GOVERNANCE: A New Perspective on Being a Governor

Keith Seel, PhD kseel@mtroyal.ca 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