OSBA Leadership Institute Awards

The demands on board members have grown as new federal, state and local responsibilities are added to the agenda.

With budgets tighter and public scrutiny sharper, the stakes are higher. But so are the results accomplished by good board members. More and more, leadership is what "makes all the difference."

You deserve formal recognition for the time and talent you devote to your community's most important responsibility - public schools.

Adapting to your needs
The OSBA Leadership Institute was created to align conferences, workshops, on-site sessions and other leadership activities for board members into a recognition program.

OSBA workshops meet the needs of busy people - some courses are online while others are offered in person at workshops and conferences. OSBA also presents custom on-site sessions to meet local needs.

How certification works
Board members can receive three levels of Recognition in Leadership Achievement.

Bronze Award - 100 points + core courses
Silver Award - 200 points + Bronze level + Leadership Oregon
Gold Award - 300 points

Outstanding Board Achievement Award - A board can also be honored for its collective work (500 points for five-member boards; 700 for seven-member boards, with each board member earning at least 20 points).

Points already earned
If you've been attending OSBA or National School Board Association conferences, workshops and other activities since January 2003, you've already been accumulating points. There is no deadline and points don't expire.

Points are awarded for each workshop, seminar or training session you attend; and, for attendance at OSBA and NSBA events, OSBA committee work and election to OSBA or NSBA director or officer positions. OSBA's "core" programs are required for Bronze level certification.

The point year timeline
Although points accumulate throughout board service, points for certificates are tallied annually at the end of June. If members serve on more than one board (e.g., a district and ESD), the points earned will be counted toward certificates on both boards.

When you attend an OSBA or NSBA workshop or event, get elected to an OSBA or NSBA position or are appointed to an OSBA committee, OSBA will keep track of your points. You must self-report your own attendance at OSBA regional meetings.

Public recognition
Recognition includes:

• News releases to local communities about achievements
• Presentation of awards at local board or regional meetings by OSBA staff
• Features in Outlook & Review
• Recognition at OSBA convention
• Lapel pins and framed certificates

When certificates are given
Points accumulate throughout board service and certificates will be awarded for points earned ending June 30. Presentations will be made at board meetings and other events (see above on recognition).

Core courses - all required for first level (Bronze) certification Points Roles and Responsibilities for Boards (offered at Summer Board Conference, Online or at board-requested on-site workshops) Public Meetings and Records Law (offered at Summer Board Conference, Online or at board-requested on-site workshops) School Board Ethics (offered at Summer Board Conference, Online or at board-requested on-site workshops) Labor and Employment Conference (workshop offered each September) Other workshops & activities Points OSBA/NSBA half-day workshops OSBA/NSBA full-day workshops Workshops longer than one day OSBA Annual Convention NSBA Annual Convention OSBA Summer Board Conference OSBA Bonds & Ballots Workshop Council of School Attorneys Workshop Oregon School Law Conference Online Learning Center Courses Customized board workshops (points are awarded to each member in attendance) Attendance at spring or fall regional meeting Leadership Oregon series (offered in odd-numbered years)    While this series is not required for first-level certification, it is required for higher recognition levels. Other credit activities Points First election to OSBA Board position First election to OSBA Officer position First election to NSBA Board position First election to NSBA Officer position OSBA committee service (for non-OSBA Board members) NSBA committee service and NSBA seminars Election as a local board chair