The 2025 Fall Convocation of Governance Leadership brought together Lasallian leaders from across the District of Eastern North America (DENA) for two days of collaboration, reflection, and strategic dialogue. Held November 7–8 in Warwick and Providence, Rhode Island, the gathering centered on the theme “Strategic Lasallian Leadership: Walking in the Path of the Founder.” Participants explored the evolving landscape of Catholic education and the responsibilities of governance—leading with purpose, adaptability, and a clear sense of mission.

Why this convocation matters

Opening the weekend, the Office for Mission & Ministry grounded the event in Lasallian roots: bringing leaders together, strengthening association, and refocusing on the charism that animates each ministry. That shared formation—local, district, regional, and international—was emphasized as essential for boards and chief administrators alike, ensuring no leader feels they’re carrying the mission alone.

Pre-Convocation Visit: San Miguel School, Providence

Ahead of the official start of the Fall Convocation, the administration and students of The San Miguel School of Providence opened their doors to early arrivals on Friday morning, November 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Guests were welcomed for a student-led tour and light refreshments, offering a firsthand look at the school’s holistic programs and Lasallian approach to formation. Several participants joined the visit and expressed appreciation for the students’ hospitality and the school’s mission-centered environment.

Friday: Keynote on mission in a changed world

At the DoubleTree Hotel in Warwick, the convocation opened with prayer and a keynote by Lincoln Snyder, who invited leaders to “live the mission” with both spiritual clarity and practical governance. He framed Lasallian leadership around faith, zeal, community, and practicality—and challenged boards to see themselves as trustees of the Brothers’ mission, exercising care and loyalty while hiring and forming for mission first. He also encouraged schools to build leadership benches within their own communities to sustain the work long-term.

Table conversations that followed pushed boards and heads to align every decision—finance, staffing, and programming—back to mission impact for students, especially those with fewer advantages.

The evening closed with a reception and dinner hosted by the Board of Trustees at Maria’s Cucina in Providence, strengthening personal connections that make collaboration across ministries real.

Saturday: Prayer, student voices, and strategic priorities

Sessions continued at La Salle Academy with a morning prayer led by students from the De La Salle Middle School, followed by a student panel from La Salle Academy. Brother Robert Schaefer, FSC, Visitor of DENA, then outlined the District’s strategic priorities for the next four years—highlighting leadership development, mission sustainability, and collaborative governance. His message echoed the weekend’s call to form leaders who can both safeguard Lasallian identity and innovate responsibly.

Panel: Prophetic leadership in practice

A standout moment was the panel “Prophetic Leadership: Leading with Faith and Fearlessness,” featuring Brothers Dennis Cronin and Daniel Gardner, FSC, and Chris Fulco. The discussion lifted up several leadership themes:

• Lead with hospitality and inclusion. Creating a genuinely welcoming culture helps retain both students and educators; people stay where they feel they belong and are formed, not just managed.

• Walk with your people. Pace change with listening, mentoring, and accompaniment—so shifts in structure, pedagogy, or schedule build trust rather than resistance.

• Be practical and transparent. Blend pastoral care with honest communication; clarity prevents surprises and strengthens shared responsibility.

• Model servant leadership. In a culture often shaped by ego-driven examples, Lasallian leaders are called to model humility, steadiness, and integrity—leading as older brothers and sisters rather than bosses.

Panelists also explored ways to recruit and retain mission-fit educators and deepen diversity and inclusion so every student truly experiences belonging and support.

Insights from across the ministries

Throughout the weekend, board chairs, heads of school, and mission leaders reflected on how the convocation renews their focus and strengthens association. Common themes included:

• Formation at the board level—integrating spiritual formation into governance practice so mission remains central to leadership.

• Preferential option in action—schools continue to serve those most in need through wraparound support, graduate programs, and holistic formation.

• The gift of association—leaders leave with stronger networks, shared solutions, and a renewed sense of being part of something larger than their own campus.

“Birds of a Feather” – Breakout Session

The convocation wrapped with collaborative discussions on topics such as AI in education, federal funding pressures, and student well-being—followed by lunch and optional campus tours at La Salle Academy. The tone was practical yet hopeful: to read the signs of the times, stay courageous, and act together with clarity of purpose.

Through prayer, honest dialogue, and shared learning, this year’s Fall Convocation renewed collaboration across DENA ministries and recommitted leaders to advancing the Lasallian educational mission—forming students through faith, zeal, community, and practicality.