Governance Committee Interests and Principles

• OSBA should continue to be a member-driven organization that focuses on local governance;
  
• OSBA needs to continue to have "one voice" to have strength and influence at the Legislature;
  
• The governance structure needs to enhance member unity and engagement thereby strengthening the OSBA;
  
• Unity may be increased through member participation and input:
  
  • Member voting encourages empowerment and engagement in the process;
    
  • Knowledge as a prerequisite to informed decisions is critical;
    
  • Richness of ideas through dialogue and discussion is important;
    
  • New "voices" should be encouraged.
    
• Four critical values: Fairness, Balance, Involvement, and Representation:
  
  • Fairness in giving weight and representation to member input;
    
  • Balance between boards as the fundamental unit of OSBA and the number of students in the district;
    
  • Involvement of boards, as entities, should be given weight and consideration;
    
  • Representation of regions is important but should reflect actual regional interests;
    
• Consistency and transparency in association governance processes should be improved:
  
  • Clarity of roles and responsibilities in the governance structure should be evident;
    
  • Member understanding of the governance process is fundamental;
    
• Continuity of leadership statewide for the association and for the OSBA board:
  
  • Planning for succession needed;
    
  • Learning curve impacts need accommodation;
    
  • Quality of leadership is a significant consideration;
    
• The governance system needs checks and balances
  
• A "sense of place" is important to members