Three Board Positions Available

If you are interested in being considered for a board position beginning January 2025, please fill out the form above before Friday, October, 17, 2024.

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Our Mission

To provide access to meaningful opportunities for each and every student.

 

Our Vision

An inspired and thriving community of learners.

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Our Values

• Honoring Community

Our expectation of quality and love of neighbors is recognized in all that we do.

 

• Fostering Connections

We nurture relationships and cultivate partnerships for yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 

• Supporting Innovation and Leaders

We fuel ideas and creativity in the classroom and beyond.

 

• Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

All are welcome and have equitable access to opportunity.

 

• Giving Generously

Our hearts are big and our passion is education.

 

• Being Responsive

We listen and learn to align our giving.

 

Who we are

 The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is  a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting the Upper Arlington school district in its mission to challenge and support every student, every step of the way. UA+Ed is proud to make a meaningful impact on each and every one of the 6,500+ students in the district.

UA+Ed is governed by a dedicated board of trustees who are passionate about the foundation’s mission. They generously give their time and talents to guide the foundation’s future and serve as positive ambassadors for both the foundation and the school district. 

Our trustees are selected through a process that ensures diverse representation from each of the nine UA schools, various areas of expertise, and different backgrounds. As trustees complete their four-year terms, we use a matrix to identify and fill gaps, bringing in three or four new members each year. 

 

What we do

UA+Ed connects the Upper Arlington School District with generous community members, alumni, families, and organizations. In 2023, UA+Ed provided $190,001 in grants, scholarships, and awards. These grants, requested by students, educators, and administrators, support innovative learning opportunities and ensure all students can participate in school programs.

UA+Ed is home to the Upper Arlington Alumni Association (UAAA). Each year, graduating seniors join generations of Golden Bears alumni united by life-time friendships and pride in our excellent schools. UAAA helps graduates stay connected and engaged and develops a spirit of giving back to support current and future generations of Golden Bears.

 

About being a trustee

Terms

Trustees may serve one term of 4 years.

 

As per current Bylaws - Section 3.03 - Term

1. Trustees will hold office for a term of four (4) years, with the intention of such terms being staggered as equally as possible.

2. It shall be the intention to elect a minimum of one member of the Upper Arlington Alumni Association each year to serve on the Board of Trustees.

3. No Trustee, other than the Ex Officio Trustee appointed by the Board of Education, shall serve more than one (1) term unless that individual is an officer or committee chairperson and/or special circumstances dictate a need/reason to stay.

4. A former Trustee may be reelected as a Trustee after a one-year or more absence from the Board of Trustees.

5. The term of office shall commence on January 1st of the following year.

 

Meetings, Responsibilities and Time Commitments 

 

Full Board Meetings are currently held no less than quarterly at 8:15 am, the fourth Thursday of the month (unless affected by holidays such as Thanksgiving and Winter and Spring breaks, in which case, the meetings may be held a week in advance) and will be posted well in advance.  

• Agendas and any pertinent information will be sent by Friday before the meeting. 

• Trustees are expected to read this information and come to meetings.

 

While it is the hope that UA+Ed trustees will take their commitment to heart and recognize the importance of meeting in person to execute the business of the Foundation, situations do arise that present an important conflict. *If a trustee is unable to attend a meeting in person, they should:

 

• Participate in meetings via Zoom or other forms of telecommunications.

• Review the agenda with a staff member or Board Chair prior to or after such a meeting. 

 

Standing Committees

Trustees are expected to serve on at least one (1) Standing Committee.  

• Committees typically meet monthly or quarterly, but this may change based on needs.  

• Trustees are expected to participate in committee meetings as well as actively serve the needs of the committee.

• The board chair will ask individual trustees to serve on committees as he/she feels will best serve the board. 

 

Major Fund-Raising Events 

Trustees are expected to actively commit their time and talents in the planning and implementation of major fundraising events. 

• To be a sponsor of the Golden Bear Bash ($300 or more).  

• Help identify and invite potential sponsors, volunteers, and attendees.

• Participate in volunteer opportunities involved with the event.

 

Trustees are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in

• Grants in Action - visiting schools to see projects we've funded.

• The Annual Meeting -typically held at the end of January on a Friday evening. 

• Special events such as the State of the Schools, etc.

• Strategic Planning retreats typically held on a Saturday morning during the first quarter of the year.

• Board-development activities.

• UA+Ed sponsored events such as the Golden Bear Bash (Sunday of Labor Day weekend) including setting up before the event and volunteering during the event.

 

Additional Expectations

Trustees are expected to

• Read and become familiar with the By Laws, Standing Policies, and current Strategic Plan.

• Provide oversight in organizational and financial management.

• Be a positive ambassador of the foundation and school district.

• Cultivate relationships within the UA community and school system.

• Maintain confidentiality of matters discussed in meetings and speak on board matters only when authorized to do so.

• Ask questions and share opinions openly and respectfully before and in meetings while working in the best interest of UA+Ed.

• Assume leadership roles in board activities consistent with individual skills and interests.

 

 

Fiduciary and Financial Expectations

Trustees are expected to

• Financially support UA+Ed in a manner commensurate with one’s ability.

• Be familiar with UA+Ed’s finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.

• Participate in the adoption and oversight of the annual budget.

• Participate in development by nurturing relationships and sharing information about UA+Ed.

• Exhibit the highest standard of ethical behavior as stewards of foundation funds.

Rights of Trustees

 

Trustees will have access to 

• Financial records and budgets.

• All Meeting Minutes including full-board and committee meetings.

• Governance material including By Laws, Standing Policies, and Strategic Plan.

• Open and available communication with the Executive Director and UA+Ed Chair.

 

Trustees will receive 

• Written notice of meetings including time and place will be sent at least two (2) days before each meeting (per By Laws).

• Agenda and pertinent background materials of agenda items in advance of the meeting.

 

Voting Rights 

• Full trustees have a right to one equal vote on each action item. 

• Voting may take place at a meeting or electronically (per By Laws).

 

 

Our Commitment to

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

The Upper Arlington Education Foundation and Alumni Association are aligned with and support the goals and plans of the Upper Arlington City School District. We provide meaningful opportunities for each and every student, and are proud to provide resources for programs and projects focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

 

We value the unique experiences and backgrounds of our community of donors, fund advisors, staff, board members, alumni, volunteers, and school district employees as we work together to further our mission. 

 

The Upper Arlington Education Foundation takes seriously the importance of students feeling a sense of belonging, safety, and inspiration to reach their full potential.

 

The Upper Arlington Education Foundation and Alumni Association will continue to:

• Assess our own processes and policies, including grantmaking, to ensure equity among students;

• Intentionally recruit and develop a diverse board of trustees that reflects our values and beliefs. Members of the board will draw on their diverse backgrounds, skills, talents and perspectives to strengthen our ability to serve our mission;

• Provide continued board and staff development opportunities in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion that will allow us to continue to support the strategic vision of the School District;

• Promote the tradition, pride and reputation of excellence of our school district while recognizing the historic lack of racial diversity among our alumni. 

• Ensure the Upper Arlington Alumni Association reflects inclusive practices where every alumni is encouraged to stay connected and engaged and affiliate groups are used to unite Golden Bears with shared interests and experiences.

• Partner with our community to ensure needed resources are available to those who are working passionately on behalf of each and every student in Upper Arlington. 

 

Current goals for incoming board leadership

First and foremost, UA+Ed is looking for three new trustees with expertise and experience to help advance our three current strategic priorities: 

1. Infrastructure - Embracing our forward momentum, the board of trustees is investing in the development and expansion of UA+Ed’s staff. 

2. Impact - The district has begun a strategic planning process aimed at adopting a new plan in 2025. It proposes three priorities: engaged learning, well-being and belonging, and connection and communication. UA+Ed will further these priorities significantly by providing resources beyond the district's budget. At the same time, UA+Ed will stay focused on building assets for long-term sustainability.

3. Engagement - UA+Ed will foster collaboration among students, educators, alumni, community members, and businesses. We will share stories that highlight the impact our stakeholders are making. Additionally, we will keep our alumni connected and engaged with future generations of Golden Bears.

 

In addition, in order to maintain a strong, diverse board of trustees, priorities may include a connection to each school in the district, at least one alumni, ethnic and gender diversity.

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