What is START?

Purpose

Recognizing the unique role of students serving on school boards, NSBMA's Student Trustee Action Readiness Training (START) online conference aims to train the nation's incoming Student Board Members in preparation for a term of service and dedication to a sole student constituency.

Design

START trains student board members through hands-on experience in brainstorming, developing, and presenting a policy proposal, and simulated immersion into the role via a mock board meeting. Students are divided into Council Group Sessions focused on an issue area chosen by the entire delegation, in which they collaborate to create a proposal they presented to NSBMA's Intergenerational Partner Panel (IPP) Cohort at the end of the conference. These "Council Sessions" are hosted in conjunction with in-depth informational training on board governance, student outreach, district policy, among other topics.

START Conference

The START process incorporates both informational and experiential learning in order to train student board members on the essentials of board service.

Alongside learning about school board governance, LEA budgeting, administrative policy, constituency engagement, and more, student board members also get to practice each of these aspects of board service through Council Sessions and the creation of their START project: a complete personalized student board member policy proposal to the board of education.

Delegates work with fellow student board members and a trained council staff member, who is a former student board member themselves, to complete their START project. During the 3-day conference, the delegates present their policy proposal to NSBMA's Intergenerational Partner Panel, a group of esteemed educational leaders from across the nation including superintendents, board of education presidents, non-profit CEOs, and policymakers.

General Sessions

General sessions are held with the entire delegation. They are led by the START Conference Directors and often include field-expert guest speakers.

In General Sessions, student board members:

Receive training on essential aspects of board service, such as board meeting procedure, administrative policy, LEA budgeting, student outreach, and more;
Select their START proposal topics and groups;
Experience a Mock Board of Education meeting;
Learn about NSBMA, our resources, and additional opportunities for student board member advocacy and involvement
Present their finalized START proposal to NSBMA Intergenerational Education Partner Cohort for feedback and exposure.

Council Sessions

Council sessions are held in "Council Groups" of student board members all working on a policy proposal. They are led by a START Council Staffer and assisted by a START Research and Policy Staffer, both trained and experienced former student board members.

In Council Sessions, student board members:

Work with their Council Staffer and Research and Policy Staffer to brainstorm, ideate, draft, and finalize their START policy proposal;
Are guided through the intricate and complex considerations and decisions made in policy creation;
Bond and network with fellow student board members from across the nation;
Receive personalized feedback from the esteemed and accomplished former student board members highlighted by NSBMA

Parsec Education Measure What We Value 2

Why should your Student Board Member attend NSBMA's START Conference?

Now in its third year, this three-day virtual conference is an essential opportunity for student board members to get the tools they need to be active, collaborative participants during their year of service. At NSBMA, we believe that all school board members—including students—deserve high-quality training, professional development, and networking opportunities to be effective leaders. That’s why we created START, a peer-to-peer and near-peer learning experience designed specifically to meet the unique needs of student board members.

START is the only national training designed exclusively for student board members, bringing together student trustees from across the country for an authentic and engaging learning experience. Through immersive training tailored to their unique roles, START ensures delegates begin their term prepared and confident. NSBMA is dedicated to equipping every student board member with the skills and support needed to improve their school system.

Testimonials

"One of the highlights of START was learning about how to draft policies because I hadn't thought about pursing that before."

Ava Zhang, 2023-2025 Mercer Island School District Student Board Member

Attendance & Financial Barriers

Please work to finalize any attendee changes and notify us by the following dates in order to secure a refund and ensure the best conference experience for all attendees. You may submit a change request by emailing allyson.chan@nsbma.net to be considered for a refund.
-Changes on or before July 18th: Fees will be refunded in full.
-Changes on or before July 25th: 50% of fees will be refunded.
-Changes after August 2nd: Fees will not be refunded.

If the cost of the conference is a barrier to your student board member's attendance, please reach out to allyson.chan@nsbma.net and we will work to support you.