Mission-Driven Boards

Creating the Perfect Team

Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums

Laramie, WyomingMay 14, 2010

Debra Beck, EdD

Boards: The Bottom Line They GOVERN

Define, protect, advance vision & mission Hold ultimate organizational responsibility

Resources Credibility

Act as boundary-spanners Need chance to grow in effectiveness

Board Practice Community

Focus

Focus-Vision Vision: future you want to create

For whom? For what? Why? NEVER about your organization ALWAYS about your community

Focus-Vision A hypothetical example:

“The vision of XYZ Agency is a community where everyone has a safe place to live”

Focus-Mission

Mission: Fulfilling the vision Grounded in vision Your niche Clearly defined, articulated, visible Infused in governance work Rallying point

Focus-Mission

Continuing our hypothetical example:

“The vision of XYZ Agency is a community where everyone has a safe place to live. To bring that vision into reality, we provide emergency housing for families and individuals.”

Focus-Values

Values: tools to accomplish vision, through mission Drive all actions, decisions. e.g.:

Bottom line in hiring Limits re: donations accepted How interact with others How define, monitor accountability

Focus-Values

Completing our example:

“To accomplish our vision, the following values need to be present in our community and in our organization: Compassion Collaborative spirit Trust A holistic approach to problem-solving Integrity Transparency…”

People

People Committed to vision, mission

values See fit w/personal missions, interests See a role in advancing organization

Committed to governance work Takes time, focus, leadership

People Intellectual curiosity

Able to step outside comfort zone Willing to explore Willing to research

Clarity about why they are there Skills, perspectives, connections, etc.

People Willingness to be boundary-

spanners, ambassadors Breadth, depth of connections, credibility Board members willing to share museum

story, needs, etc. Bring back stakeholder feedback

Practice

Practice Agenda

Mission-driven Governance (not management) focused Efficient handling of routine tasks, reports

Leadership Expect it, value situational/expertise

Practice Information

What they need, when they need it Delivered in ways they prefer Expect them to come prepared

No opening packet at meeting!

Practice Learning

Infused in board work (many forms) Peer learning recognized as powerful

source Accessible resources Periodic ‘special’ opportunities

Training Experiential learning experiences

Practice Questions

Should be catalytic Should be encouraged Should be built into work Don’t rush!

Collegial environment Respect, trust, shared responsibility

Practice ED/board relationship

Acknowledge the partnership Value it Build from it

Talk about it Identify roles, individual strengths, etc.

Impact - Act Now

Impact - Focus

Vision, mission values –everywhere! Feature ‘mission moment’ in meeting

Expand real-world understanding

Hold accountable for stewardship of vision, mission in & out of boardroom

Impact - People

Recruitment processes that are vision- and mission-driven …and lead to board members who

support them

Identify needs before you seek Use them to drive recruitment

Impact - Practice

Focus agendas on governance Find accessible ways to provide info, in

timely way, for good decisions Create time for group reflection Value learning as integral to

governance

Questions?

E-mail: npmaven@earthlink.netTwitter: @npmaven

Blog: http://laramieboardlearningproject.blogspot.comWiki: http://boardpracticecommunities.wikispaces.comPosterous: http://npmaven.posterous.com/