Supporting Your ECE Board

Compiled by Julie Yamada

For the early childhood director, one of the responsibilities on your plate is to be an active member of your ECE board. As you know there is much planning to do before the meeting, such as getting the minutes from the previous meeting out to board members, reminders to send out, agenda to prepare, a report on how the early childhood program is doing, etc. It may sometimes seem as if the board is giving you more things to add to your already full plate but let's take a look at an ECE board from another perspective.
Let's take a look at the ECE board in the role of partner with the ECE program that brings value and support to help the program meet the mission of the program for children and families.

Getting to Know the Board Members

Take some time on a monthly biases to check in with the board chair to report any updates, issues or prepare for the next board meeting.
Arrive early enough to give yourself time to set up some snacks. As board members arrive, take a moment to connect with them and answer any questions they have.
During the board meeting, take some time to share about what positive things are happening in the ECE program and any success the teachers may be experiencing.
Have the children and teachers work together to create thank you cards to send to the board members. This will let them know that the time they give to the ECE program board is appreciated and important to the program.

Board Member Recruitment

Have a Board Welcome Letter and information about how to volunteer with the board in the packet that is given out to new families.
Think about the type of skills/talents a person could have that would help the ECE program succeed.

New Board Member Training
Once you have recruited a parent/community member/church member to serve on the ECE program board, it is important that they are able to gain a better understanding of the early childhood environment. They will need to understand the importance of communication and respect the confidentiality of what is discussed in a board meeting session.

Introducing the ECE Board to the ECE program Families

Create a bulletin board in the entry that highlights the board members. Keep it fun and interesting with photos of current members and their backgrounds.
Have a place reserved in the monthly newsletter for any board updates and have current information about the ECE board on the ECE program web site. Include a calendar that shows board events and meetings.

As the director, you serve as the representative of the board to the families. This will help you connect parents to the board who are interested in volunteering or who have a specific talent that could be beneficial to the board in helping the ECE program succeed. As you work on building relationships, clear communication and staying organized, you are in the long run supporting the board members and this will go a long way in achieving success as a team. The families, children and staff will notice the difference that you and the ECE board are making when you all work as team and provide the leadership for a high quality ECE program.

ECE Board Resources

Staying on Course - The Early Childhood Board's Guide to Success by Syretha O. Story, PH.D, Barbara McCreedy, Helen Stine
Adventist Learning Community Courses
- Adventist School Board (K-12) Leadership Training (Relevant information that can be applied to an ECE board)
- Adventist School Board (K-12) Membership Training (Relevant information that can be applied to an ECE board)
Pacific Union Conference ECE Policy Manual
- Local Program Board Policies # 5400

Reference
McCreedy, Barb. (2019 March/April). Managing an Effective Board. Exchange. Retrieved from https://www.childcareexchange.com/article/managing-an-effective-board-of-directors/5024678/

"Coming Together is the beginning. Keeping together is the progress. Working together is the success." - Henry Ford

Self-care for the Mind, Body and Spirit
Compiled by Julie Yamada

During these busy and strange times, it is important to take moments to care for yourself. Here are some ideas to consider:

Uplifting your Spirit - Take time to spend with God in prayer and in his word. God is your biggest cheerleader and he will always help you through crazy times.
Take time to read a book that does not necessarily have to do with your profession. Sometimes it is nice to melt away into a good book.
Make time to connect with friends. Friends are important for social and emotional health. Schedule a phone call or Zoom call, take a walk, meet for lunch and have some fun!
Body care - take a few minutes to work out at your desk. Sitting in a chair at your desk or in your classroom:
- Stretch your arms over your head then link fingers. Take 5 deep breaths.
- Stretch your arms behind you then link fingers. Take 5 deep breaths.
- Side stretch - Stretch your arms to one side and touch the ground if you can then stretch to the other side and touch the ground. Do this 3 times on each side.
- Stand up and do 5 squats.
Healthy Snack break
- Have a healthy smoothie, veggies and hummus, apple with peanut butter, etc. Build your own Smoothie recipes.
For other ideas, see the PUC Directors' Guide under "Survival Skills and Strategies."

Opening Reports

ECE Opening Reports are due on September 30th. Please follow the instructions in the power point your received from your local conference ECE liaison via email . You will now be filling this out online on the SDA Education Dashboard.
The question on certification pertains to those who have Elementary SDA certification and Elementary State teaching credentials. You would leave these questions blank or with a zero.
Thank you to those who have completed the opening reports, I can see them on Dashboard!

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Pacific Union Conference ECEC Division · PO Box 5005 · Westlake Village, CA 91361 · USA