What is START?
Student Trustee Action Readiness Training (START) is NSBMA’s annual three-day, interactive online conference designed to prepare incoming Student Board Members for a successful term of service. Recognizing the unique responsibility of representing a sole student constituency at the governance table, START equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead effectively from day one.
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Through a dynamic peer-to-peer and near-peer learning model, participants engage in hands-on workshops on board governance, district policy, student outreach, and effective advocacy. Students collaborate in Council Group Sessions—centered on an issue area selected by the delegation—to brainstorm, draft, refine, and present a comprehensive policy proposal. The experience culminates in a simulated mock board meeting and formal presentations to NSBMA’s Intergenerational Partner Panel (IPP) Cohort, providing real-time feedback from experienced education leaders.
“How valuable my voice and opinion are during board meetings."
"Different ways to communicate with my fellow students and staff in my district"
"How to brainstorm ideas and turn them into proposals for the school board."
One thing I learned at START is...
START Conference
The START process incorporates both informational and experiential learning in order to train student board members on the essentials of board service.​
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Alongside learning about school board governance, LEA budgeting, administrative policy, constituency engagement, and more, student board members 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 work with fellow student board members and a trained council staff member, who is a former student board member themselves, to complete their START project. During the 3-day conference, the delegates present their policy proposal to NSBMA's Intergenerational Partner Panel, a group of esteemed educational leaders from across the nation including superintendents, board of education presidents, non-profit CEOs, and policymakers.
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.
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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 a policy proposal.​ 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.
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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 policy proposal;
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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
Attendance & Financial Barriers
Please work to finalize any attendee changes and notify us by the following dates in order to secure a refund and ensure the best conference experience for all attendees. You may submit a change request by emailing allyson.chan@nsbma.net to be considered for a refund.
-Changes on or before July 31st: Fees will be refunded in full.
-Changes on or before August 14th: 50% of fees will be refunded.
-Changes after September 4th: Fees will not be refunded.
For students who are interested in attending, here are email templates you can use to email your district.
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If the cost of the conference is a barrier to your student board member's attendance, please reach out to allyson.chan@nsbma.net, and we will work to support you.
Why should your Student Board Member attend NSBMA's START Conference?
​Now in its fourth year, this three-day virtual conference is an essential opportunity for student board members to get the tools they need to be active, collaborative participants during their year of service. At NSBMA, we believe that all school board members—including students—deserve high-quality training, professional development, and networking opportunities to be effective leaders. That’s why we created START, a peer-to-peer and near-peer learning experience designed specifically to meet the unique needs of student board members.
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START is the only national training designed exclusively for student board members, bringing together student trustees from across the country for an authentic and engaging learning experience. Through immersive training tailored to their unique roles, START ensures delegates begin their term prepared and confident. NSBMA is dedicated to equipping every student board member with the skills and support needed to improve their school system.
Testimonials
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"One of the highlights of START was learning about how to draft policies because I hadn't thought about pursing that before."
Ava Zhang, 2023-2025 Mercer Island School District Student Board Member
Interested in sponsoring the START Conference?
Find more information here.