Ready, Set, Govern! New Board Member Onboarding Workshops

Our interactive Ready, Set, Govern! workshops are designed to set you on the road to success. During each of these workshops, we will cover foundational elements of good governance, such as understanding the governance roles of the board, management roles of the superintendent, and tips for fostering good communication to support an effective board-superintendent team partnership. We’ll also review policy and explore strategies for responding to questions or concerns from community members, families, and staff. The application of engaging real-life scenarios will provide the opportunity to apply what we’ve learned and deepen your understanding of the vital nature of your governance work.

Check out our workshop options list below to find the location that best suits you!

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All regional workshops are $125.00 per attendee, and will run from 5:30–8 p.m., with a meal provided at 5 p.m.

• NEW DATE! Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Emmetsburg Schools
  Emmetsburg High School—205 King St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536
  Library—Enter through door 4
   
• CANCELED! Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, 5–8 p.m.,—Hosted by Van Meter Schools
  Van Meter Secondary Building—520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261
  East Dining Hall—Enter through door 2 on the east side of the building
   
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Mississippi Bend AEA

Mississippi Bend AEA—729 21st St, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Learning Center—Enter through the main entrance (door B11) by the flag pole


• Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Mount Pleasant Schools
  

Mount Pleasant High School—2104 South Grand Ave, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
Media Center—Enter through the main entrance, go left down the hallway, and it will be the first door on the left

• Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Clear Creek Amana Schools
  East Ridge Elementary School—2950 Crossing Ridge Dr, Coralville, IA 52241
  Library—Enter through the main entrance; the library is on the second floor (elevator available)

• Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Corning/Southwest Valley Schools
  Corning Elementary School—1012 10th St, Corning, IA 50841
  Staff Lounge—Enter through the main entrance; the staff lounge is down the hall; look for signs
  
  
• Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Glenwood Schools
Glenwood High School—504 East Sharp St, Glenwood, IA 51534 
Media Center—Enter through the main entrance at the front of the building; the media center is right inside the doors

• Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Carroll Schools
Carroll High School—2809 N Grant Rd, Carroll, IA 51401
Media Center—Enter through the main entrance at the front of the building

• Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Decorah Schools
  Decorah High School—100 Claiborne Dr, Decorah, IA 52101
  Commons—Enter through the southwest activities entrance (door 33)
   
• Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, 5–8 p.m.—Hosted by Oelwein Schools
  RAMS Center —1400 Technology Dr, Oelwein, IA 50662 Room 104—Enter through the east entrance double doors; look for classroom signs
  

What to Expect

• Understanding Governance & Management Roles—What is a governance role and how do I get some? Not a simple task, but as a board member you will be setting direction and have ongoing oversight of the district from the 30,000-foot level! We will talk through fundamental board responsibilities and provide a framework for learning critical information. Identifying and differentiating the governance work of the board and the management work of the superintendent isn’t always easy. We will talk through how important all the work is and how the board sets direction and then passes that on to the superintendent for implementation.
   
• Learning Your Legal Role in Meetings & Board Policy—The work of the board occurs in meetings when the board is together. We will talk about best practices, as well as about transparency laws to ensure the board provides public access to meetings and allows the public to hear the deliberation of the board. As you learn about your legal responsibilities, you will also learn more about the important role board policy plays in decision-making at the table.
   
• Addressing Concerns & Complaints with Staff & the Public—From time-to-time board members may hear from staff or from members of the public with concerns or complaints. While board members may feel obligated to find an answer to every question or issue, that isn’t always necessary. Districts have policies around how communication with staff and the public work best, and those policies are often stated as chain of command. This is never meant to be a barrier to conversation, but rather a model of governance and the best way to help a staff member or a member of the public. You will have an opportunity to practice answering some sticky questions while following board policy and helping your public to better understand your governance role.