In response to feedback received from GovernorNet users, we developed an electronic Year Planner tool, which provides a simple way of managing school governance tasks online. Since its launch, we have received very positive feedback and suggestions for improvement, much of which has now been incorporated.  New Features (NF) are highlighted below. 

This interactive tool is designed to complement the paper version provided in the September 2003 issue of Governors newsletter.  NAGM also have a Four Year Planner which can be downloaded as an excel spreadsheet and organised specifically for your school.

To get the best out of this GovernorNet tool, you need to register and login.  (Registration (free) is through the Register Here tab located at the top of each page, Login is by entering your email address and password (once registered) in the boxes provided at the top of each page). Logging in allows you to create your own personalised calendar, using the listed Tasks. 

The Year Planner is split into two sections: Calendar informs you of the current day�s date (in red) and any upcoming events by showing in bold, days that have tasks or events scheduled. If you are not logged in, you will only see 'national' dates i.e., conferences, statutory implementation dates, publication dates of Governors newsletter, etc. that the GovernorNet administration team have entered. If you are logged in, you will see bold dates that also have tasks allocated by yourself. If there is a task allocated to the date you select, information about it will be visible in calendar view. You can change the date tasks are allocated to by accessing them from the calendar view and using the edit or remove functions available.

NF: If you scroll down to the bottom of the page in calendar view, you can access the Print Friendly option, which will allow you to print out the page without the buttons and toolbars appearing.

Tasks contains tasks, categorised by the term they relate to. Click on the Term buttons beneath the tab bar to view the tasks associated with each term. Click on individual tasks to expand them so that you can see additional information, including an explanation, links to further/background reading, links to other useful websites and dates that you have allocated the task to in your calendar (NF). 

NF: From both the normal and print-friendly expanded views (see below), if you have added a task to your calendar, you will be able to click on the dates that you have allocated the task to, and will be taken directly to the calendar.  This allows you to check if it conflicts with other appointments. 

NF: If you scroll down to the bottom of the page in task view, you can access the Print Friendly option, which will allow you to print out the page without the buttons and toolbars appearing.  Also, in the print friendly view, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you can select Expand All Events, which allows you to print out all contents � it also shows the web addresses of included links.

If you are logged in, you can schedule the listed tasks into your calendar by clicking the Add button and filling in the form box that appears - the Notes box (NF: has been enlarged) can be used to enter free text if required.  If amendments to the information are required, this can be done from the Calendar view - select the task via the appropriate bold date and edit as required. Once you have assigned tasks, they are viewable via the Calendar, but only whilst logged in.

NF: You can also create a new task, if it doesn�t appear on the task lists, by clicking on the Add New Task option. You need to complete the form that appears, including selecting a status, which now includes a Personal option.  Once created, you then schedule it into your calendar in the normal way.

If there are tasks that don't appear in the list but you feel others would find useful, you are aware of dates/events that would be of interest to other governors, you experience any difficulties, or have any feedback, please contact the GovernorNet Team.