Association Of Boards In Theological Education In Trust

Learning communities: the in trust center connects our member schools to experts in key areas of theological education through webinars, facilitated conversations, and podcasts. Our webinars are interactive presentations, live or recorded, using both audio and video that feature carefully selected content delivered by experts in various fields - for example, fundraising, governance, and leadership. Each in trust center webinar includes time for interactive questions and answers. Our facilitated conversation spaces offer opportunities for peer engagement around timely topics and issues within small groups. The center also engages our membership via member surveys to understand members experiences, issues, and interest in key areas. We also create and record podcasts for our member schools, which include information on numerous topics. We invite listeners into interviews and converstions with colleagues, consultants, and leaders in the field in a cost-effective way for them to connect with wisdom, issues, and trends in the field.

Resource consulting: the in trust center for theological schools is committed to walking alongside our member schools as they focus on achieving their mission. We provide individualized support through resource consulting. Resource consulting is based on a well-established learning model of institutional change: sustained and effective organizational learning comes when an institution augments its own assets and creativity with appropriate external resources. Combining internal assets with external resources like knowledge, tools, and talent empowers leaders to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities. Two initiatives that fall under this program are: 1. Resource grants - an in trust center resource grant is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $15,000 that is intended to address a particular innovative challenge or opportunity within an institution. The in trust center hopes that through a resource grant, a member school will engage an outside resource that allows them to support their work and further their school's mission. All member schools of the in trust center are eligible to apply for a resource grant; however, schools may not apply for a grant the subsequent year after receiving one. Schools must also show how they are providing matching funds.2. The wise stewards initiative focuses on building board capacity for better institutional governance. The curriculum, resources, and format of the three-year project have been designed especially for executive leadership and governing boards of theological schools by experienced educators, administrators, and consultants, all of whom have firsthand knowledge of graduate theological education. Participating schools receive practical insights, wise practices, tools, and strategies for inspiring and educating current and future board members. The program content is organized around four areas:o creating space for innovation, leading change, and maximizing potentail.o reimagining governance as a force for change.o the president/board partnership in institutional renewal.o roles and responsibilities of boards of theological schools