When I was a Head of an independent school, we tried creating an advisory board ("Head's Council") and I found it both rewarding and problematic...and ultimately canceled it after 2 years. The problem: knowing what the goal of the Board is and giving them the opportunity to contribute without creating a long-term headache for the admin who has to take care of the group and steward them. I spoke with someone last night at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and she has an advisory Board of 150 and makes it work...but it's a lot of work. Know what you ultimately want from this group (financial support? Professional advice and counsel? Sounding board? Prospective Trustee vetting ground?) and keep the expectations clear and tightly focused. Have your system for supporting the group clearly mapped out and ownership determined. Know the goals for it. Have a trusted partner who is outside the admin of the organization be the lead and use them to understand how to set appropriate agendas and expectations. But know that it becomes a burden--mine turned into a dog and pony show that ultimately had the group ask me out loud in a meeting "is this helping you?"--that takes time and energy away from other things. If they don't have a purpose that truly serves your larger goals, it will be an albatross. If they have a tight, focused goal and clear expectations that are manageable from within, it can be helpful.

Hello, everyone—I’m pleased to have joined this community and look forward to learning with everyone. As an independent school educator and leader I came to work with Boards a great deal and then joined several. After stepping away from school leadership I took on the CEO role at a Boston area nonprofit, Crossroads, and am working now on building up our Board. Plenty to learn—