Policy Governance

Jan Maggini, Moderator

Mike Stearns, Trustee Perspective

Tim Nelson, President Perspective

July, 2009

Definition of Policy Governance

• Policy Governance is an approach to the job of governing that emphasizes values, vision, empowerment of both board and staff, and the strategic ability to lead leaders.

Comparison

Traditional Board vs. Policy Governance Board

Four Types of Policies

•Ends•Executive Limitations•Governance Process•Board-President-Community Relations

Ends

The board defines which human needs are to be met, for whom, and at what cost.

Long term perspective and mission related

Board’s long-range planning

GRCC Ends

• Community Outreach• Developmental Education• Diversity• Entrance & Transfer• Flexible Learning• Lifelong Learning• Workforce Development

Executive Limitations

The Board establishes the boundaries of acceptability within which the President can responsibly operate.

Governance Process

The Board defines its philosophy, its accountability, and specifies of its own job.

Board-President-Community Relations

The Board clarifies: how it will delegate authority to the President

how it will evaluate the President’s performance based on ends and executive limitations

how it will interact with the internal and external community

Clear Direction to the President

Organizational outcomes (goals) are defined (Ends)

Values and priorities are addressed (Ends)

Values and perspectives of the ownership community are expressed (Ends)

Clear Direction to the President

continued… Constraints on operating methods are

defined (Executive Limitations)

Worries or concerns are addressed (Executive Limitations)

Any other operational choices not covered in policy are left to the President.

President and Organizational Accountability

Clear authority is passed to the President so that nothing stands in his/her way of accomplishing what the Board directs.

The Board formally monitors the President and organizational performance with data-based evidence to assure that its policies are being carried out.

Board Accountability

The board recognizes its rightful role of representing the interests of the owner community, not the operational organization.

In order to fulfill this role, the board purposefully links with the community to understand its values and perspectives. (Strategic Conversations, Community Conversations, And Community Breakfasts)

Board Accountabilitycontinued...

Board job description defines the unique value-added role that the Board and the Board alone is qualified to fulfill.

The Board monitors its compliance with its own policies concerning its job and its relationship with the President.

Agendas and Meetings

Board meetings, and agendas, center on the value added work of the board, not on operational minutiae.

A process exists for bringing diverse perspectives in informed decisions through healthy dialog and deliberation.

Meetings may or may not be shorter, but they are almost always more focused and more substantive.

Proactive Policy Development

A complete set of policies are developed that cover anything the Board feels is important.

A formal process of developing policy is followed resulting in policy that is clear and serves as a useable reference for decisions and behavior.

New policy development is automatically triggered when

increased understanding, unforeseen events, or new

community concerns or desires are not covered within

current policy. (i.e. Academic Freedom)

Policy is continually tested and updated through monitoring

and review. (i.e. Retreats)

Ends Drive the Organization

Instead of deriving our purpose from what we do, our purpose defines what we must do.

The Ends (which answer the questions of “What benefits, for Which Recipients, at What Justifiable Value) spell out what the College is to achieve.

The President then determines what the College needs to be and do in order to realize the purpose.

Steps in Governance Evolution

A board recognizes that there is a better way to deliver on the College’s purpose for existing, its value to the community, and the important role that excellent governance plays.

After education and exploration, the board determines if Policy Governance® seems to fit.

A sample Policy Manual is developed.

Steps in Governance Evolution

continued… The board votes to implement Policy

Governance.

The board begins governing by the new policies it has developed.

Each year the board renews its understanding and commitment through education and orientation.

Over time, the methods, processes, and structures of governing with Policy Governance become “the culture”.

GRCC Website

www.grcc.edu

Select Board of Trustees from “Quick Reference” list and select Board Policies

from Menu on the left.

QUESTIONS