SPICE 2009 Model Governance Descriptions
"Design for Success II: Configuring New Governance Models"
The Journey and the Dream: New Governance Model for Catholic Urban Education
Consortium of the Alliance for Catholic Urban Education
Diocese of Covington
P.O. Box 15550
Covington, KY 41015-1550
“The Journey and the Dream: New Governance Model for Catholic Urban Education” describes the creation of a new governance structure for six urban Catholic schools to assure the continued availability, affordability and accessibility of Catholic education for urban families. This new model governs the Alliance for Catholic Urban Education Consortium of the Diocese of Covington.
The presentation describes:
- the creation of a central office structure to enhance organizational effectiveness and to secure alternate sources of funding for six schools;
- the relationship between a bishop, pastors of thirteen parishes, principals, an executive director and the superintendent;
- the transition from six local boards to one governing board;
- the selection of board members;
- centralization of all financial matters;
- the development efforts to secure alternate sources of funding; and
- the various transitions involved in creating a new structure.
Diocese of Monterey
485 Church Street
P.O. Box 350
Monterey, CA 93940
As Pope Benedict XVI stated at the Ecclesial Conference in Rome on May 28, 2009, “Lay people are not merely the clergy’s collaborators, but rather share in the responsibility of the Church’s ministry.” The Diocese of Monterey has created genuine options for pastors involving the appointment of a Canonical Administrator and the utilization of school boards that include parents, parishioners, and community members. The board is responsible for:
- planning,
- policy formation,
- oversight of financial operations,
- oversight of and participation in institutional advancement programs, and
- mission effectiveness.
The Board of Directors consists of 9 to 17 members from the parent, parish, and broader community. Each member chairs a committee which may involve individuals from outside the board. Friends, relatives, and school personnel can be invited to serve on committees to share their knowledge and expertise. The committees also serve as a pool of candidates for board members.
Three board models:
- Pastor is responsible for the educational ministries of the parish, including the school, with a consultative board.
- Pastor is responsible for the educational ministries of the parish, including the school, with a board of limited jurisdiction.
- Pastor collaborates with a Canonical Administrator who names a board of limited jurisdiction.
Using Regional Foundations and Consortiums to Support Multiple Catholic Schools
Fulcrum Foundation
710 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
The Fulcrum Foundation is a separate 501c3, founded in 2002, that supports all 70 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Our direct goal is to leverage support for the Catholic schools of this region to keep them open, accessible, and excellent. We do this through grant programs for Tuition Assistance, Block Grants for Schools in Need, and Grants for Teachers.
Our indirect goal is to build community among the schools and to step away from a model of “every school/parish for itself.” Our belief is that schools should be in communion and working together. Resources should go from places of abundance to places of need.
Operation of Governance Model
The Fulcrum Foundation is separately incorporated and board managed. We are a 501c3 Sole Membership Corporation. The archbishop, not the archdiocese, will always serve as our Sole Member. Our 26 member board manages the policy and vision. It consists of elected members representing business leaders, philanthropists, educators, clergy, and administrators. We also have several ex-officio spots that attempt to guarantee we will always work closely with key stakeholders. For instance, the superintendent of Catholic schools has an ex-officio spot on our board, as do the chair of the archdiocesan School Board and a delegate of the archbishop (non-voting).
Guiding principles to build strong schools:
- Solidarity
- Subsidiarity
- Stewardship
How the Model Meets the Goals
Achievement of our goals requires aggressive fundraising, as well as detailed policies and procedures to ensure effective grant making.
- Fundraising
- Capital Campaign established endowments and immediate needs funding, lead gifts lent credibility, and a rich 10,000 record database was built.
- Major annual fundraising dinner builds community and raises annual operating funds and program dollars.
- Policies and Procedures
- Committee structure
- In-depth application review
- Systems Analysis Teams (“SAT”)
School and Community Involvement
Our structure is greatly composed of collaborative mechanisms and our support entirely comes from broad sources.
- Board and committee membership designed to be inclusive.
- Key annual event brings together 1,200 guests from every school community in the Archdiocese.
- Funding sources include many major secular organizations, as well as gifts of all sizes from students and religious and CEOs.
- Targeted initiatives such as a business alliance and young professionals group.
- Grants are distributed throughout the region.
Adapting our model for other Catholic schools, for example, inner-city, rural, urban, and large schools.
Our model is not written in stone. Many of the individual components of what we do can be replicated elsewhere without taking the whole plan. Since the region we serve contains many types of school communities, we believe we are necessarily built to be adaptable. Specialized collaborative models have been created in our region to serve unique communities.
We do much to help schools with their development and are willing to be advisors to others outside our region. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Governance Model
Xaverian Brothers Schools
4409 Frederick Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21229
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools is a network of 13 Catholic High Schools which are sponsored by the Congregation of the Xaverian Brothers. They are located in five states in a variety of geographic areas. They include urban, rural, as well as suburban locations.
The network is a collaborative effort between the Xaverian Brothers and lay colleagues with four constitutive elements: Common Mission and Foundational Goals, Common Governance Structure involving boards of limited jurisdiction that are independent and parallel, a commitment to a vision of formation at all levels, and a variety of networking opportunities. All four elements are necessary if the school is to call itself Xaverian.
A truly significant element of the network is the commitment to the shared educational mission of the Xaverian Brothers and the shared responsibility of that mission. While the schools live out that mission in their own unique context, they are committed to formational programs at all levels which ensure that the mission is lived out in each school. The programs, which are coordinated by the XBSS Sponsorship Office, include joint orientations for new faculty, administrators, and board members. Every six years, each school conducts a Mission Effectiveness process which is a self-reflection on this Mission and a visit by representatives of the other XBSS schools for a review. The process is directed by the personnel of the Sponsorship Office and is submitted to the XBSS members for their review.
The network has a three-tiered governance structure with the Congregational Leadership of the Xaverian Brothers holding the reserve powers over Mission and Alienation of Property required by Canon law. The leadership also appoints the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School Members, the next tier in the structure. The XBSS members are a group of Xaverian Brothers and lay colleagues who hold reserve powers over the schools. Those include the Alienation and Mission powers as well as controlling the Corporate Documents of the schools, approval of encumbrance of property and creation of any associated legal entities. The XBSS Members also appoint the Board of Directors/Trustees of the schools.
Xaverian sponsorship relies strongly on the vision and abilities of local board members working individually, in small groups or committees, and as a body of the board, to carry out the Mission, Goals and Values of Xaverian sponsored education. The Xaverian approach to education is not just about “education,” although it clearly promotes excellence in education. Xaverian education is also not just about the management and business involved in conducting a good school, although it definitely requires effective management and sound business practices. At its foundations, the Xaverian approach is based on the conviction that governance is also a ministry—an action of service to and with others flowing from a deep faith commitment.