Making Sense: Generating Better Board Decisions
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Dottie Schindlinger, VP of Governance Technology Evangelist at BoardEffect, presented on reframing issues to generate better board decisions. She discussed three modes of governance - fiduciary, strategic, and generative. Generative thinking helps boards see problems as opportunities. The presentation provided a framework for boards to perform a "sense-maker" role through strategies like establishing norms of respectful inquiry and making executive sessions routine. Attendees were encouraged to join breakout sessions at an upcoming nonprofit conference to further discuss generating better board decisions.
Making Sense: Generating Better Board Decisions
- 1. Making Sense: (Re)Framing Issues to Generate Better Board Decisions Presenter: Dottie Schindlinger, VP & Governance Technology Evangelist, BoardEffect BoardEffect Webinar September 11, 2017 1:00-1:30 PM EDT
- 2. Webinar – General Announcements Webinar lasts 30 minutes & is being recorded Phone lines are muted - please post questions in the Q&A box Recording & slides will be emailed to you after today’s session Join us at Independent Sector’s “Our Common Future” Conference, October Detroit, MI Breakout Session #3: “Generating Better Board Decisions,” Thursday, October 26, 2017, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Breakout Session #4: “Technology Literacy for Sector Leaders,” Thursday, October 26, 2017, 3:15 - 4:45 PM Exhibit Booth - BoardEffect September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. 2
- 3. Secure, cloud-based board management software that drives board efficiency, effectiveness & engagement What Is ? Optimizing Resources Enhancing Board Operations Improving the Board Member’s Experience
- 4. Presenter: Dottie Schindlinger 4 VP & Governance Technology Evangelist Member of BoardEffect’s founding team Thought leader on governance & technology topics Learn more at linkedin.com/in/dschindlinger
- 5. Today’s Agenda 5 Review 3 modes of governance & significance of “generative thinking” Provide a framework to help the board perform the “sense-maker” role September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. Presentation is adapted from "Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Organizations," 2007, Richard Chait, William Ryan, & Barbara Taylor
- 6. TITLE CARD Independent Sector’s Principles for Good Governance & Ethical Practice WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES? The Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice outlines 33 principles of sound practice for charitable organizations and foundations related to legal compliance and public disclosure, effective governance, financial oversight, and responsible fundraising. The Principles should be considered by every charitable organization as a guide for strengthening its effectiveness and accountability. The Principles were developed by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector in 2007 and updated in 2015 to reflect new circumstances in which the charitable sector functions, and new relationships within and between the sectors.
- 7. “ ” In addition to oversight, boards need to provide insight, and, if possible, foresight. − Nancy Axelrod, “Governing for Growth”
- 8. EXECUTIVE GOVERNANCE SHARED GOVERNANCE GOVERNANCE BY DEFAULT GOVERNANCE BY FIAT 8 4 Profiles of GovernanceLEVELOFSTAFFINVOLVEMENT LEVEL OF BOARD ENGAGEMENT September 11, 2017 ©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. Presentation is adapted from "Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Organizations," 2007, Richard Chait, William Ryan, & Barbara Taylor
- 9. QUICK POLL! Governance Profile Please select the option that best describes the governance profile of your board at the present time. September 11, 2017 ©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. Presentation is adapted from "Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Organizations," 2007, Richard Chait, William Ryan, & Barbara Taylor 9
- 10. ORG-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED ROLE Sentinels Strategic Partners to Management Sense Makers MediumLow High 3 Modes Of Exceptional Governance September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. Presentation is adapted from "Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Organizations," 2007, Richard Chait, William Ryan, & Barbara Taylor 10 FIDUCIARY STRATEGIC GENERATIVE
- 11. 11 FIDUCIARY STRATEGIC GENERATIVE Key Question What’s Wrong? What’s the Plan? What’s the Question? Board Focus Define Problems Review Performance Solve Problems Shape Strategy Frame Problems Engage in Sense-making Board Process Parliamentary Procedure Logistical and Empirical Discussion More Informal and Creative Problems Are To Be Spotted Solved Framed Decision Making Resolution Reaching Consensus Framing the Question Board Sees Their Role As Oversight & Authority Strategist Fresh Perspective Performance Metrics Facts, Figures, Finances, Reports Strategic Indicators Competitive Analysis Signs of Learning and Discerning Board Behaviors in Each Mode September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. This slide is excerpted from CentrePointe summary of "Governance As Leadership," July 2009.
- 12. Practice! Reframing Problems Scenario 1: Too many “empty seats” 150 year-old educational organization Same basic set of programs for decades Enrollment – especially from those who pay full price – has been declining steadily for 6 years A large, well-funded competitor has moved into the area and is offering similar programs 12September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved.
- 13. QUICK POLL! Scenario 1: Generative Questions Please select the “Generative” questions from the list below. September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. 13
- 14. Strategies for Generating Better Decisions Empower the Governance Committee Establish norm of “respectful inquiry” Collaborate on building the board’s agenda Allow time for meaningful discussion Make executive sessions more routine Keep an eye out for “generative landmarks” 14September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved.
- 15. Next Steps Recording & slides will be emailed to you after today’s session Join us at Independent Sector’s “Our Common Future” Conference, October Detroit, MI Breakout Session #3: “Generating Better Board Decisions,” Thursday, October 26, 2017, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Breakout Session #4: “Technology Literacy for Sector Leaders,” Thursday, October 26, 2017, 3:15 - 4:45 PM Exhibit Booth - BoardEffect September 11, 2017©2017, BoardEffect, All Rights Reserved. 15