Symposium 2010: Seminars

The Future of the Business Office: A Think-Tank Discussion for Experienced Business Officers*

Jim Honan, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Sarah Daignault, Executive Director, NBOA

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

Is our industry facing a business officer shortage in the near future? As the economic meltdown puts even more pressure on the business officer, requiring the development of new skills and a more visible leadership role, is the industry prepared for large-scale retirements? As the Baby Boomer generation retires, who will step up to take the reins? What will our profession look like in 10 years? Join Jim Honan and Sarah Daignault for an advanced think-tank session on the future of the business office. Jim and Sarah, who bring a wealth of knowledge of the financial management of nonprofit organizations to the table, will work with this special group of long-time business officers to strategize the industry's proactive approach to looming demographic changes and increased demands on business officers.

In the morning, using survey data and focusing on current challenges (both personal and professional), the group will explore how the business officer role, and the people in it, got to where it is today. After a complimentary lunch, the group will shift its focus to the future, and discuss where the business officer profession is now and what comes next. From these deliberations, the group will identify concrete steps that might be taken to prepare the industry for the future, and suggest what roles might best be played by NBOA, local associations, and individual business officers.

After the conclusion of the seminar, NBOA will prepare a white paper on the direction of the profession and how newer business officers can prepare to lead their schools and the industry at large.

*If you are a member of NBOA who has been a business officer for at least 10 years, please join us for this high-level think tank discussion on our profession's future.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about how the profession of business officer has changed and what the future might hold.

Program Level: Advanced
Estimated CPE Hours: 6.0
Field of Study: Personal Development

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: Ten or more years of professional experience
Advanced Preparation: None

Adding to the Bottom Line: Maximizing Summer and After-School Revenue

Michele Sparrow, CPA, Business Officer, The Hill Center

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

A well-run summer and after-school program can add dollars to the bottom line while serving as a marketing tool and improving relations with the broader community. As schools face enrollment challenges and strained budgets, generating additional revenue has become even more important. This seminar offer lessons learned at The Hill Center, which began as an auxiliary program at Durham Academy and grew into a separate nonprofit corporation. Using a case study, participants will learn how additional revenue can be generated through after-school and summer programs. Topics to be covered include how to develop programming that fits your school's culture and mission; calculating costs and setting prices; marketing; and the risks and benefits of offering such programs.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about running an after-school and summer program to generate revenue for the school.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Making a Difference: Green Campus Solutions

Gary Giberson, Founder and President, Sustainable Fare, and Samuel Kosoff, Director of Sustainability, The Lawrenceville School

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

Through their Green Campus Initiative, The Lawrenceville School has made environmental sustainability a cornerstone of campus life. In this seminar, two of Lawrenceville's sustainability advocates will share their experiences in implementing sustainability initiatives at an independent school. They will discuss successfully implemented projects, review economic and ecological costs, and explore raising awareness within the school and in the surrounding community. Topics to be covered include procurement of goods and services; recycling and waste; food service; land and water use; and construction and maintenance.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about environmental sustainability and ways to address sustainability at their schools.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Merit-Based Pay: Is It Right for Your School?

Terry Moore, Director of Consultants, Independent School Management

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

When it comes to faculty compensation, most independent schools use a salary scale based on years of experience, whether it's a fixed, published scale or a private scale with individual salaries set by the Head of School. However, merit-based pay models continue to attract attention, particularly in this time of constrained resources and Boards of Trustees seeking higher levels of accountability. This seminar will compare merit-based pay to common compensation models, examine the dos and don'ts of merit-based pay, and help you determine if merit-based pay is right for your school.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about merit-based pay and how to determine if it would work for their schools.

Program Level: Intermediate
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Personnel/HR

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: 6 or more months experience as a business officer
Advanced Preparation: None

The Never-Ending Story: Continued Flux in the Capital Markets

Dirk ten Grotenhuis, Director, Stone & Youngberg

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

Will 2009 mark the beginning of the end of the financial crisis? Or will it be just another year in the worst economic event since the Great Depression? Drawing on lessons recently learned and using case studies, this seminar will provide an overview of credit markets; review how the economy affects participants in the capital market (both debt and equity); examine regional differences in market perception; and offer a short-to-medium term economic outlook. This balance sheet-driven seminar will focus on capital structure and all that affects it, and is intended for business officers who plan to borrow or invest, or who must manage existing debt. This seminar is open to everyone with an interest in the capital markets, and will feature group discussion among participants.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about current conditions in the capital markets.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Finance

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Surviving (and Thriving in) the Early Years (Part 1): Leadership, Culture, and Relationships

NBOA Staff

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

No matter how lengthy and varied their prior professional experience, few new business officers are prepared for the complexity and variety of the roles they must play at an independent school. Add a culture that is unlike that of any corporation, and succeeding in this profession can seem daunting. This seminar will address the many roles of the business officer in the school community, explore the important relationships business officers must develop and nurture, review the differences between leadership and management, and offer strategies for understanding and embracing a school's culture. This seminar is designed for business officers in the first three years of their careers.

Participants may sign up for one or both sessions of this two-part seminar.

Learning Objective: Participants will explore the complexities and nuances of the independent school business office and learn the importance of culture and building relationships.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Personal Development

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Trust but Verify: Reviewing Financial Aid Documentation

Tamara Bongi, Tax and Advisory Partner, Hood & Strong LLP

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

As part of the financial aid process, most schools require applicants to provide supplementary information such as W2s and tax returns. A careful and thorough review of tax returns can provide a better picture of a family's need than relying on the application alone. However, analyzing and understanding tax returns, particularly business returns, is no easy task. This seminar will review the various tax forms commonly submitted as part of the financial aid process and discuss areas of particular interest, such as investments, depreciation, retirement contributions, and charitable giving. Participants will be encouraged to submit particularly challenging cases from their schools (anonymously) for review and discussion.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to analyze tax forms to assist in determining a family's need for financial aid.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Understanding the Consequences: Financial Modeling and Strategic Decision-Making

Chuck Procknow, Executive Vice President, George K. Baum & Company

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

In today's economy, it is essential that schools understand the long-term financial impact of decisions big and small. It's also increasingly important to understand how external parties view the school's financial position. This seminar will introduce participants to a financial model that addresses both of these needs, since it was originally designed by an investment banking firm to assess the borrowing capacity of schools. The financial model allows schools to explore multiple scenarios and calculate the impact of numerous drivers on the bottom line, and can be used by the Head, Business Officer, and Board to make strategic decisions. Using laptops and their school's data, participants will create their own long-range financial model.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how use a customized financial model for planning and making strategic decisions.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 2.0
Field of Study: Finance

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: Participants should bring a laptop and a completed "Strategic Drivers Form," which will be provided prior to the seminar.

Assess, Innovate, Save: Creating High Performance Schools

David Besel, Senior Engineer-Facilities Planner, Charles Eley, Vice President, and Donald Frey, Senior Vice President, Architectural Energy Corporation

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

For educational, financial, and environmental reasons, there is a national movement to renovate existing schools and build new schools to enhance the comfort, health, and performance of the building occupants. This seminar will explore various aspects of improving school facilities, including using facility condition assessments to prioritize repairs and improvements; the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, which seeks to improve student performance and the entire educational experience by building the best possible schools; and identifying near-term energy-saving actions schools can take to reduce energy usage and save money.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about ways to improve school facilities.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

The Best Laid Plans: Managing Change through Financial Modeling

Fred Colson, Chief Financial Officer, Emma Willard School

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

When facing change such as that created by today's uncertain economy, schools must envision bold moves while assessing the financial implications and risks of a wide range of variables. The budgetary consequences of major strategic and tactical decisions should be discussed and evaluated carefully by senior administrators and board members. This seminar will demonstrate how financial modeling can serve as a strategic thinking tool for immediate feedback, interactive exploration of alternatives, and visualization of scenarios; will place financial modeling within a comprehensive strategic financial planning process; and will demonstrate the evolution of one financial model.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to use financial modeling to assist in strategic decision-making and managing change.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Crunching the Numbers: Financial Modeling with the NAIS Financial Calculator

Palmer Ball, Business Manager, Spartanburg Day School

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

As the issue of financial sustainability for independent schools gains in urgency, it is ever more important for schools to make long-range financial planning part of their annual budget discussions. Boards can use a multi-year financial plan to place annual budget decisions about tuition, salaries, enrollment, financial aid, and other budget drivers in a long-range context. With StatsOnline and the NAIS Financial Calculator as a basis, this hands-on seminar will focus on developing a multi-year financial model to provide the information needed to make strategic decisions. Using laptops and their school's data, participants will create a five-year financial model.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to use a financial model to forecast the long-range impact of annual budget decisions.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: Participants should bring a laptop and pertinent financial data from their schools, which will be requested prior to the seminar.

Herding Cats: Effective Management in Independent Schools

Wendy Barnhart, Director of Business and Finance, The Westminster Schools, Suzanne Bogdan, Partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP, and Bill Rollings, President, School Office Services

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

Independent schools tend to have "flat" hierarchies, with decision-making power spread throughout the organization. In this challenging environment, how can business officers sharpen their management skills? This seminar will use presentations, case studies, small group breakout sessions, and role-playing to address various aspects of effective management in independent schools. Topics to be covered include the six management styles used by most managers; how to navigate the various legal issues inherent in the employment relationship; effective methods of counseling and coaching employees; and turning an average employee into a high performer. The presenters will create a "ning" to post presentation materials and give participants a voice in identifying additional topics.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn effective management techniques.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Personal Development

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Surviving (and Thriving in) the Early Years (Part 2): Accounting, Facilities, Enrollment, and Financial Aid

NBOA Staff

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

No matter how lengthy and varied their prior professional experience, few new business officers are prepared for the complexity and variety of the roles they must play at an independent school. This seminar will explore some of the most important aspects of the job, including understanding the nuances of independent school accounting; managing the facilities, including custodial and maintenance management, funding of maintenance, and oversight of renovations and construction projects; the importance of the enrollment contract; collections; and the basics of financial aid.

Participants may sign up for one or both sessions of this two-part seminar.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about some of the most important aspects of the business office, including accounting, facilities, enrollment, and financial aid.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Teacher, Coach, Volunteer: Wage and Hour Issues in Independent Schools

Brian Walter, Partner, and Donna Williamson, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

It's 5 p.m. Do you know how many hours your employees have worked today? Many independent schools struggle to properly classify and pay employees. This seminar will provide a review of wage and hour laws affecting independent schools and identify best practices to ensure effective compliance with those laws. Topics include how to properly classify employees as exempt or non-exempt; the ability of non-exempt employees to volunteer at the school; how to calculate overtime when employees are paid more than one hourly rate; how to determine pay for supervising student overnight trips or travel to conferences; coaching stipends; and legal requirements and best practices for timekeeping.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about requirements for classifying and paying employees.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Business Law

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

What Do You Mean We're Not Covered? Understanding Gaps and Risks

Darrow Milgrim, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, and Gary Vehlies, The Hartford

[THIS SEMINAR IS FULL]

While schools rely on insurance and planning to mitigate and avoid risk, often it takes a claim or near miss to learn about gaps in insurance coverage or holes in the business continuity plan. This seminar will cover subjects that could have enormous impact on budgets, risk management, and operating procedures and use lessons learned from losses at independent schools. Topics to be covered include understanding when business income coverage is triggered; what the new margin clause endorsement will mean to property valuation; how to address gaps in insurance; and how to create a business continuity plan to allow the school to operate in the event of disaster.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about the common gaps found in insurance coverage and business continuity plans, and how to close those gaps at their schools.

Program Level: Basic
Estimated CPE Hours: 3.0
Field of Study: Management Advisory Services

Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None