Summer is a time for educators to stockpile books to read on planes, trains, and automobiles; near beaches, lakes, and mountains. So let me offer my own reading recommendation, with the hope that it prompts you to ask better questions in more thoughtful ways. Most recently, I read excerpts from my newest favorite book, A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger, to set the tone for the strategic visioning process now underway at NCGS.

As nearly 550 educators and advocates of girls gathered for the 2015 NCGS Conference at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Virginia, to explore questions inspired by the topic "From STEM to STEAM," the NCGS board launched a conversation about the future of this impressive coalition of girls' schools around the world. Berger's first chapter seemed tailor made for both those who attended the conference and the trustees responsible for imagining, with your help, the future of our organization.

In exploring the query "what can a question do," Berger cites professionals who offer useful analogies and descriptions. A question can: shine light on where you need to go, be the spade that unearths buried truths, and is the switch that produces the light bulb effect. The lazy days of summer are certainly the right ones for imagining such questions! Berger quotes David Cooperrider, a Case Western professor, who notes "organizations gravitate toward the questions they ask." For those of us who lead, this observation seems obvious, yet prompts reflection as well.

Just as the passionate educators and advocates gathered in Richmond dove into their investigation about engaging girls in the study of science, math, engineering, arts, and technology, the NCGS board challenged itself to fill the air with lofty questions of its own -- questions designed to put possibility in our planning. Since Cooperrider suggests "we all live in the world our questions create," we were determined to create an openness in our investigation that would inspire our members to engage with us on the journey.

To that end, we embedded a first round of live polling questions directly into the annual report presentation, asking attendees on the second day of the conference to vote electronically on those NCGS programs they most valued and those they wished to see more of. It was powerful to see immediate affirmation of the work NCGS does with networking, advocacy, research, and professional development. The responses gathered during the live polling will help us create an NCGS future that promises return on investment for our member schools.

In the months ahead, you will hear more about our plans to serve girls' schools near and far with programs and services that elevate the case for girls' education. We hope you will feel free to offer up your own ideas and invite you to contact any member of the NCGS staff to do so. NCGS is the go-to organization for so many of you for so many good reasons. We love our reputation in that regard. We intend to continue delivering on our commitment to connect, collaborate, and convene around all the right questions with you.

Happy summer,