GOVERNANCE: A New Perspective on Being a Governor Keith Seel, PhD

Beginning Thought Bethany believes that governance and accountability are about more than prudence with fiscal resources. Bethany sees its advocacy role as fundamental to governance of the community by the community. It sees its accountability rooted in the community which it is historically committed to serve. If the focus of governance and accountability of authorities, boards and commissions is predominantly defined by financial considerations such as effective/efficient delivery of public services, accountability to the community may well be compromised. The question immediately arises, “if authorities, boards and commissions are to serve primarily as governors of service delivery, who governs communities? (Bethany Care Society, 2000, p. 3, emphasis in original).

Introductions Describe the journey that has brought you to your understanding of governance.?

Governance Survey Governance is…. Disagree Strongly Agree Strongly 1. to sway, rule, influence a person, people or an organization 123DK 2. to direct and control a person, people, group or organization with the authority of a superior 123DK 3. to direct, guide, or regulate the conduct of a person, people, group or organization 123DK 4. an activity that has as its goal protection of the public interest 123DK 5. leadership 123DK 6. a decision making vehicle 123DK 7. a means by which the interests of an organization are protected 123DK 8. an activity that actively bridges an organization with the broader community 123DK 9. focused on the future more than the present 123DK 10. depends on who the funder is 123DK

You must have chaos inside you to give birth to a dancing star. Nietzsche

Overview  Agenda  Global Governance Model  The governance context – current issues  Roles of the Board  Fiduciary responsibilities  Strategic responsibilities  Generative responsibilities

Global Governance Model Organizational focus Community focus Fiduciary Accountability Strategic Responsibility Generative Obligation Governance Seel, 2007

Current Governance Issues  Complexity  Multiplicity – relationships, accountabilities, responsibilities, obligations, perspectives  Sustainability  Protection or Transformation  Succession  Governance  Tensions arising from different beliefs  Boundary spanning

Global Governance Model FiduciaryStrategicGenerative Seel, 2007

The Fiduciary Role - Review The Fiduciary Role Basic Legal duties Basic Business oversight Audit Legal oversight

Levels of Accountability  Acts  Articles of Association/ Incorporation  Bylaws  Policy Time to change Difficulty to change

Governance as a Bus Fiduciary Responsibilities:  Oversight of audits, budgets, investments, compensation, facilities, fundraising, executive performance  Use resources effectively in the service of the mission  Serve interests of organization

Community Development Question We have been talking about the fiduciary roles of governors on a board. Let’s think about this role from a community perspective. What are the fiduciary responsibilities of the organization to community?  What are the duties of the organization?  How are they carried out?

Problem: Fiduciary Fixation To be sure compliance is important, but in our view it represents nothing more than the lowest common denominator of sound governance, a corporate version of the Hippocratic oath: “Above all, do no harm.” Nadler, Behan, & Nadler, 2006, p.4

Global Governance Model FiduciaryStrategicGenerative Seel, 2007

Strategic Role Identifying environmental Conditions and changes Understanding Internal weaknesses And strengths Understanding impact On mission and vision  ensuring  relevance  focus  effectiveness viz. purpose  ensuring program goals advance mission  ensuring organization’s future programs will continue to advance mission Strategic Role

Identifying environmental Conditions and changes Understanding Internal weaknesses And strengths Understanding impact On mission and vision  presumes a relevant and established mission  review of environment:  financial  political  social  sector  understanding internal operations Strategic Role

Governance as a Bus Strategic Responsibilities  Shift from “conformance” to “performance” thinking  Aligning internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats to maximize impact  Achieve the mission/vision

Community Development Question We have been talking about the strategic governance responsibilities of governors of boards of directors. If you were someone in the community, how might you view your organization. What are the strategic governance responsibilities of the organization to community?

Governance as a Bus Using the door to gain a different perspective on the organization.

Change the Metaphor Governance is the vehicle by which an organization achieves its mission. Governance is also the vehicle by which a community becomes what it should be for its citizens.

Generative Governance The board…  Reflective learners  Source of leadership  Discern problems  Engage in sense making  Problems to be framed (v. spotted or solved)  Want to know the key questions Chait, Ryan & Taylor, 2005, p. 132

Generative Governance Generative governance does not come with a clear cut definition. It develops as the board gives itself the time to have conversations and dialogues about the “meaningfulness” of the organization in the broader community.

Generative Governance  About bringing something new into place  About working at boundaries  Goals are often ambiguous, even contested… it is the process to understand that matters.  The future is uncertain… it offers opportunities and challenges.  Meaning matters… based on facts not on personal desire

Community Development Question We have been talking about the generative governance responsibilities of governors of boards of directors. What are the generative governance responsibilities of the organization to community?

Global Governance Model Organizational focus Community focus FiduciaryStrategicGenerative Governance Seel, 2007

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