1. An Brief Orientation to Policy Governance

2. Policy Governance – What is It?
Policy Governance is an approach to the task of governing that emphasizes values, vision, servant-leadership, accountability and empowerment of both the Board and the Administrator.

3. Policy Governance
Policy Governance is a precise, coherent model of governance that incorporates:
Clear underlying philosophy
Foundational principles
Operational structures and processes

4. Philosophy
Organizations such as WASBO exist for a specific set of purposes
WASBO Purposes are determined by its Owners (members)
The Board serves as a trustee body for the ownership
The Board’s primary task is to see to it that WASBO achieves the purposes identified by the owners
The Board is responsible to see to it that those purposes are achieved in a manner that avoids unacceptable situations and reflects the values and principles of the ownership

5. Guiding Principles #1. The Trust in Trusteeship
#2. Board as One Voice or Not at ALL
#3. Board Decisions are Policy Decisions
#4. Boards set Policy from Broadest Values
#5. Define and Delegate rather than React and Ratify
#6. Ends Determination is the Pivotal Duty of
Governance (Ends Policies)
#7. Board’s Best Control Over Exec. Dir. Means is to Limit,
not Prescribe (Executive Limitations Policies)
#8. Board must Explicitly Design its own Products and
Processes (Governance Process Policies)
#9. Board must Forge a Linkage with Exec. Dir. that is both
Empowering and Safe (Board/Staff Relations Policies)
#10. Performance of the Exec. Dir. must be Monitored Rigorously,
but Only against Policy Criteria

6. Structure – Board Work Linkages with Ownership and Environment
Policy Development
Monitoring Achievement of Purposes
Evaluating the Executive Director
Board Self Evaluation
Ongoing Board Development

7. Structure – Policy Types
Ends (the Board established outcomes for WASBO)
Executive Limitations (Parameters of the Executive Director)
Governance Process (Board’s operating structure)
Board/Executive Director Relationship (Defines Board and ED interactions and how they relate to one another)

8. Ends Policies Owner valued outcomes (the End-In-Mind)
Organizational Beliefs
Organizational Vision and Mission

9. Ends Thinking Who are the “owners” of WASBO?
What is the fundamental purpose of WASBO?
What difference(s) will there be because WASBO exits?
For whom will this difference be made?
What is the relative priority of this set of differences?

10. Executive Limitations Policies
Executive limitations are constraints on executive authority that establish prudence and ethical boundaries within which all executive decisions and activities occur. - to avoid prescribing means - to put off-limits those means that would be unacceptable even if they work - to open possibilities for creative solutions - to empower the ED to use and leverage operational expertise

11. Executive Limitations
Global Executive Constraints
Treatment of Staff
Treatment of Members
Financial Planning and Activities
Emergency Executive Director Succession
Asset Protection
Compensation and Benefits
Communication and Support to the Board

12. Board “Means” Policies: Governance Process Board Staff Relations
In two policy areas, Governance Process and Board/Staff Relations, the Board defines in policy its rules of engagement: among its members, with any committees it establishes and with the administrative part of the organization.

13. Governance Process Policies
These policies specify the “How” of the Board – the manner by which the Board conceives, carries out and monitors its own tasks.

14. Governance Process Policies
Global Governance Commitment
Governing Style
Board Job Description
Agenda Planning
Board President Role
Board President-Elect Role
Board Past-President Role
Board Treasurer Role
Board Member Code of Conduct
Board Committees Principles and Structure
Cost of Governance

15. Board Staff Relations Policies
These policies establish how power is delegated and its proper use; includes the Executive Director’s role, authority and accountability.

16. Board/Staff Relationship Policies
Global Governance-Management Connection
Unity of Control
Delegation to the Executive Director
Accountability of the Executive Director
Monitoring Executive Director Performance

17. Monitoring and Evaluation
The Board monitors organizational performance through fair but systematic assessment of whether:
- a reasonable interpretation of its Ends Policies is being achieved
- a reasonable interpretation of its Executive Limitations Policies is being practiced
This constitutes the Executive Directors evaluation

18. Annual Calendar Planning
Linkages (External/Internal)
Monitoring (Ends Achievement/Policy Compliance)
Policy Development/Review
Topical Board Work (Relevant)
Board Self Evaluation
Board Development
Executive Director Evaluation

19. Meeting Agenda Components
Approval of Agenda
Consent Agenda
Operational (Exec. Dir. constructs)
Board routine work
Ownership Linkage
Communication with the External Environment (based on annual plan of work)
Board Development
Targeted Learning (based on annual plan of work)
Policy Discussion
Review/Amend/Add (based on annual plan of work)
Assurance of Operational
Performance
Receipt of Monitoring Reports
Exec. Dir. Interpretation
Justification
Board self-assessment against Policy
Announcements
Adjournment

20. Questions Observations Thoughts