Important work designed to help teachers make their schools safer has continued this fall through National Life’s sponsorship of the National Coalition for Safe Schools.
National Life has been working to better organize the coalition to make it sustainable for the long term, including getting it incorporated, organized as a recognized nonprofit, and establishing a management structure.
National Life is dedicated to the idea that teachers are one of the best places to start in improving the safety of the schools.
NCSS has emerged as the way to accomplish that.
It was founded early this year by a group of teachers, including 2017-18 LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize Winner Brian Copes.
One of the many reasons the goals and aspirations of NCSS were embraced by National Life is that the organizers are focused on addressing the root causes of violence and negative behaviors.
That includes addressing social emotional learning, bullying and all forms of violence.
A week ago, a few members of the NCSS board gathered in Chicago to develop action plans for the next six months, 12 months and two years.
The daylong meeting consisted of working with an Association Management Firm, MCI USA, who offered their services pro bono because of their admiration for our cause.
MCI guided NCSS in a series of exercises to define a long-term strategy as well as building out concrete action plans that will allow the coalition to achieve goals over the next couple of years.
Key partnerships, potential funders, budget and staff, policy positioning and products and services were all discussed. The entire board will vote on key matters next week.
Currently, NCSS is in the process of securing funding to contract with an Association Management Firm, potentially MCI, to act as the Executive Director of the coalition as well as assist with day to day operations including fundraising, financial management and strategy. The coalition will remain teacher-led, however, with teacher leaders as officers and board members.
NCSS is nearly incorporated and will next apply for 501c3 status.
National Life continues to play a key role in the formation and development of this coalition, and we continue to leverage our affiliation at key events.