School Business Insider: Reflect and Lead – Ron Clamser’s Journey with ASBO New York
Episode Release Date: July 22, 2025
Hosts:
- John Brucato – Host of School Business Insider
- Dr. Ron Clamser – Assistant Superintendent for Business at PNW BOCES, New York, and President of ASBO New York
1. Introduction
In this engaging episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato welcomes back a familiar and esteemed guest, Dr. Ron Clamser, who currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Business at PNW BOCES in Westchester County, New York. As the newly elected President of ASBO New York, Ron shares his extensive journey, insights, and the evolution of his leadership within the association.
2. Ron Clamser's Journey with ASBO New York
Ron’s affiliation with ASBO International began approximately 18 years ago, inspired by an interim superintendent who encouraged him to join the association. This initial involvement led him to mentorship under seasoned business officials like Mike Shepard and Brian Sirianni, which solidified his commitment to the organization.
Ron Clamser [01:29]: “I got started really getting involved in the association somewhere like 18 years ago... it was my first experience with other school business officials that were in the association.”
His active participation in the Government Relations Committee allowed him to advocate for legislative agendas crucial to school business officials, particularly representing the unique needs of rural districts in the North Country of New York.
Ron Clamser [02:40]: “The Government Relations Committee... setting legislative agendas that... affect multiple, diverse groups of school districts.”
3. Volunteer Service and Leadership
Volunteerism is at the heart of Ron’s personal and professional life. His dedication to serving others fuels his enthusiasm for board service and advocacy work.
Ron Clamser [04:07]: “Volunteerism is really at the core of who I am as a person... I really enjoy that kind of work.”
As Ron ascended to leadership roles within ASBO New York, his responsibilities grew from committee participation to overseeing broader strategic initiatives.
4. Transition to Leadership: President Elect to President
Upon becoming President Elect, and subsequently President, Ron experienced a significant increase in commitment and responsibility. This transition involved additional committee memberships, more frequent meetings, and a deeper involvement in organizational decision-making.
Ron Clamser [06:07]: “There's a definite change in time commitment... your commitment level really almost doubles.”
In his current role, Ron emphasizes a hands-on leadership style, actively participating in staff retreats, leadership academies, and chapter visits to maintain a strong connection with members.
Ron Clamser [07:48]: “That's part of what I do... I want to visit chapters because that's just part of my personality or my leadership technique.”
5. Strategic Planning and Reflection
At the recent annual retreat, Ron and the board focused on revamping the association’s strategic plan, transitioning from a management-centric approach to a governance-focused one. The new plan emphasizes reflection on past achievements and refines the organization’s direction moving forward.
Ron Clamser [09:18]: “We don't need to redo the entire strategic plan. We just need to reflect on what we have and narrow that scope and maybe build on it.”
This strategic refinement resulted in consolidating five previous goals into three, ensuring a more purposeful and sustainable focus aligned with the association’s current needs.
Ron Clamser [13:10]: “We've blended two goals together into one or we've parked some of the parts...”
6. Messaging and Communication
A key takeaway from the strategic planning process is the importance of effectively communicating the new strategic goals to the membership. Ron highlights the necessity of balancing transparency with simplicity to ensure members understand and support the association’s direction.
Ron Clamser [23:07]: “We have to balance how it's done... we're serving the membership, but we're not necessarily pounding this new strategic plan down their throat.”
7. Balancing Work and Volunteer Service
Managing a full-time role alongside extensive volunteer commitments poses its challenges. Ron discusses how his position at PNW BOCES, which involves regional responsibilities, complements his board duties and alleviates some of the stress associated with district-level roles.
Ron Clamser [29:02]: “It is a challenge... But I feel like it's less of a challenge because the work of a BOCES business official in New York is much more of a regional kind of aspect.”
8. Encouraging New Members to Lead
Ron is passionate about fostering new leadership within the association. He advocates for clear pathways to board service, emphasizing the importance of understanding the commitments involved before taking on a role.
Ron Clamser [30:58]: “It gets started by getting involved two ways... or being in a pathway.”
He also praises the increasing interest from new members, noting that fresh perspectives are vital for the association’s growth and adaptability.
Ron Clamser [32:44]: “There has been more interest... What can I bring? What kind of skill sets can I bring to the association as a whole.”
9. Future Opportunities and Goals
Looking ahead, Ron is excited about the strategic focus on membership services and advocacy. He sees opportunities in strengthening the association’s presence across local chapters and enhancing resource availability for members.
Ron Clamser [14:24]: “Refocus our work on membership... providing the resources that guide and support our members.”
Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of ASBO New York’s role within the international community, aiming to elevate the state’s presence and influence on a broader scale.
Ron Clamser [35:19]: “It's important because... New York needs to have a presence in the ASBO International scene.”
10. Conclusion
As Ron Clamser steps into his role as President of ASBO New York, his extensive experience and dedication to volunteer service pave the way for a strategic and member-focused future. His journey underscores the value of reflection, continuous improvement, and active leadership in shaping successful educational business associations.
Ron Clamser [36:41]: “I'm really excited about that transition, too.”
John Brucato extends his congratulations to Ron and expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming initiatives, highlighting the strong professional and personal rapport between the two leaders.
Notable Quotes:
- Ron Clamser [02:40]: “Setting legislative agendas that... affect multiple, diverse groups of school districts.”
- Ron Clamser [04:07]: “Volunteerism is really at the core of who I am as a person...”
- Ron Clamser [09:18]: “We just need to reflect on what we have and narrow that scope and maybe build on it.”
- Ron Clamser [23:07]: “We have to balance how it's done...”
- Ron Clamser [35:19]: “New York needs to have a presence in the ASBO International scene.”
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the conversation between John Brucato and Ron Clamser, providing valuable takeaways for listeners and members of ASBO New York.