Montessori Children's School
Mission Statement
"Montessori Children's School Board of Directors stewards the school's mission and values by establishing strategic goals and policies, while allocating resources through the careful consideration of annual operating budgets. The board also works in tandem with the head of school and administrators to focus on long range and strategic planning efforts that ensure the Montessori Children's School remains a premier private school in the Onslow Community. MCS board members are committed to the success of the school, and observe the highest ethical standards and principles of fiscal integrity".
Michele Parsons
Vice President
Kinya Landeros
Secretary
Joann Johns
Treasurer
Rebeca Marks
Board Member at Large
Joe Adams
Board Member at Large
Peter Willett
Board Member at Large
Overview of Being a Board Member
The Board of the Montessori Children’s School is a volunteer organization of parents, directors/directresses, Head of School, alumni parents, and community members. Our Board model supports the Head of School who, in turn, supports the children, their families, and the staff.
The Board does not involve itself in the day-to-day running of the school. Rather, it sets and reviews school policies, oversees the budget and sets fiscal policy, raises funds for the school through our annual auction, participates on important committees, and identifies ways to make the school better.
Board members serve for a two-year term. At the Annual Board of Directors Meeting, new Board members are elected to replace those whose terms have expired. The new Board members should be committed to the well-being of the school and work to promote all policies and procedures as well as the long-term goals of the school.
The Board meets monthly throughout the year. Committees may meet more often.
Board members follow the organization’s bylaws, policies and board resolutions. Each member signs an annual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and updates it during the year, if necessary, as well as discloses potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings. Board members maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization. A Conflict of Interest Policy will be provided, reviewed, followed and signed by all members.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors, please contact Vice President, Michele Parsons: vicepresident@mcsjax.org
how we work?
Diverse. Inclusive. Inspiring
Core Duties of the Board
1. Duty of Care: Board members should be committed to following through on promises and assisting the organization to the best of their abilities. This means:
- Attending meetings and actively participating in committees
Communicating with the executive director and other board members
Following through on assignments
Supporting program initiatives
2. Duty of Loyalty: Board members should do more than show up. They should fully support and embody your organization’s mission and be loyal ambassadors for your cause. When acting on behalf of the organization, each board member must put aside their personal and professional interests. All activities and decisions should be in the best interest of the organization, not in the best interest of the individual board member.
3. Duty of Obedience: One of the more subtle duties of a nonprofit board member is obedience. The board should do everything in its power to reach organizational goals, but members still have an obligation to follow your organization’s guidelines. These are found in your governance documents, and every board member has a legal responsibility to understand them. A board that strays from your governance rules could steer your organization in the wrong direction or even impact your nonprofit’s standing in the community.
Board Expectations as a Whole
As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for:
Determining the mission and purposes of the organization
Selecting and evaluating the performance of the Head of School
Strategic and organizational planning
Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
Fundraising and resource development
Approving and monitoring the organization’s programs and services
Enhancing the organization’s public image
Assess its own performance as the governing body of the organization
Board Expectations of Individual Members
Each individual board member is expected to:
Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs and needs
Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements
Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization
Fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission
Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective actions to fully achieve the organization’s mission
Help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing
Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings
Participate fully in one or more committees
Board Position Details
Board Officers
President: The President shall be the chief executive officer and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, if such a committee is created by the Board.
Vice President: The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall assist that office in the discharge of its leadership duties. The Vice President shall chair (or a appoint another Director to) the Committee of Staff Relations which shall have at minimum one staff member from Primary, Elementary, and the front office.
Secretary: The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, shall keep an accurate list of the directors, and shall have the authority to certify any records, or copies of records, as the official records of the organization. The Secretary shall maintain the minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings and all committee meetings.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for conducting the financial affairs of the organization as directed and authorized by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, if any, and shall make reports of corporate finances as required, but no less often than at each meeting of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Members at Large: Members at large shall have duties as the Board assigns.
Board Calendar for 2024-2025
2024-2025 Open Meetings:
Please RSVP to mbrusaw@mcsjax.org
October 1st: 6pm-7pm
February 4th: 6pm-7pm
May 6th: 6pm-7pm
Board meetings are held on campus. Families who attend will receive 1 volunteer hour for attending.
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