Strategic Governance Improving Board Effectiveness

Now more than ever, Credit Union Boards need to be at a strategic level and focused on the future. There are significant opportunities and challenges ahead as the volunteer structure of leadership faces increased liability, succession planning and new business models while an ever increasing regulatory presence impacts decision making. How is your organization preparing its volunteers to govern in this reset economy and regulatory environment?

There is a widely misunderstood difference between governance and management that has led to significant role confusion and ineffective Board/CEO performance. Ineffective systems prevent highly effective people from peak performance. Steve explains the difference between governance and management in a way that makes it easy to understand and he demonstrates principles that can increase Board/CEO effectiveness.

With over 30 years of cumulative Board and Board Chair experience and 23 years of CEO experience, Steve has worked with a full range of Boards and a full range of effectiveness. He has been trained by John and Miriam Carver in the Policy Governance® model and has used the model in several organizations as well as his Credit Union. While full adoption of that model is an option, he advocates first for good governance practices.

Steve can identify pitfalls that lead to frustration and ineffective performance and provide practices to eliminate and avoid them. This can lead to a more rewarding and effective Board/CEO team performance, enhance the relationship experience, and more importantly, improve organizational performance.

These concepts are explored and developed:

• Differences  between governance and management and who is responsible for each

• Adequate and proper control, delegation, and monitoring by the Board

• Role clarity for Board members, Officers, CEO, and Management Staff

• Simplified policy development

• Improved accountability

• Shorter and more effective board meetings