Boards that Matter: Building Blocks for Implementing Coherent Governance' and Policy Governance'

This book clears the smoke for boards faced with the challenge to make their governing model, either Policy Governance® or Coherent Governance® , work in real life. Boards of directors thoughtfully engage in the exciting work of developing new policies and adopting their new governing model, then immediately confront reality: how does the board actually put the new model into motion and allow it to deliver on its promise of excellent board performance? Boards That Matter is a practical guide that takes the mystery out of that process. It is a book that is loaded with down-to-earth solutions, all based on processes successfully in use today by boards across the United States and internationally. Although many of the examples offered in the book come from the world of public school boards and non-profit boards of various types, the implementation processes are equally applicable to boards of all types. The challenge of governing a complex organization is difficult enough in itself, without layering on top of that challenge the struggle to make the board's own operating system seem natural and meaningful. The authors draw from their combined 60-plus years of experience in working with public and non-profit boards, including work with hundreds of boards using both Policy Governance® and Coherent Governance®, as they present their insight about how to use the models effectively. Their easily-understood implementation strategies for helping real boards deal with real issues, and doing it through faithful utilization of their new governing tools, makes this a continuing reference source for boards as they translate theory into practice.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: A Word About Governing Models Chapter 2: Rolling Out Your Model Chapter 3: Monitoring Governance Culture and Board-CEO Relations Policies Chapter 4: Monitoring Operational Expectations Policies Chapter 5: Monitoring Results Policies Chapter 6: Evaluating the CEO in this New Governing Environment Chapter 7: Stakeholder Dialog Chapter 8: Building an Effective Board Work Plan Chapter 9: Building a New Board Meeting Agenda Chapter 10: Change: It's a Leadership Conundrum Chapter 11: Now What? Chapter 12 Appendix A: Operational Expectation Monitoring Reports Chapter 13 Appendix B: Results Monitoring Reports Chapter 14 Appendix C: Dialogue Chapter 15 Appendix D: Agendas

About the Author :
Randy Quinn and Linda J. Dawson co-founded the Aspen Group International in 1993 following careers that combine to total over 65 years of service to governing boards of education entities and other non-profit organizations. They since have consulted with boards in most of the 50 states and others on three continents, including the countries of Morocco, Singapore, Korea, Borneo, Canada and Mexico. Their long careers of work with governing boards of all types, with dominant focus on Policy Governance and Coherent Governance, have provided the basis for this insightful and common-sense library of strategies for effective implementation of these governing models.

Review :
Having a governance system in place is as necessary to a school board as the Constitution was to our founding fathers; it is the framework upon which everything rests. This book will be an invaluable tool to any board looking to improve its governance structure and the performance of its organization. At last, a book about board governance that is clear, practical, and free of jargon. This is a must read book for board members and CEOs working to implement either Coherent Governance® or Policy Governance®. Linda Dawson and Randy Quinn deliver clear, direct descriptions of successful practice that boards and administrators need to effectively implement Coherent Governance® or Policy Governance®. Having implemented the models in two school districts, I know that at times boards and administrators struggle to translate sound theory into every-day implementation. In order to govern with excellence, all boards must commit to the 'pick and shovel' work of ongoing monitoring. These pages share the deep wisdom borne of the authors' long practice in support of boards. Practical, time-tested advice, coupled with real examples of the mechanics of monitoring all four types of policies, will help committed boards govern effectively. As a legal advisor to family owned businesses, I am convinced that families embracing Coherent Governance® for their family businesses would establish a platform to ensure their success for generations to come. This book provides valuable tools to adapt Coherent Governance® to the family business world. Boards That Matter is a no-nonsense, 'wheels on the pavement' road map to the elimination of indecision, development of clarity, and accomplishment of desired outcomes. As a result of the implementation of Coherent Governance®, our school district is now much more aligned and effective. The board, superintendent, central office staff, and school leaders all are focused on supporting classroom instruction and raising student achievement. Board meetings and work sessions are run more efficiently and are also focused on policy-level issues and results. Our district has embraced the increased focus on and accountability for results, which has already helped us raise student academic proficiency. Now that we are in our second year of Coherent Governance®, I cannot imagine any other governance system being better for our district or community. Coherent Governance® has improved transparency, accountability and clearly established 'rules of the road.' I would never go back to our former way of board work. Nikkei Concerns and the community we serve have reached a critical juncture in our evolution. The work processes recommended in this book have created a structure and process for the board and staff to work optimally, with clarity that allows us to achieve our defined 'results'!