Reinventing Your Board: A Step-By-Step Guide to Implementing Policy Governance

I have not yet completed reading this new edition so this is initial views only. I have closely read and noted changes in a couple of chapters. First impressions are that the language has got less formal and therefore the book is greatly more readable, and less formidable for the first time serious investigator of governance and Policy Governance. Secondly the years between the first edition and this one has seen some maturing of Policy Governance and this shows in the book with an increased clarity around the description of the theory, and a much improved, and more complete description of ways to implement the model, and much more detail around those practical steps... the chapter on Monitoring Organisational Performance is just so hugely more intelligible in this edition. It is so pleasing to see an update of this outstanding book. This is a very worthwhile addition to your governance library whether you are a Policy Governance afficiando or not!

This book is designed to help boards implement the Policy Governance(r) model in their board of directors. Step-by-step instructions for how to write your first set of explicit policy statements--ends, staff limitations, board staff linkage, and board process. Some organizations have been able to implement Policy Governance using this book without the help of consulting services. Others have used this with the help of a consultant. Practical, clear, usable.

Although its style is more academic than members of many all-volunteer organizations might wish, this book is short enough to be read on a board member's tight schedule, and pithy enough to provide ideas that can truly give a new perspective on problems in the board meeting. Carver makes it clear that board leadership is best when it distinguishes between ends and means, and that governance (and the highest satisfaction for board members) lies in articulating ends and the route to those ends. This book, for me, answered the question of why organizations might not get a lot done despite diligent meeting schedules and full agendas.

Twenty years of working at CEO for a Board governed organization with 500 members. Numerous Board training seminars and this is the most practical counsel I have received. It is a hands on book, providing a model that will work for your organization.