Effective Catholic school governance requires the preparation, empowerment and collaboration of the community it serves. Governance with full participation of the laity is the key to the future of Catholic schools. The National Congress for Catholic Schools for the 21st Century made the two statements printed above as part of the final conclusions from that assembly. The directional statement "to establish governance structures which give all those committed to the Catholic school’s mission the power and responsibility to achieve it," challenges Catholic school educators to create boards that would make a difference.