Being a Leader

The Suzuki School of Newton is seeking new Board members to join our leadership team! 

It is around this time of year that we look to find expertise from among our community to join the Board for a three-year term.

Among the areas we are seeking to add to our Board include someone experienced in human resources, fundraising, and legal compliance for a non-profit corporation. Most of all, we seek board members who are interested in our mission: teaching a love of music and learning through the Suzuki philosophy.

I know it is difficult to find the time to add one more thing to one's schedule, but Suzuki School of Newton relies on the Board of Directors to keep the school strong and moving forward. 

What does it mean to be a leader? 

"A leader is someone who behaves in ways to bring people together to move things forward" (1) This was the definition given to me while attending a Leadership Institute held by the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Our Suzuki Board is a wonderful group of people, many of whom have had years of connection with the Suzuki School of Newton and some who have only been on the Board for a few  years. The Board has had a major role in strategic planning: first in establishing the Suzuki Preschool, then in purchasing and renovating our magnificent facility, and in the past few years creating a new strategic plan to ensure the future of the school through thoughtful growth.  The Suzuki School needs these kinds of leaders so that we can ensure our sustainability.

Another important aspect of the Leadership Institute was "Reflective Practice" led by a poet, Judy Brown. Her role for the leaders at this Institute was to create space for us to share and to reflect.  She shared her poem about "Fire" excerpted here (2)

What makes a fire burn

Is space between the logs

A breathing space,

Too much of a good thing,

Too many logs

Packed in too tight

Can douse the flames

Almost as surely 

As a pail of water

...

A fire

Grows

Simply because the space is there

With openings

In which the flame

That knows just how it wants to burn

Can find its way.

I have learned that being a leader would mean being able to step back myself, and reflect on the bigger picture.  What is needed now and what might be need a few years from now may be different objectives.  Thus, taking the time to reflect and breathe, can lead to better long term decisions.

We seek to build a cohesive team--finding like minded Board members who want to ensure the Suzuki School of Newton continues to fulfil its mission of teaching a love of music and learning. Our school requires important leaders:  Please let me know if you are interested in joining the Suzuki Board beginning September 2022.

References:

(1) McCann, John;  CAELI 2017 workshop, Bryn Mawr PA 

(2) Brown, Judy: A Leader's Guide to Reflective Practice,Trafford Publishing