GOVERNANCE: A New Perspective on Being a Governor Keith Seel, PhD [email protected]...
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Transcript of GOVERNANCE: A New Perspective on Being a Governor Keith Seel, PhD [email protected]...
GOVERNANCE: A New Perspective on Being a Governor
Keith Seel, PhD [email protected] 403-440-7055
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 1 2 3 DK
2. to direct and control a person, people, group or organization with the authority of a superior
1 2 3 DK
3. to direct, guide, or regulate the conduct of a person, people, group or organization
1 2 3 DK
4. an activity that has as its goal protection of the public interest
1 2 3 DK
5. leadership 1 2 3 DK
6. a decision making vehicle 1 2 3 DK
7. a means by which the interests of an organization are protected
1 2 3 DK
8. an activity that actively bridges an organization with the broader community
1 2 3 DK
9. focused on the future more than the present 1 2 3 DK
10. depends on who the funder is 1 2 3 DK
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 ModelOrganizational 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
Fiduciary Strategic Generative
Seel, 2007
The Fiduciary Role - Review
Legaloversight
Audit
BasicBusinessoversight
BasicLegalduties
TheFiduciary
Role
Levels of Accountability
Acts
Articles of Association/
Incorporation
Bylaws
PolicyTime 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 QuestionWe 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
Fiduciary Strategic Generative
Seel, 2007
Strategic Role
Identifying environmentalConditions and changes
UnderstandingInternal weaknesses
And strengths
Understanding impactOn 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
Strategic Role
Identifying environmentalConditions and changes
UnderstandingInternal weaknesses
And strengths
Understanding impactOn 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 ResponsibilitiesStrategic 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 QuestionWe 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 QuestionWe 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 ModelOrganizational focus
Community focus
Fiduciary Strategic Generative
Governance
Seel, 2007
Free Resource
http://www.mtroyal.ca/wcm/groups/public/documents/pdf/npr07_goverguide.pdf