Policies for promoting effective governance in governing bodies

Policies for promoting effective governance in governing bodies

05 Governing the organisation
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Policies for promoting effective governance in governing bodies
  • Develop board member role descriptions that are distinct from management and staff responsibilities.
  • Develop values statements for the board, management and staff regarding their roles and responsibilities.
  • Hold some private board meetings without staff in attendance, to allow for more open discussion.
  • Make policies that enable your governing body to draw on independent external expertise and advice.
  • Have the chair or an executive committee set agendas for board meetings so meetings are not only focused on management and its priorities.
  • Provide short, accessible background information for any matters you intend to bring up in a board meeting.
  • Define the skill sets board members need to have. Actively look for people to fill skill gaps and give existing board members the opportunity for professional development.
  • Focus on orientation and training for new board members.
  • Develop procedures for routine evaluation (and self-evaluation) of board performance.
  • Use mentors or management support to achieve more effective chairmanship, if needed.