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NBOA President and CEO
As we approach the holidays, it's impossible not to look back at the year that was and think about our aspirations for the year ahead. While 2016 gave us more than a few surprises, the NBOA staff, Board of Directors and many volunteer speakers, authors, advisory and committee members have much to be proud of in our service to independent schools, business officers and business operations staff. Among the many highlights of the past 12 months, a few immediately come to mind.
More than 1,300 U.S. school members. Membership growth is one of the best measures of whether NBOA is "getting it right" in serving members. Not only did we surpass our 2016 goals, with membership of 1,305 U.S. schools (plus schools in Canada, Mexico and 23 other countries), but I'm even more proud of our retention rate: 97 percent! In short, once schools join NBOA, they stay. I give the staff a tremendous amount of credit for helping us deliver valuable and relevant programs and services. May we never rest on our laurels and always think of new and innovative ways to meet your needs.
Largest-ever NBOA Annual Meeting. There was no raining on our parade at the 2016 NBOA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. Keynote speakers Sal Khan and Alison Levine combined with stellar NBOA award recipients, more than 50 concurrent sessions and 100 exhibitors for the largest-ever gathering of independent school business officers. The 2017 NBOA Annual Meeting is shaping up to be even bigger and better. And you can bet that we'll continue to improve going forward. Mark your calendars for our upcoming events including Nashville in 2018 and San Diego in 2019.
2016 NBOA Business Officer Institute. This week-long program always sets up dozens of new business officers for long-term success, but what made the 2016 NBOA Business Officer Institute even more special was its setting on the beautiful campus of Harpeth Hall in Nashville. More than 75 business officers enjoyed one of the most memorable programs to date. Thanks to an amazing faculty and outstanding host school for going the extra mile, especially Head of School Stephanie Balmer, Director of Finance and Operations Anne King and Associate Director of Finance and Operations Jennifer Hillen.
Supporting compliance with nonprofit regulations and standards. In 2016, was anyone else at your school thinking about ACA reporting? New FASB standards? Changes to DOL overtime rules? Probably not, so NBOA worked directly for YOU in developing webinars, FAQs, face-to-face programs and other resources and tools for the multitude of requirements and complexities — some of them changing almost at the 11th hour. That's what you should expect from your national association. We'll continue to be there with you each step of the way in 2017.
The North American Conference on the Business Office. Just weeks ago, nearly 50 business officers from every state, plus Canada and Mexico, gathered with the NBOA Board Leadership and special guests to affirm and build the profession's leadership and help identify the critical business, financial and operational issues independent schools will face. I think of this event as the NBOA community on steroids; business officers meeting as strangers, sharing a common professional role and purpose, and leaving as colleagues and friends. We look forward to hosting the program again in 2018.
Speaking of continuous improvement, this will be your last Bottomline newsletter. In January, we're re-branding our twice-monthly communication as Net Assets NOW, providing even better analysis, news and discussions under the banner of our award-winning magazine, Net Assets. Stay tuned for other exciting communications changes aimed at keeping you and your school current, connected and prepared.
Until then, enjoy your well-deserved holiday break — and happy New Year!
Follow NBOA President and CEO Jeff Shields @shieldsNBOA.
