“The Patriot” will break down the Board of Trustees’ history, role, importance, and goals over the coming weeks.
President Richard O’Hara said, “There is always a need in schools to demystify the Board and their role and purposes. The Board at John Carroll functions very well. They are thoughtful of what their role is compared to the role of the administration.”
However, much of the work of the Board is unknown to students as part of a more general policy. “If you’re having big Board problems and it’s in the news, that’s really not good. Whether it’s a business institution or a school, if we’re doing our job, it will be under the radar,” said Rachael Rice, class of ’88.
In addition to committee members, there are a variety of special roles that serve to benefit the Board.
Chairwoman Sister Mary Helen Beirne joined the Board in 2002 and took a leadership role on the 2004 strategic plan committee, which helped pave her way to chairing the right sizing committee, the Catholic identity turned Catholic mission committee, and then serving as vice chair of the Board.
To find a chairperson, “It’s normally a move up [role from vice chair]. The trustees look to see who’s already shown leadership and can devote the time and the gifts to it. They look for someone involved in a variety of things,” said Sr. Beirne. However, Board members can only serve for nine years (three three year terms), and Sr. Beirne’s final term will end in June 2011.
About her role, Sr. Beirne said, “If I believe in the mission, people tell me I have the gifts to make things happen. Contributing to make a difference in our world is something I believe God is telling all of us to do. By supporting all of you, the young men and young women, I help shape the world.”
In addition, the chair “attends all of the important school functions: Open House, the main liturgies, graduation,” said former chairman, now trustee emeritus, Gus Brown.
The goals of the chairman change, according to Brown. “From the beginning of my chairmanship, [a major goal was] to do long-range strategic planning and to coordinate our efforts in a thoughtful way to avoid having John Carroll look like a patch quilt in its program and its appearance.”
Vice Chair John Karas said about his position, “I serve in a variety of capacities. I am involved in certain issues that come up that don’t fit a particular area. They may be in the area of working for the proposed capital campaign for the master facilities. I assist the chair in keeping the progress of the board going.”
Some that are no longer on the Board take the title of trustee emeritus. According to Brown, who shares the title along with his father, Florio N. Franetovich, William E. McGuirk, Jr, Donald M. Thomey, and Rev. Charles K. Riepe (all deceased), the position was created through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in 2008.
Former Chairman Tom Kelso also remains active on the Board, specifically in the capital campaign, according to Brown.
Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at [email protected].