Podcast Summary: School Business Insider Episode: A Year in Review: Jim Rowan on Leading ASBO International in 2024 Host: John Brucato Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction and Overview of the Year

In this reflective episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato welcomes back Jim Rowan, the Executive Director of ASBO International. Jim, who was featured in the podcast's inaugural episode, discusses his experiences and achievements over his first year leading the organization in 2024. The conversation delves into the highlights, challenges, lessons learned, and future aspirations for ASBO International under Jim's leadership.

Accomplishments and Milestones

Jim Rowan highlights several key accomplishments that marked ASBO International's progress in 2024:

• Strategic Focus Areas: Jim and his team concentrated their efforts on five primary areas: governance, operations and finance, member engagement, education and advocacy, and affiliate services. This strategic alignment ensured a comprehensive approach to advancing ASBO's mission.

• Membership and Affiliate Outreach: Emphasizing increased two-way communication, ASBO International provided monthly reports to affiliate executive directors and maintained weekly staff meetings to align the team with the organization's vision. Jim proudly states, “We accomplished the majority of everything I set out to do in the first year” ([02:49]).

• Strategic Plan and Vision 35: Finalizing the 2025-2027 strategic plan and the Vision 35 task force were significant milestones. These initiatives outlined 15 objectives focused on membership engagement, affiliate relationships, U.S. federal policy and advocacy, and member education ([05:20]).

• Cultural Transformation: A 360-degree evaluation revealed positive feedback regarding the culture of trust, transparency, accountability, and inclusion. Jim emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work and membership culture, stating, “creating this culture of trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion… is really my primary focus” ([07:15]).

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Jim acknowledges several challenges encountered during his tenure:

• Communication and Trust: Despite his long-standing association with ASBO, Jim found that establishing trust and improving communication were more arduous than anticipated. He notes, “I was kind of surprised at the amount of feedback I received on the lack of communications and transparency” ([13:56]).

• Operational Inefficiencies: Managing operational inefficiencies, particularly within the archaic financial systems, posed significant hurdles. To address this, Jim hired an additional accounting manager to streamline financial processes and enhance accountability ([18:16]).

• Remote Operations: Transitioning to a remote work environment required building robust internal communication processes. Jim implemented tools like Microsoft Teams and Trello to ensure continuous collaboration and accountability, which he reports as successful adaptations ([20:05]).

Feedback from Members and Affiliates

Feedback from ASBO International's affiliates and members has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Enhanced Transparency: Affiliates appreciate the increased transparency and communication. Jim mentions, “the response from the affiliate executive directors has been very positive because we've worked to create that partnership working together” ([07:46]).

• Supportive Services: Initiatives such as updating affiliate agreements, providing sample bylaws, and launching a new Learning Management System (LMS) for affiliates without one have been well received.

• Vision 35 Task Force: Members involved in the Vision 35 task force have responded positively to efforts aimed at shaping the future trajectory of ASBO International ([07:46]).

International Component

Expanding ASBO International's international presence remains a work in progress:

• Current Engagements: ASBO partnered with ISBL at the ISBL conference in Birmingham, England, focusing on operational excellence in school districts. However, broader international strategies are yet to be fully developed.

• Future Plans: The Vision 35 task force is considering the inclusion of international representation on the board and evaluating governance pathways to better serve international members. Jim anticipates a governance report in late 2025 that may include regional or demographic-based structures ([11:25]).

Communication and Transparency Efforts

Jim outlines a structured approach to enhancing communication and transparency within ASBO International:

• Listening Phase: The initial quarter focused on listening to members' needs without proposing immediate solutions, aiming to understand core issues ([15:31]).

• Continuous Outreach: Regular written reports to affiliate executive directors and past presidents, coupled with in-person and virtual meetings, ensured consistent communication.

• Proactive Anticipation: Over time, Jim and his team have learned to anticipate members' needs, reducing the volume of reactive communication by addressing concerns before they escalate ([15:54]).

Future Plans for 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, Jim outlines several top priorities:

1. Membership Engagement: Enhancing the value proposition for members by offering education bundles, expanding the global school business network, and promoting collaborative opportunities.

2. Committee Expansion: Creating opportunities for affiliates and members to participate in legislative committees and other strategic areas.

3. Payroll Certificate Program: Launching a program to address the challenging area of payroll management, offering training tailored to U.S. federal requirements.

4. Internal Efficiencies: Continuing process mapping to improve operational accountability and efficiency, thereby freeing up resources to better serve members.

5. US Federal Policy: Implementing more robust roundtable discussions and offering continuous updates on federal policies affecting school business officials.

Jim asserts, “We are looking to take advantage of some of what I learned through the OPEX exercise and some of my previous experience about mapping process to create greater efficiency and accountability” ([18:16]).

Leadership and Personal Reflections

Jim shares his personal growth and leadership evolution over his first year:

• Professional Development: Participating in a 12-week professional development course, Jim enhanced his leadership skills by learning from figures like Colin Powell, focusing on leadership lessons that emphasize listening, valuing, and effective communication.

• Team Culture: By fostering a culture where staff feel valued and empowered to provide feedback, Jim has cultivated a resilient and engaged team. He notes, “I've made it very clear that we are a team of one” and encourages open communication and celebration of small wins ([22:27]).

• Personal Fulfillment: Serving as Executive Director has been a long-held dream for Jim, and he expresses profound satisfaction, “there's not a place in the world that I would rather be than at ASBO International” ([36:33]).

Long-Term Vision and Conclusion

Jim articulates a long-term vision for ASBO International that extends beyond 2025:

• Expanded Membership Value: Continuously grow district membership by offering relevant education, training, and networking opportunities.

• AI Integration: Explore the implementation of artificial intelligence to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency, while navigating current limitations in AI technology.

• Pipeline Development: Address pipeline issues by increasing outreach to colleges and universities, thereby fostering a new generation of school business officials.

• Global Engagement: Enhance international membership and representation to better serve global affiliates and members.

When summarizing his first year, Jim encapsulates it with one word: "Progress." He emphasizes that while significant strides have been made, the journey of continuous improvement is ongoing, with a steadfast commitment to executing learned lessons and advancing ASBO International’s mission ([37:36]).

Message to Members

In his closing remarks, Jim encourages members to actively engage and get involved within the association. He highlights various opportunities for participation, such as:

• Conferences and Forums: Attending the Eagle Institute of Leadership forum and the annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

• Committees and Leadership Opportunities: Joining committees, contributing to COE and MBA programs, and becoming reviewers to foster a collaborative community.

• Credential Advancement: Encouraging members to pursue additional credentials like the SFO (School Finance Officer) to enhance professional standing and contribute to the association's growth.

Jim concludes with an invitation for members to connect and participate, reinforcing the message that ASBO International is a family that values collaboration and mutual support.

Jim Rowan's first year as Executive Director of ASBO International has been characterized by strategic advancements, cultural transformations, and a clear vision for the future. His leadership has not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid a robust foundation for sustained growth and member engagement in the years to come.