SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ORIENTATION
The Board, to the best of its ability, shall assist each new member to understand the Board's functions, policies, and procedures before and as the member takes office.

Each newly elected member shall be encouraged to attend Board meetings in the interim between the election and the inception of the term, and shall be provided with materials pertinent to Board operations, including a copy of the Board policy manual.

The President of the Board and the Superintendent shall meet with each new member within a period of six weeks after they assume office for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information.

The program for board member in-service consists of two parts: (1) a primary plan, designed for the dual purpose of introducing new members to district operations and familiarity with board responsibilities; and (2) an advanced plan, intended to enhance the capabilities of those members who have completed at least one four-year term on the Board.

The primary plan shall be organized as follows:

Year One

1. An orientation of district facilities;
2. An introduction to parliamentary procedure and the conduct of meetings;
3. An introduction to the operation of the Board; policy and procedure statements; bylaws, position descriptions, "chain of command," organizational charts, legal services, auditing services, and services retained on a consultant basis;
4. An introduction to The School Code as it applies to the district.
5. An introduction to school finance, local programs of community relations, staff and staff development, and curricular and cocurricular programs;
6. Attendance at the regional MASB orientation program for new board members;
7. Attendance at local, county school boards association meetings, MASB's regional meetings, and MASB special workshops and seminars; and
8. Attendance at the MASB mid-winter and/or fall conference.

Year Two

1. Familiarity with management concepts and methods; personnel management and evaluation and program management and evaluation;
2. Introduction to news media relations;
3. Familiarity with community power structures and special interest groups;
4. Introduction to basic concepts in education;
5. An introduction to the functions of the state legislature, the Michigan Department of Education, and the state courts;
6. Attendance at local, county boards association meetings, and MASB's regional meetings;
7. Enrollment in MASB's voluntary board member certification program;
8. Attendance at one regional MASB drive-in workshop; and
9. Attendance at the MASB mid-winter and/or fall conference.

Year Three

1. Familiarity with policy problems and governmental relations; local intergovernmental relations efforts, energy use and conservation, civil rights, handicapper rights, federal Title programs, and the expanding federal involvement in local education;
2. Familiarity with the federal courts and "landmark" decisions;
3. Attendance at local, county board association meetings, MASB regional meetings, and MASB specialized workshops and seminars;
4. Continuation with MASB's voluntary board member certification program;
5. Attendance at one or more regional MASB special topic workshops or seminars; and
6. Attendance at MASB's fall conference and mid-winter conference.

Year Four

1. Attendance at one or more regional MASB special workshops or seminars;
2. Attendance at MASB's fall conference and mid-winter conference;
3. Continuation with MASB's voluntary board member certification program; and
4. Attendance at the National School Boards Association annual conference.

Advanced Plan
The advanced plan of in-service is designed to build upon those understandings achieved by board members during their initial four years of service. It should enhance the capabilities of members in assuming leadership roles on the Board and in becoming involved in area and state-wide positions of responsibility. Activities can include:

1. Assistance in the presentation of the primary in-service program for new board members;
2. Involvement in lobbying activities at the state level;
3. Assumption of leadership roles in the county school boards association;
4. Acceptance of an appointment to a MASB state-wide committee;
5. Attendance at the local county school boards association meetings each year;
6. Attendance at the MASB fall conference and/or mid-winter conference;
7. Recertification activities regarding MASB's voluntary board member certification program;
8. Attendance at one national conference per school year.