Three Necessary Skills to Govern Tobi Lyon Moore

Three Necessary Skills to Govern Tobi Lyon Moore, MBA, CAE, CFRE Executive Director ANA-Michigan and Wyoming

Governing is About Relationships 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Relationship of the Board: – To the membership – Management team – To each other

Governing vs Managing 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Governing is NOT Managing. Seeing to it that the organization achieves what it should and avoids unacceptable situations. A working board brings project management under their wing. But project management is not governing; it is an operational function.

Governing vs. Managing 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Outside (Plan) Clarity of Purpose Work ON the Enterprise Outside (Check) Take Action Analyze Parts Work IN the Enterprise Link to Deliverables and Outcomes Check ON the Enterprise

Leadership and Governing 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE The primary role of leaders is Planning and Change. Governing always holds the whole organization as primary and the parts secondary.

Three Necessary Skills to Govern 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE 1. Linking with the “Members as Owners” 2. Board Process • Discipline and behaviors that demonstrate accountability to each other, to the members and to the staff. 3. Well-planned sessions

2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE

Role of a Governing Board 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Membership Linkage – actually linking with members through listening and reporting out. Policy Develeopment – responsible for its own development, job design, discipline, and performance. Articulate the mission of the organization and sustain the vision. Assurance of organizational performance from an arm’s length position. Link with external environment.

Role of the Chair 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Assuring integrity of the governing process Spokesperson to outside parties, representing the single voice of the board Create an environment where people get energized, not burned out

Board Process 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Board work is a TEAM process A sharing of thought process, NOT simply getting through an agenda Disciplined dialogue Your job in group process

Accountability 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE The Board needs to find a way to govern coherently and accountably. – Develop the courage to hold itself AND each Board member accountable in the process

The Board Meetings 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE BORED OR BOARD IT’S UP TO YOU?

Well-Planned Sessions 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Create an active agenda to focus on, rather than a passive agenda. – The board has only about 24 -36 hours per year to do its entire job. Orchestrate the agenda to achieve a dynamic exchange of ideas and deliberation.

Well-Planned Sessions 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE Separate your governing agenda from your project management agenda. Recommendations: – Use a consent agenda – Allow time for board education, thinking, analysis and dialogue – Board self-assessment – If a report can be put in writing, do so. Read the reports prior to the meeting and only discuss exceptions.

Approval of the Agenda Consent Agenda “Batched” items that are non-controversial, routine, and do not need conversation. All items in writing and must be read in advance of the meeting. Board Capacity-Building Discussion/Board Education Financial Statements Action Items Things that need to be voted on that require discussion. Our Future Positioning Learning/discussion about an issue critical to the future, as determined by the Board’s annual work plan/strategic plan. Operational Concerns Tracking progress with strategic plan Update from staff Project management from committees or councils The Board does NOT approve committee or staff reports. Board Self-Assessment Announcements Adjournment

Board’s Annual Plan 2015 PRESIDENTS IMMERSION COURSE What is the impact/results we wish to make this year because we are doing the right work as a board? What critical issues do we choose as our priority topic for exploration this year that will impact our members or the organization? What standards of service do we need to address this year to improve our relationship with our membership? What do we need to learn from our members as owners this year to assure that we are in alignment with their values? At the end of the year, how will we know that we were successful in governing this year? What will be our metrics? What governing/leadership competencies do we need to build muscle in to improve our governance capability as a group authority?