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September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019
4 Workshop with Paul Gorski, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
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Greetings from ISANNE!
This fall I have been missing feeling students' energy, their anticipation of new learning and growth as the year lifts off. Lucky for me, I was able to find similar energy and community at the recent Independent School Association Network conference in Ontario, Canada. The gathering of over forty executive directors was a wonderful chance to connect with association leaders and learn more about best practices for independent school associations. One focus of our conference was identifying key characteristics of strong associations. In the workshop,
The DNA of High Performing Associations
, our presenter from McKinley Advisors highlighted a quality that we know well at ISANNE-- the importance of relationships. Indeed, he repeatedly emphasized how much people still want (and need) to associate with one another. One slide declared: "The clearest message that we get from this 75 year study is this: good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period. Social connections are really good for us...and loneliness kills."--Robert Waldinger.
While McKinley's findings may not feel like a big surprise, it is important to note how hard it is these days to sustain relationships and center them as a priority in our personal and professional lives. The daily demands on independent school leaders seem to be growing exponentially, and ensuring a return on investment of time drives much of our decision-making. For our membership, time spent together in community is time well-spent. Our recent ISANNE Futures Survey findings underscored the importance of relationship, as the chance to network and connect with colleagues in Northern New England was cited by over 80% of respondents as THE primary value of our association.
As we continue to plot ISANNE's course forward, I hope to use the synergy of our own survey data with McKinley's findings to advocate for why and how we should continue to deepen our connections with one another. More specifically, there are three arenas in which we can enhance and build-on the strength of our ISANNE relationships: 1) Increasing use of technology to allow members to engage each other in professional development from the comfort of their own schools; 2) Creating more hyper-local, accessible events for our diverse community to come together in conversation; and 3) Continuing to collect and respond to the valuable feedback you give us about your needs.
Like my former students, I feel a sense of anticipation and excitement for the year ahead. We have many wonderful events in our fall line-up, and I am eager to see our community coming together in the coming months.
Eliza
Eliza Alexander
Interim Executive Director,
ISANNE
Together in Our Independence
ISANNE unites, supports and promotes its diverse member schools in a changing world.
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