Northwest Community College Board of Governors Skill Development Workshop Terrace, B.C.

1. Northwest Community College Board of Governors Skill Development Workshop Terrace, B.C. June 9 – 10, 2011 Facilitator: Dr. H. J. (Tom) Thompson

2. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session One • June 9th 9:00 am – 10:30 am • “The Magnificent Seven Skills of Governance I”

3. The Magnificent Seven Skills of Governance • STEWARDSHIP • EMPOWER • LEADING • DELEGATE • DIRECT • ACCOUNTABLE • INFORMED

4. STEWARDSHIP • The Board stands between the owners and the administration. This is consistent with the legal concept in corporate governance that the directors are “stewards” of the corporation (organization), separate from administration.

5. EMPOWER • The Board’s role is to exercise the authority granted by the owners and properly empower administration to carry out the operational activities necessary to achieve the ends on behalf of the owners.

6. LEADING • The Board’s leadership includes developing policies which set clear direction as to what ends are to be achieved and for which beneficiaries.

7. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session Two • June 9th 10:45 am – 12:15 pm • “The Magnificent Seven Skills of Governance II”

8. DELEGATE • Prior to delegating the achievement of the ends to the administration, the Board must set clear boundaries of prudence, performance and ethics within which the administration may choose appropriate means.

9. DIRECT • Policy governance provides a systemic approach for the Board to create wise policies. Hence, the administration has only the amount of power that the Board chooses to delegate.

10. ACCOUNTABLE • To demonstrate accountability to the owners, the Board must monitor performance and ends systematically and rigorously based on expectations previously stated in policy.

11. INFORMED • The Board informs itself with expert external opinion from key publics, future perspectives, and other background information to enhance the quality of its deliberations.

12. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session Three • June 9th 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm • “The Fundamentals I”

13. Effective Boards • Your Responses: • Provide broad framework for admin • Set the vision; have a forward focus • Approve long-range plans • Generate support for; promote the college • Monitor vision, policy/procedure • Hire and support quality President • Ensure fiscal responsibility

14. Vision and Outcomes • The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. VISION will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do WHATEVER IT TAKESto achieve excellence. Only VISION allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human actions and behaviours. VISIONhas no boundaries and knows no limits. Our VISION is what we become in life. • Your VISION is what inspires your organization. • No EXCUSES, no EXPLANATIONS. Do what you do!

16. Focus • Governance as Stewardship • Catalytic Leadership • Market Orientation • Be Number One or Two • Vibrant Learning Community • Innovative Programs and Research • Infrastructure for Connectivity • The Resources to Ensure the Above!

17. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session Four • June 9th 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm • “The Fundamentals II”

18. SharedLeadership • The governance act of a Board, in concert with the administration, whereby the Board facilitates the development and ensures the implementation of the organization’s vision and outcomes.

19. The Stewardship Pyramid Dr. H. J. (Tom) Thompson

20. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session Five • June 10th 9:00 am – 10:30 am • “What Does the Board Member Bring to the Table?”

21. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge • See the “Big Picture” • Entrepreneurial • Enthusiastic and Industrious • Loyal, Amicable, Co-operative

22. Skills, Abilities and Knowledge, (Cont’d) • Protective • Defensive • Winner • A Steward!

23. Policy Governance Skill Development • Session Six • June 10th 10:45 am – 12:15 pm • “Governance as Stewardship Fundamentals”

24. Fundamentals • Role and Responsibilities of Trustee • Values, Vision, Mission, Outcomes • Chairperson and President Relationship • Governance Process-based Agenda • Monitoring and Divisional Performance

25. Fundamentals, (Cont’d) • External Relationship Building • Standing Committee Structure • Continuous Quality Improvement • Education and Training Schedule • Annual Policy and By-Law Review

26. Stewardship Every Board of Governors has its own unique set of dispositions, gifts, skills, talents, and OPPORTUNITIES. What they all have in common; however, is the ability to apply DISCIPLINE in controlling what they do with those dispositions, gifts, skills, and talents when OPPORTUNITIESarise.

27. Concluding Comments • The Practice of Shared Leadership is Foundational to Board Effectiveness, Stewardship, and Generative Thinking • Effective Boards are Robust and Accountable • The Factors of Education and Training, Human Capital Composition, and the President’s Competency are Significant Influencers of Board Effectiveness • Divisional Performance Reflects the Practice of Shared Leadership

28. Thank You • Dr. H. J. (Tom) Thompson • President, Olds College • tthompson@oldscollege.ca • (403) 556-8301 • www.thompsonongovernance.com