Selection Process

  • Each CSBA region will have a Regional Judge panel identify the top application from the respective region (for a maximum of 21 nominations statewide)
  • Regional nominations (for a maximum of 21) will be submitted to CSBA for a second round of scoring, to be judged by a confidential Statewide Award Panel which will select the Governance Team of the Year
  • Site validator will visit the top Governance Team to view a Board Meeting. Site validator will verify that the information submitted in the application is consistent with what is being practiced
  • Top scoring regional winner will be recognized at the regional level
  • The Governance Team of the Year will be notified by CSBA of the award and will receive the Golden Gavel and be inducted into the Golden Gavel Hall of Fame
  • CSBA reserves the right to bypass the regional judging and proceed straight to state-wide judging process based on the number of applications received

Recognition:

  • The Governance Team of the Year will be recognized and presented with an award at CSBA‘s Annual Education Conference (AEC), at a General Session by the former Governance Team of the Year winner and/or their designee from the previous year and the Vice President
  • The Governance Team of the Year will be featured in the CSBA California Schools magazine, the monthly California School News publication, on the CSBA website and social media
  • Members of the Governance Team of the Year may be asked to participate in speaking engagements throughout the state at the request of the Regional Directors or CSBA
  • Golden Gavel Hall of Fame inductees are eligible to score nomination materials at the state-wide level for one year during the award cycle immediately following their induction into the Golden Gavel Hall of Fame

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