START 2023
August 18-20, 2023
The
START Process
On August 18-20, 2023, student board members from across the nation will gather for START 2023, a virtual three-day conference dedicated to preparing them for the challenges and excitement of the student board member role.
The START process incorporates both informational and experiential learning in order to train student board members on the essentials of board service.
Alongside learning about school board governance, LEA budgeting, administrative policy, constituency engagement, and more, student board members will also get to practice each of these aspects of board service through Council Sessions and the creation of their START project: a complete personalized student board member policy proposal to the board of education.
Delegates will work with fellow student board members and a trained council staff member, a former student board member, themself to complete their START project. At the end of the 3-day conference, the delegates will have a chance to present their project to NSBMA's Intergenerational Educational Partner Cohort, a group of esteemed educational leaders from across the nation including superintendents, board of education presidents, non-profit CEOs, and policymakers.
START 2023 Schedule
Friday - August 18th, 2023
4PM PST/7PM EST
6PM PST/9PM EST
On day one of the START Conference, student board members will learn the core aspects of board governance, board policy, the role of the student board member, and the national educational mission. Delegates will also be sorted into their personalized council groups, with whom they will spend the rest of the conference working. Attendance on Day 1 is MANDATORY and will serve as a setup for the rest of the START curriculum and training.
Saturday - August 19, 2023
9AM PST/12PM EST
3PM PST/6PM EST
On day two of the START Conference, delegates shall be officially sorted into their conference council groups and assigned a council staff member and a research and policy team member, both former student board members. These START staffers will work personally with delegates, walking them through the creation of their START council project: a complete board policy proposal. Delegates will also learn about board meetings, LEA budgeting, and student outreach on day two.
Sunday - August 20, 2023
9AM PST/12PM EST
3PM PST/6PM EST
On day three of the START Conference, delegates will undergo a Mock Board Meeting and receive personalized advice from venerated and accomplished former student board members before finalizing their START projects. Finally, delegates will get a chance at the end of START to present their projects to NSBMA's Intergenerational Partner Cohort, an esteemed group of adult and student partners from across the nation.
NSBMA's START Conference is split into two organized session types: General and Council Sessions.
General Sessions
General sessions are held with the entire delegation. They are led by the START Conference Directors and often include field-expert guest speakers.
In General Sessions, student board members:
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receive training on essential aspects of board service, such as board meeting procedure, administrative policy, LEA budgeting, student outreach, and more;
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select their START proposal topics and groups;
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experience a Mock Board of Education meeting;
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learn about NSBMA, our resources, and additional opportunities for student board member advocacy and involvement
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present their finalized START proposal to NSBMA Intergenerational Education Partner Cohort for feedback and exposure.
Council Sessions
Council sessions are held in "Council Groups" of student board members all working on the same START proposal topic. They are led by a START Council Staffer and assisted by a START Research and Policy Staffer, both trained and experienced former student board members.
In Council Sessions, student board members:
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work with their Council Staffer and Research and Policy Staffer to brainstorm, ideate, draft, and finalize their START project;
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are guided through the intricate and complex considerations and decisions made in policy creation;
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bond and network with fellow student board members from across the nation;
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receive personalized feedback from the esteemed and accomplished former student board members highlighted by NSBMA
START
2023
Virtually
August 18-20, 2023
Why should your Student Board Member attend NSBMA's START?
NSBMA is the only organization offering training and professional development exclusively dedicated to serving the thousands of students on school boards in the country.
START is an authentic and engaging learning experience that uniquely matches the experiences of a student board member.
Bringing together student board members from across the nation, NSBMA is the only national convening of student trustees across the nation.
START immerses student board members into their incoming roles like no other training, ensuring that START delegates start their term on the right path.
NSBMA is a bipartisan organization dedicated to supporting every student board member in the pursuit of improving their school system.