holds regular, monthly public meetings. If you are interested in the work of the Board, you are welcome to join a meeting as a non-participating attendee. During meetings, the work of the various Board-sanctioned committees is reviewed and any operational or school policy issues are addressed. If you would like to attend a Board meeting, please email board@cedarspringswaldorf.org.