Keynote Speaker: Bill de la Cruz
Bill de la Cruz 
Conflict & Transformational Expert; AuthorBill de la Cruz will close out the day as he challenges, engages, and informs us on the fundamental aspects and concepts of conflict, and how as leaders we can effectively solve conflict when we practice leading with an adaptive mindset at the board table.
Bill at IASB's 78th Annual Convention
Pre-Convention Workshop
It’s All About Trust: Developing & Balancing School Board-Superintendent Team Trust Workshop
Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)A strong, collaborative relationship between the school board and superintendent is critical for effective governance and management. When this relationship is thriving, the district can achieve its goals and objectives, and effectively meet the needs of students, staff, and the community. When the relationship isn’t thriving, the district’s ability to serve its students and community can be negatively impacted with confusion, conflict and mistrust.
Join Keynote Speaker Bill de la Cruz for an in-depth workshop with interactive discussions, activities, and roleplaying. You will leave with heightened awareness of the importance of this relationship, new strategies to develop trust through collaboration and communication, and clear takeaways to share at the board table.
Special thanks to Modern Design Architects for sponsoring this Pre-Convention Workshop.
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Closing General Session
The Role of Adaptive Leadership in Working Through Conflict
Thursday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.For better or worse, conflict is everywhere we look in the world today, and is certainly inescapable at the board table. What if the answers were already in the room? Today's most successful leaders practice adaptive leadership. They know that with flexibility and a little curiosity, we can tap into the wisdom that our community brings to identify and solve the real-life conflicts we are facing. Adaptive leaders don’t lead effectively because they have all the answers; they lead effectively by creating dialogue that builds relationships and invites everyone to participate in conflict resolution.
You'll be glad you stayed for our closing general session, as Bill de la Cruz challenges, engages, and informs us on the fundamental aspects and concepts of conflict, and how as leaders we can effectively solve conflict when we practice leading with an adaptive mindset at the board table.
In addition to Bill's closing general session, the 78th IASB Annual Convention will feature an opening general session presented by Education & Cultural Futurist, Ravi Hutheesing, and a second general session presented by Generational Expert, Chuck Underwood.
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Post-Convention Workshop
Board Presidents' Workshop Featuring Keynoter Bill de la Cruz
Friday, Nov. 17 at 8 a.m.–NoonOnce again we’ll be offering this four-hour customized workshop for board presidents, vice presidents, and aspiring board leaders. This year Bill de la Cruz, an expert in facilitation, will be leading our workshop, focusing on effective conflict transformation for school board presidents.
Conflict is a natural part of any organization, including school boards. As facilitators, board presidents play a critical role in managing and resolving conflicts among board members to ensure the smooth operation of the school district.
This workshop is designed to provide board presidents with the skills, strategies and tools they need to effectively transform conflicts within their board teams. In this interactive session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of conflict dynamics and leave with a practical framework for building board unity by leveraging various facilitation skills and techniques.
And...we’ll cap off our special session with our popular Unconference portion of the day, where participants will network and self-select issues and topics to discuss and problem-solve together with peers. Breakfast and refreshments will be served. While the content is designed to target the board president audience, anyone is welcome to attend
Special thanks to Modern Design Architects for sponsoring the Board Presidents’ Workshop.
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Full Biography
Meet Bill
Bill de la Cruz is an inspiring belonging and inclusion facilitator who has been guiding individuals and groups through the process of personal transformation as a mediator and workshop leader for 30 years. Bill has served as a school board member and board president, and he co-authored the Equity Toolkit for Colorado school administrators. He delivers keynotes and facilitates bias awareness and deconstruction workshops across the country with his consulting firm De La Cruz Solutions. His programs and workshops help individuals and groups build self-awareness, enhance relationships, and foster positive, sustainable personal growth.
Bill is a published author with a book titled Finding the Origination Point, Understanding Our Biases to Create a More Peaceful World. The origination point of our biases is the point of understanding and healing. Normalizing bias conversations allows us to talk about how our past experiences play a role in our present personal interactions. The Origination Point also explores the connection of how individual experiences are transferred into communities, organizations, schools, and human cultures.
Contact
Iowa Association of School Boards
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
© 2017–23 Iowa Association of School Boards
14.2.2022.101