Most boards, and board members, are very busy. A board member’s time may be his or her most valuable contribution to an organization. Policy Governance® may be the most valuable investment to maximize the value of board members' contributions to the organization so it can make a difference in the community.

If the board agenda includes the typical reports regarding last month’s finances, past staff endeavors and program activities, board members contributions are not being maximized. Looking backward will not help a board lead the organization. A backward-looking agenda encourages a board to second-guess or approve management decisions that have already been made.

Policy Governance will precisely define the relationship between the board, the CEO, and the staff. This definition of the board-staff relationship will allow the board to focus on what difference the organization should make in the community while allowing the CEO and the staff to focus on achieving the results that make that desired difference a reality.

The board is accountable and responsible for every decision made every day throughout the entire organization. With the Policy Governance model boards will be able to determine if the desired results are being accomplished within the limits established by the board. From a director’s liability standpoint this is essential.

The model also helps to define the board-staff roles so there will be total accountability for the decisions made at every level in the organization. Some board members and certain committees expose the entire board to liability by stepping in and trying to do portions of the staff’s job. Those actions also dilute the authority of the CEO and the board.

The Policy Governance model provides an approach that maximizes the positive impact of the board of directors. If the board is busy doing the staff’s work perhaps it is time to learn about another approach. A one-day training session on Policy Governance will allow boards to focus on leading rather than managing.