Board of Trustees -- Price of Admission

[Anonymous]

My DC's school prides itself on being multicultural and diverse, including socioeconomically diverse. You will often hear people describe the school as down-to-earth and not at all snobby. HOWEVER, the school's board just sent out its annual letter soliciting nominations of people to serve as trustee, and in addition to seeking certain skill sets, the letter makes it very clear that only those with the ability and willingness to donate large sums to all fundraising efforts are wanted. So those of us at the school who are "socioeconomically" diverse are not welcomed in this capacity. On the one hand, I can hardly imagine why people would seek a position that requires such a great amount of time and responsibility ... but quite frankly, the notion that one must basically pay for the "privilege" rather disgusts me and negates the atmosphere of egalitarianism supposedly in existence.

[Anonymous]

Ouch. Very harsh post. Our DC attends the same school.

With all due respect, you are reading far too much into one sentence in the letter that you received. The school has never nominated Trustees ONLY on the basis of wealth and fundraising ability.

While some Trustees are quite wealthy, certainly not all are wealthy, and the school searches for certain skill sets in Trustees regardless of wealth. The school searches hard for Trustees with certain skills, abilities, and an understanding of what the school is all about. In fact, I know two trustees (and I'm sure there are others) who are not wealthy and serve on the Board due to their love of the school, their skills, and their ability to contribute those skills and ability to the school (although they are not able to contribute a lot of money). I also know two trustees who are very wealthy, but also share a deep love of the school and understanding of its mission, and, fortunately, an ability and desire to contribute monetarily and help fundraise. It is a very unfortunate reality that tuition does not cover then entire cost of the education, and all school MUST be able to fundraise successfully in order to continue to keep tuition under some semblance of control, and continue to offer scholarships so that the school can continue to pursue its mission of being culturally and socio-economically diverse.

The school is EXACTLY the way it presents itself as being. It is a shame that you have chosen to mis-interpret the letter this way. If you are so concerned, then why don't YOU run for the Board of Trustees? Why don't YOU talk to the Head of School about how you perceive the letter (he is very open and responsive to parent concerns). Why on earth do you post something so hateful and ill-conceived on this message board?

[Anonymous]

PP, you start your post with, "Ouch. Very harsh post....With all due respect," and conclude by calling OP's words "hateful"? Wow. Between the two of you, I'm going with OP. If the school is as socially conscious and down-to-earth as you both describe, couldn't the administration have done a better job of framing the issue?

[Anonymous]

I didn't find it hateful at all. Just accurate.

[Anonymous]

8:49 here. PP, you are right that I should not have used the word "hateful" to describe the OP's words. It was an unconsidered word used at the last minute after I became a bit too upset about having to defend my DC's school against what I firmly believe is a misperception by the OP. I apologize to the OP for using the word "hateful" to describe his/her words..I can tell that OP is truly feeling hurt by his/her belief about what the letter implied, and that is really a shame.

However, I reiterate that the OP is wrong about those who are "socioeconomically diverse" not being welcomed as Trustees.

Having apologized, I again urge the OP to express their views to other parents at the school or the Head of the School in hopes of resolving the conflict. If no one at the school knows how you perceived that letter and how you feel about it, then no resolution is possible.

[Anonymous]

PP, I think OP's views are widely held and you sound like you're in a position to do something about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, I think OP's views are widely held and you sound like you're in a position to do something about it.

PP here. Nope, not in a position to do anything about it, except as another parent trying to urge the OP and others who might hold OP's view to talk it out with the appropriate people. Like the OP, I also do not have the time to dedicate to the Board, or even to volunteer as much as I would like. But, I love the school and what it is doing for my child, and try to support it as much as I can through both my available time and my (meager) financial means. We certainly sacrifice to send my DC to the school and help with our time when we are able, and we hope that we will continue to be able to do so. I am very grateful to all who support the school, in whatever way they can...as trustees, financial contributors, or through the gift of time. I only wish the OP felt a part of the same community, all working toward the same goal of helping the school, and ultimately all of the children lucky enough to attend.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't see it as "paying for the privilege" of being on the board. Boards like these are supposed to raise money. My understanding is that that is their primary job. At least that's the way it works with many nonprofits and I'm assuming schools work similarly. (Someone correct me if I am wrong.) I'm very happy to let people with big bucks and connections to other people with big bucks do the heavy lifting on the board.

For the record, I don't know what school this is and I'm wondering if it's my dd's crunchy granola school. If it is, just want to say that I don't have the money or the connections to raise the kind of money they need and I'm happy to let other people do it. I'll continue to bring baked goods for the fall festival.

I understand why you're upset, OP. I just think you misunderstand one of the main purposes for having these boards.

[Anonymous]

If it's okay to reveal, what school is this?

[Anonymous]

Sorry to say -- MOST nonprofit boards have a minimum give/get financial requirement regardless of the mission statement/purpose of the organization. It should not be seen as an elitist idea ie: only those w/ enough money can be on the Board and manage the direction of the organization. Its more a "put your money where your mouth is" idea. I've worked for many nonprofits and often the Board Members who give the most $$ also spend as much time governing and solution seeking. There are certainly those who just want to pad their resume/cv w/ what Boards they serve on, etc. But many are philanthropic and have the org's best interests at heart.

[Anonymous]

Board members are typically connected, wealthy or founders! In the best case, all three! Only those with chips on their shoulder about wealth and privilege would get upset about the contents of the letter from the school. It's just a fact of life that people with connections, access and money are highly favored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's okay to reveal, what school is this?

I haven't posted yet, but I think I can guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's okay to reveal, what school is this?

I haven't posted yet, but I think I can guess.

Please do tell!

[Anonymous]

I think it's Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

It's not my school and I don't care. This issue is the case at probably all schools. Some are just more up front about it.