Let’s think about one idea that might be helpful: process versus event. Where do we see this in practice? A standard question we ask students when face to face is “What is the most difficult time of year?” Typically, at least one student will talk about the end of each quarter, semester, or marking period. When asked why that is so hard, the answer is always “The faculty are rushing to get work done so they can have ‘marks’ to report on."

While we are conducting on-site consultations, one of the things we hear is that schedules do not allow enough time for faculty collaboration. Faculty collaboration breaks down the learning silos of the 20th-century model, which in turn helps slow the frenetic pace many students deal with. In other words, faculty collaboration time will help balance demands on students while allowing to have a richer, more productive experience.

Dosomething.org hosted a Green Your School Challenge last year. 5,404 schools and 141,000 students from all over the country participated. Areas of competition included recycling, energy saving, and green agriculture.

There has been renewed conversation in the private school community recently about diversity training. Wikipedia defines diversity training as: Training for the purpose of increasing participants' cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills, which is based on the assumption that the training will benefit an organization by protecting against civil rights violations, increasing the inclusion of different identity groups, and promoting better teamwork. As with any training initiative, schools should reflect on their needs and objectives before launching this training.

On April 4, 2012, Chronicle Online published an article stating that obesity now accounts for almost 21% of all U.S. health care costs. A study from Cornell confirms this is more than twice the previous estimate.

Q: A Board member has been encouraging us to provide diversity training to all faculty and staff. I’m not sure how to approach this. What do you suggest?

Editorial by Michael Brisciana Hurricane Sandy recently left millions on the East Coast seeking a light in the darkness. News stories of devastated communities longing for relief brought to mind the image of a lighthouse—a beacon of light, hope, and safety. A lighthouse is also a powerful visual of the role leaders can play in both good times and bad—pointing the way forward, toward light and safety.

Health care Reform—With the 2012 election now over, it is clear that the PPACA health care reform legislation that was passed in 2010 will be fully implemented. Please check with your benefits adviser to determine where the school’s benefits program stands regarding requirements coming into place in 2013 and 2014.

Consultant Susan Howlett, author of the book Boards on Fire!, was charged with training a trails-based nonprofit’s Board to ask for major gifts. When she broached the issue, she said they were highly resistant.

As Development Director, your duties are in full swing—annual campaign, volunteer training, event management, year-end giving campaign around the corner, donor cultivation and stewardship, maybe even a capital campaign to boot. With all that activity, its amazing you have time to breathe, let alone take time to take care of yourself. But it’s important to give yourself permission to see to your own needs. Don’t collapse under all the pressure! Here’s a few ideas to help you balance.