Governance – Decision Making Process

In considering a new project, request, etc., ask the following:

• Do our members need it?
  Will it contribute to their growth? How many will it affect?
  What could happen if we don’t do it?
• Will it impact student learning/school improvement?
• What resources does it require?
• Other points to take into consideration:
  Who is requesting it?
  Is someone else already doing it?
  What are the best case and worst case scenarios?

Timeline

January

• Standing Committees meet, individual committee reports are developed, and items identified that require Board action

February

• Executive Committee reviews all completed committee reports, considers items submitted to the Executive Committee and items for recommendation to the Board, and analyzes the impact of the recommendations
• Officer liaisons call committee chairs to discuss Executive Committee discussion, information sent to Board of Directors
• Standing Committee Chairs submit committee reports to the Board of Directors
• Board takes action on the reports
• President-Elect recruits proposed Standing Committee volunteers

April

• Staff, by coordinating with committee chairs and officer liaisons, prepares a summary of Standing Committee recommendations and Board actions, sent to all committee members within six weeks for committee feedback
• TEPSA President-Elect finalizes Standing Committee proposed appointments

May

• TEPSA President-Elect notifies Standing Committee chairs and vice chairs of appointment
• Standing Committee volunteers presented to Executive Committee for approval

June

• Summer Conference: Board of Directors meeting and TEPSA Regional Officers and Standing Committees Leadership Training
• Summer Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Conference
• Proposed agendas for Standing Committee chair meeting and individual committee meetings submitted to Executive Committee at their transition meeting
• Chairs communicate with last year’s chair prior to the Board of Directors Leadership Conference
• Standing Committee chairs and vice chairs meet and develop draft of agenda for each committee and identify items for common agenda
• Board of Directors approves new Standing Committee appointments
• Staff sends a summary of Board of Directors actions that impact any committee discussion items

August

• President notifies Standing Committees and chairs of committee meeting date and welcomes new appointments
• Newly appointed committee members sent information from the prior year’s Standing Committee meeting
• Annual Report information sent to members

October/November

• Board of Directors Online Meeting
• Executive Committee reviews chair reports and finalizes agenda items
• President coordinates with officer liaisons, who coordinate with committee chairs

December

• Staff emails final agendas to chairs for review, and officer liaisons will communicate with committee chairs

History: Communication loop began with the 1991-1992 year