Board of Governors Board Room

[BanaBatGirl]

"Hogwarts' School for Witchcraft and Wizardy's highest authority, the governing board consisting of 12 elected members of the community, will periodically and when necessary hold meetings and events in a provided room on the school premises."

-Hogwarts School Charter & Founding Documents

It just so happens that the room the BoG has been given used to be a dusty old classroom and practice room for student use. The dust is gone, the desks have been replaced by an elegant business table, and the governors all have comfortable, reclining executive chairs now. The long, green chalkboard on one side of the room is all that remains of the historic Classroom Eleven.

OOC NOTE: Only Board of Governors Governors, Board of Governors candidates, and current Hogwarts Staff are permitted in this thread unless express permission has otherwise been given.

[Cassirin]

The Board Room didn't get much use, and Cassandra was pleased to find that the room was clean and dust-free in spite of that fact. She admired the pressed bluebells that were a gift from her now-graduated daughter, hanging on the wall near the door, before taking a seat at the head of the table.

Merlin, these seats were so cushy.

[BanaBatGirl]

Anastasia click-clacked her way to the Board of Governors room right on time. She let herself in and smiled to see that only Rae, the other awesome Headmistress, was already in the room. Right on time.

"Hi Cassandra," she greeted the other woman, taking a seat directly opposite her. "How are you today? Shall I trouble the house elves for a tea service?"

[Droo]

Ian walked in and shrugged. "I don't need tea, but if you do Anastasia, Cassandra... feel free." He told the two and sat in a seat with a notepad and quill.

[Cassirin]

Hmm. Amoroso was here as well? How... lovely. So much for polite, discrete conversation between one Headmistress and another. Now they had to censor themselves for the Minister of Magic's spy.

"Yes, let's have tea. I find the serving itself to be very soothing." And Merlin knew that soothing was always a good addition to meetings such as these. "I assume you know why I asked you to meet with me today, Anastasia?"

[BanaBatGirl]

"And the house elves absolutely love entertaining," Annie agreed, with a stiff nod of greeting in Amoroso's direction. She was watching him out of the corner of her eye. He seemed less... Amorosososo than usual... as if she cared.

The redhead flicked her wand into her hand and sent off a silver nundu patronus to the kitchens. She put the wand back into its wrist holster and then folded her hands calmly on the table in front of her, resisting the urge to tap her manicured nails impatiently. "Yes, of course. This meeting will serve as my semi-annual, is it, performance review?" She kept her polite smile in place and her eyes fixed on Rae.

But really, was Amoroso truly going to take notes during this whole thing? If so, Annie was going to find it difficult not to attempt to read what he was writing, even if it was upside-down.

[Droo]

"Alright... so state your name..." He said and looked at her waiting.

He then laughed and said "I'm teasing, I think this should be easy... I think you could start by telling us about this year. How were things? Any better than last term?"

[Cassirin]

"Mr. Amoroso, if you'd be so kind to let me conduct my interview properly, I would very much appreciate it," Cassandra turned a bland smile on the man before nodding to his hands. "I'm hoping you'll take plenty of notes. Please feel free to ask a clarifying question if necessary."

But mostly... butt out.

She turned her attention back to Annie. "You're correct, of course... it's time for your review, but I wouldn't worry about it. If anything, the Board is on trial this term after so long in letting our minimal numbers be a reason why we haven't been participating actively in school life. You are in review, but you aren't on trial."

Cassandra smoothed her hands along the smooth leather of the chair arm rest as she gathered her thoughts. "We've sort of invaded your space this term. I want to get to that in a moment, but perhaps you could talk about your first two years here as Headmistress. Now that you've settled in, how do you feel the staff and yourself are performing at your jobs?"

[BanaBatGirl]

Anastasia's face and folded hands tensed up when Amoroso so seriously asked her to state her name. What was this, a trial?! What was she on trial for?! She hadn't allowed any students to be eaten by plants this term, nor had she even hosted a single evil detention this year! She deserved to be praised, not sc---

Oh, he was only joking. Annie let out a tiny exhale of relief and relaxed back into her chair. Okay then, Cassandra wanted to run this thing. Right. She nodded at each of the Governors to show that she understood and tried to put a little smile back on her face.

"Mr. Amoroso, President Rae-Branxton... I think things are going much more smoothly this term. Despite the loss of two of ah, our own, last year, I think our new staff members have stepped up nicely and are making a positive impact on the school." She was going to be forever smoothing over that lump in her history as Headmistress, wasn't she? Moving on... "I would say most of the staff are teaching at a satisfactory level. I only had a few sub-par ratings from those helpful candidate observers, but I plan to address any teaching issues one-on-one. I will sit in on lessons myself if I feel the students' educations could be suffering."

As for herself? "Well I'd say I'm doing all right," Annie's smile curved into a smirk for a moment. "I'm not receiving Howlers on a daily basis," just a bi-weekly one, "so I must be doing something right. I've been working closely with the Deputy Headmaster and the Hogsmeade shopkeepers to insure that we have no more security breaches with the school... the staff and I have also been discussing how to strengthen the defense network of charms and enchantments currently protecting Hogwarts. We're willing to consider outside help or defense contracting if it comes down to it."

She tilted her head at the former Headmistress for a moment. "Perhaps you also have some ideas for better protecting the school, as an Auror and former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Cassandra? I'm always open to new ideas." Didn't mean she would implement the ideas, but she would politely pretend to listen to them.

[Nimma]

Nimma was a busy little house elf but that was no excuse for being late. She would punish herself later because right now, the house elf had a more important cause. Nimma arrived outside the Board of Governors Board Room with a pop, the tray floating behind her. She knocked shyly on the door before opening it and bowing her head.

"Nimma has tea, ma'am. Nimma is sorry for being late. But Nimma is here now." She she lifted up the tray onto a little stand that had magically appeared, her tiny arms wobbling under the pressure, slightly. Nimma reached up to pour the three adultsies they're tea. She poured each of the adultsies a mug before balancing the tray on her head to offer around.

"Nimma has scones too, if adultsies would like."

[Droo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Mr. Amoroso, if you'd be so kind to let me conduct my interview properly, I would very much appreciate it," Cassandra turned a bland smile on the man before nodding to his hands. "I'm hoping you'll take plenty of notes. Please feel free to ask a clarifying question if necessary."

But mostly... butt out.

She turned her attention back to Annie. "You're correct, of course... it's time for your review, but I wouldn't worry about it. If anything, the Board is on trial this term after so long in letting our minimal numbers be a reason why we haven't been participating actively in school life. You are in review, but you aren't on trial."

Cassandra smoothed her hands along the smooth leather of the chair arm rest as she gathered her thoughts. "We've sort of invaded your space this term. I want to get to that in a moment, but perhaps you could talk about your first two years here as Headmistress. Now that you've settled in, how do you feel the staff and yourself are performing at your jobs?"

He looked at the board President and blinked. Her interview? He was to take notes and ask clarifying questions? Really? He had been assigned the task of conducting the review... hadn't he? Why did he take the time out of his busy schedule, what with the elections and all, to come here just to serve as a quill?

Whatever.

He was here now. "Yes. Madam. President." He said not hiding his annoyance and pulling out his Quick-Quotes Quill and a piece of parchment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Anastasia's face and folded hands tensed up when Amoroso so seriously asked her to state her name. What was this, a trial?! What was she on trial for?! She hadn't allowed any students to be eaten by plants this term, nor had she even hosted a single evil detention this year! She deserved to be praised, not sc---

Oh, he was only joking. Annie let out a tiny exhale of relief and relaxed back into her chair. Okay then, Cassandra wanted to run this thing. Right. She nodded at each of the Governors to show that she understood and tried to put a little smile back on her face.

"Mr. Amoroso, President Rae-Branxton... I think things are going much more smoothly this term. Despite the loss of two of ah, our own, last year, I think our new staff members have stepped up nicely and are making a positive impact on the school." She was going to be forever smoothing over that lump in her history as Headmistress, wasn't she? Moving on... "I would say most of the staff are teaching at a satisfactory level. I only had a few sub-par ratings from those helpful candidate observers, but I plan to address any teaching issues one-on-one. I will sit in on lessons myself if I feel the students' educations could be suffering."

As for herself? "Well I'd say I'm doing all right," Annie's smile curved into a smirk for a moment. "I'm not receiving Howlers on a daily basis," just a bi-weekly one, "so I must be doing something right. I've been working closely with the Deputy Headmaster and the Hogsmeade shopkeepers to insure that we have no more security breaches with the school... the staff and I have also been discussing how to strengthen the defense network of charms and enchantments currently protecting Hogwarts. We're willing to consider outside help or defense contracting if it comes down to it."

She tilted her head at the former Headmistress for a moment. "Perhaps you also have some ideas for better protecting the school, as an Auror and former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Cassandra? I'm always open to new ideas." Didn't mean she would implement the ideas, but she would politely pretend to listen to them.

He looked over to his quill and it was being fairly accurate in it's transcribing... Maybe he would not need to speak. Good. He'd speak to Rae-Branxton in private later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimma

Nimma was a busy little house elf but that was no excuse for being late. She would punish herself later because right now, the house elf had a more important cause. Nimma arrived outside the Board of Governors Board Room with a pop, the tray floating behind her. She knocked shyly on the door before opening it and bowing her head.

"Nimma has tea, ma'am. Nimma is sorry for being late. But Nimma is here now." She she lifted up the tray onto a little stand that had magically appeared, her tiny arms wobbling under the pressure, slightly. Nimma reached up to pour the three adultsies they're tea. She poured each of the adultsies a mug before balancing the tray on her head to offer around.

"Nimma has scones too, if adultsies would like."

"Grand! Come over here with those scone, luv. And you don't happen to have brought any coffee? I'd love a cup if you have one." SCOOOOONES!

[Harold Lagerty]

Merlin's Beard was that really the time?!

Harold was running late as he climbed into the Fire grate in the Broomsticks. He was supposed to be at the Castle helping with the evaluation of Mrs. Truebridge and he had allowed himself to get sidetracked with doing the pub's inventory. He threw a handful of Floo Powder into his specially one way, once use, Hogwarts Board approved Floo connection to the Board room.

*Crack!*

Harold stepped out of the green flames emitting from the fireplace and brushed a bit of soot off of his jacket. "So sorry, I'm late. Cassandra, Ian...Anastasia." he bowed heads to them each quickly as he took his seat beside the Board President. He simply sat there to watch, he wasn't going to take notes or anything.

He had missed what had just been said but Annie seemed to be holding up alright. He politely took a scone and tea from the House Elf and waiting for the meeting to go on.

[Cassirin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Anastasia's face and folded hands tensed up when Amoroso so seriously asked her to state her name. What was this, a trial?! What was she on trial for?! She hadn't allowed any students to be eaten by plants this term, nor had she even hosted a single evil detention this year! She deserved to be praised, not sc---

Oh, he was only joking. Annie let out a tiny exhale of relief and relaxed back into her chair. Okay then, Cassandra wanted to run this thing. Right. She nodded at each of the Governors to show that she understood and tried to put a little smile back on her face.

"Mr. Amoroso, President Rae-Branxton... I think things are going much more smoothly this term. Despite the loss of two of ah, our own, last year, I think our new staff members have stepped up nicely and are making a positive impact on the school." She was going to be forever smoothing over that lump in her history as Headmistress, wasn't she? Moving on... "I would say most of the staff are teaching at a satisfactory level. I only had a few sub-par ratings from those helpful candidate observers, but I plan to address any teaching issues one-on-one. I will sit in on lessons myself if I feel the students' educations could be suffering."

As for herself? "Well I'd say I'm doing all right," Annie's smile curved into a smirk for a moment. "I'm not receiving Howlers on a daily basis," just a bi-weekly one, "so I must be doing something right. I've been working closely with the Deputy Headmaster and the Hogsmeade shopkeepers to insure that we have no more security breaches with the school... the staff and I have also been discussing how to strengthen the defense network of charms and enchantments currently protecting Hogwarts. We're willing to consider outside help or defense contracting if it comes down to it."

She tilted her head at the former Headmistress for a moment. "Perhaps you also have some ideas for better protecting the school, as an Auror and former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Cassandra? I'm always open to new ideas." Didn't mean she would implement the ideas, but she would politely pretend to listen to them.

Cassandra nodded through the woman's sharing, taking a few notes herself for reference, although she trusted their secretary to really take solid notes on everything that was discussed at this meeting. That was presumably why he'd been invited, was it not? "I'm pleased you're taking to heart the suggestions the candidates give you. I think it would please all of us immensely if you would take some time to sit in on some classes, as you suggested, to see if there is any merit to the sub-par ratings."

It was a shame that in all her self-reflection, the Headmistress didn't see any need to reach out to the Board. Perhaps that was just the lapsed relationship, and so Cassandra spoke again. "As for strengthening security, I'd be happy to go over your plans with you. I suggest we also bring in some experts in that field, at the expense of the Board, obviously. Please don't hesitate to make us one of your primary resources. We can be responsible for providing you with the people and things you need to accomplish the goals you set for yourself."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimma

Nimma was a busy little house elf but that was no excuse for being late. She would punish herself later because right now, the house elf had a more important cause. Nimma arrived outside the Board of Governors Board Room with a pop, the tray floating behind her. She knocked shyly on the door before opening it and bowing her head.

"Nimma has tea, ma'am. Nimma is sorry for being late. But Nimma is here now." She she lifted up the tray onto a little stand that had magically appeared, her tiny arms wobbling under the pressure, slightly. Nimma reached up to pour the three adultsies they're tea. She poured each of the adultsies a mug before balancing the tray on her head to offer around.

"Nimma has scones too, if adultsies would like."

"Thank you, Nimma. Please convey our appreciation to all the house elves," Cassandra accepted her cup of tea and added a bit of lemon. "No scone for me, but please leave them on the table in case we get peckish."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold Lagerty

Merlin's Beard was that really the time?!

Harold was running late as he climbed into the Fire grate in the Broomsticks. He was supposed to be at the Castle helping with the evaluation of Mrs. Truebridge and he had allowed himself to get sidetracked with doing the pub's inventory. He threw a handful of Floo Powder into his specially one way, once use, Hogwarts Board approved Floo connection to the Board room.

*Crack!*

Harold stepped out of the green flames emitting from the fireplace and brushed a bit of soot off of his jacket. "So sorry, I'm late. Cassandra, Ian...Anastasia." he bowed heads to them each quickly as he took his seat beside the Board President. He simply sat there to watch, he wasn't going to take notes or anything.

He had missed what had just been said but Annie seemed to be holding up alright. He politely took a scone and tea from the House Elf and waiting for the meeting to go on.

"Hops, we've already begun," Cassandra pointed out a seat to the man and fixed him with a look. They were most certainly overwhelming poor Anastasia by ALL being there. How odd.

"Annie, what level of intrusion do you feel is appropriate for future interactions with the Board of Governors? How are we making life easier or harder for you now?"

[Droo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold Lagerty

Merlin's Beard was that really the time?!

Harold was running late as he climbed into the Fire grate in the Broomsticks. He was supposed to be at the Castle helping with the evaluation of Mrs. Truebridge and he had allowed himself to get sidetracked with doing the pub's inventory. He threw a handful of Floo Powder into his specially one way, once use, Hogwarts Board approved Floo connection to the Board room.

*Crack!*

Harold stepped out of the green flames emitting from the fireplace and brushed a bit of soot off of his jacket. "So sorry, I'm late. Cassandra, Ian...Anastasia." he bowed heads to them each quickly as he took his seat beside the Board President. He simply sat there to watch, he wasn't going to take notes or anything.

He had missed what had just been said but Annie seemed to be holding up alright. He politely took a scone and tea from the House Elf and waiting for the meeting to go on.

"Oi, Mate!" He said with a napkin full of scones. "Sit... Cassandra has things under control... she's conducting the interview." He said and then pointed to the quill that was scribbling on parchment beside him, "I'm taking notes..." He grinned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Cassandra nodded through the woman's sharing, taking a few notes herself for reference, although she trusted their secretary to really take solid notes on everything that was discussed at this meeting. That was presumably why he'd been invited, was it not? "I'm pleased you're taking to heart the suggestions the candidates give you. I think it would please all of us immensely if you would take some time to sit in on some classes, as you suggested, to see if there is any merit to the sub-par ratings."

It was a shame that in all her self-reflection, the Headmistress didn't see any need to reach out to the Board. Perhaps that was just the lapsed relationship, and so Cassandra spoke again. "As for strengthening security, I'd be happy to go over your plans with you. I suggest we also bring in some experts in that field, at the expense of the Board, obviously. Please don't hesitate to make us one of your primary resources. We can be responsible for providing you with the people and things you need to accomplish the goals you set for yourself."

"Thank you, Nimma. Please convey our appreciation to all the house elves," Cassandra accepted her cup of tea and added a bit of lemon. "No scone for me, but please leave them on the table in case we get peckish."

"Hops, we've already begun," Cassandra pointed out a seat to the man and fixed him with a look. They were most certainly overwhelming poor Anastasia by ALL being there. How odd.

"Annie, what level of intrusion do you feel is appropriate for future interactions with the Board of Governors? How are we making life easier or harder for you now?"

"Oh right... Yes Nimma, thank you... and your colleagues..." He then whispered, "And thanks in advance for getting me that coffee..." HINT HINT...

He put a corner of the scone in his mouth and then took it out immediatly when the president spoke about intrusion. "I'm not sure intrusion is the right word Cassandra... I doubt you, Hops and myself are making her life miserable... no... wait... maybe the words to change in that sentence isn't 'intrusion' but the 'board of governors', as in fact I believe it's the candidates who may be causing an intrusion... is that what you meant?"

[BanaBatGirl]

Well then. After that long speech of hers, a number of things started happening --- finally, Annie might add. The house elf showed up with the tea, Hops hopped through the floo, and then Amoroso was talking through a mouth full of scones and Cassandra was mothering her.

Annie sat back and watched it all with a detached sense of amusement before it occurred to her that she was supposed to say something else. "Oh, that's lovely, Nimma dear, thank you for your promptness," Annie took a cup of tea and patted the elf's head distractedly. She realized about a minute too late that she was putting her thumb into a scone, since the elf had the tea tray on her head, and hurried to put the baked good on her saucer before anyone noticed.

"I think I will be sitting in on some classes from now on, Cassandra, thank you." The redhead was pleased her ideas were going over well with the former Headmistress. She wasn't sure who to ask about outside security experts, but she definitely would be starting with that candidate everyone was abuzz about.

As far as intrusion with future governors went... the redhead watched the back and forth between the Board's secretary and its president and cleared her throat. "I'm... okay with the level of involvement we've had this year, I guess," she said, unsure of what the right answer was here. Depended on who she wanted on her side, apparently. "I wouldn't mind having Governor support for our big events throughout the term, such as the feasts, graduation, quidditch events, fundraisers, extracurriculars like that... but I don't think it's necessary to have the Governors popping in and out every week, either."

Certainly not as much as they had been this year. "The staff would probably appreciate a... lighter touch, in their own classrooms," she added with a polite, yet firm, nod.