Leading with Purpose - Governance Workshop for Education Leaders
Strong governance begins with aligned leadership.
This half-day pre-conference workshop, offered as an optional add-on to Elevate, brings together board presidents or chairs, superintendents, and board clerks or secretaries to strengthen how these roles work together.
Participants will clarify responsibilities, improve communication, and build practical systems that support transparent, accountable, student-centered governance. Leaders will leave with strategies they can put into practice immediately.
Because how your leaders work together shapes every outcome for your board and the students you serve.
Meet Your Facilitators
Registration & pricing:
Register your team for Leading with Purpose – A Governance Workshop for Education Leaders for $995, which includes workshop access for three governance team members from the same organization. This workshop is designed for three governance roles to participate together, creating a shared learning experience and aligned outcomes.
To participate, one clerk must be registered for the full Elevate conference. The $995 registration fee covers the workshop only and does not include full conference access.
Looking to bring a larger group? If you’d like to include more than three participants, please contact ibasso@diligent.com for additional options.
Governance Workshop for Education Leaders Agenda
Breakfast & Networking
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Enjoy breakfast and connect with fellow education leaders before the session begins.
The Mirror: Individual leadership & board readiness
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Effective governance begins with self-awareness. This session invites participants to reflect on their individual leadership styles, communication preferences, and decision-making approaches. Through guided discussion and leadership insights, participants explore how individual behaviors shape board dynamics and governance outcomes.
Focus areas include:
Individual leadership challenges
Leadership and working styles
Communication preferences and collaboration
The Window: Governance as a team & community accountability
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Strong governance teams understand who they serve and how they remain accountable. This session focuses on governance as a collective responsibility, exploring proven principles, models, and practices that support effective oversight in education. Participants also examine how boards gather feedback and engage the community in meaningful ways.
Focus areas include:
Five functions of a high-functioning governance team
Core governance principles and governance character
Governance models, including Coherent Governance and Policy Governance
Understanding stakeholder expectations and accountability
Engaging the community in policy development
The Sliding Door: Strategy, Oversight & Action (Working Lunch)
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
How does a board define the future and ensure progress without micromanaging? This working lunch session focuses on turning direction into action through clear expectations, monitoring, and communication. Participants explore practical tools that help boards stay aligned, focused, and outcome-driven.
Focus areas include:
Defining future priorities and expectations
Policy development for clarity and consistency
Community-driven strategic frameworks
Assessing reasonable progress toward board expectations
Board annual work plans and monitoring reports
Board communication, liaison roles, and shared understanding
Breakfast & Networking
The Mirror: Individual leadership & board readiness
The Window: Governance as a team & community accountability
The Sliding Door: Strategy, Oversight & Action (Working Lunch)
