By Mary Beth Rogers, ED.S, CFO, MSBO Board President, Executive Director of Business Services, Clarkston Community Schools
As we enter into January, we are making and breaking our New Year’s Resolutions. I have a New Year’s resolution that is worth making for all of us. I believe you will not break this resolution. Make the resolution to take advantage of all that MSBO has to offer. In 2024, take full advantage of your membership and all of MSBO’s resources. All of our positions are becoming more difficult and keep changing on us. More and more responsibilities are being added to our plates daily. To stay on top of everything and continue to plow through all of the changes, we really need to rely on MSBO and the members. I believe MSBO can be one reason we all are successful! Let’s take some time and review what we really get from our membership.
First, let’s explore MSBO’s website www.MSBO.org. You can find the listing of the outstanding MSBO staff. Reach out to them when you have questions. You can also find the listing of all of the MSBO Board of Directors. The Board is compiled of folks from all over the state with several years of experience and lots of information to share. They are some of the top in the state. We, as a Board, are here to serve you. Reach out if you have questions. Also, to help you be successful, there are regional groups and several committees. These are all great resources at your fingertips.
In addition to several top-notch business officials for you to reach out to, there is a vast variety of professional development opportunities offered in many different styles to meet everyone’s needs. Take the time to review the MSBO Schedule of Events. MSBO offers in-person professional development including the best annual conference I have ever attended. MSBO offers a variety of virtual professional development opportunities. MSBO offers webinars on demand, instructional videos, and Group Solutions. MSBO is adding Group Solutions to other tracks, and don’t forget to take advantage of the Business Manager Academy and Leadership Institute where you can become part of a cohort or group to guide you through your career. The best part of MSBO’s professional development is that MSBO offers several voluntary certification tracks to help get you ready and prepared for your position.
A section of the website is dedicated to school finance. In this section, you can find topics on school finance including but not limited to, MSPERS, state funding, federal funding, purchasing, payroll and benefits, bonding, investing and rules and regulations. In addition, MSBO includes current up to date state legislation, funding, and links. Take the time in 2024 to explore and study this section. You will learn a lot and this section can help you not to reinvent the wheel.
There are many other sections on the website including several business solutions, and several resources with many links worth checking out. There is an entire section dedicated for resources for support services. The support services section is great for all members to review and become more knowledgeable.
In addition to the website, MSBO has several listservs, and they continue to add and enhance the listservs. Listservs can be invaluable when you need a quick questioned answered. There is so much knowledge out there and what a great avenue to share our ideas and knowledge. When my superintendent or others in my district come to me with questions and I do not know the answer or just need back up, I can rely on the listserv. It has saved me countless times.
MSBO is always celebrating our successes with awards and scholarships and MSBO invests in their members. There are many scholarships members can apply for to help with professional development opportunities. The other best part of MSBO is the members. We are all here to support one another!
Other Articles in this Newsletter
- Create Your Professional Network
- Do Not Miss This Opportunity
- MSBO 2024 Board of Directors Candidates Announced
- MSBO Annual Conference Early Bird Registration Opens in February
- MSBO Update – Robert Dwan
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Radical Candor meets AI – Sharon Raschke
- Real World Problem Solving
- Welcome New Members