Course Syllabus

Introduction

In "Nine Steps to Implementing Policy Governance" (CarverGuide 1, 1996, p.20), Carver and Carver state in Step 1, "Be sure that board members and the CEO understand the model. Without good theory, actions aren’t as meaningful and don’t cohere. Until a board fully grasps the ideas and philosophy of the new technology of governance, implementation will be like putting new wine into old bottles." As new members come into the system of a board, perpetuation of the theory and an understanding of the developmental stage that brought the organization to adopt the Policy Governance^SM model are important if the model is to continue into the second and third generation of board leadership.

Carver and Carver state, "But make no mistake, completing the nine steps above means only that the real governance work can begin. Three efforts will demand the majority of the board time and energy forever. First, the ends will need continual attention in perpetuity. Second, finding ways to gather owners’ input is not easy. Third, sufficient self-evaluation can continue to improve. These three activities are unique leadership tasks, embodying the challenge and the channel for board members to be strategic leaders." Finding a way to assist new board members in understanding governance work and to jump onto the moving train is the focus of this orientation course. It will explore the Policy Mode before the Board members actually experience their first Board meeting.

Program Objectives

This course is designed to:

• Create a discovery process to realize the strengths of Policy Governance,^SM
• Understand systemic applications of the governance model, and
• Get personal commitment to Policy Governance^SM for application in the sponsoring organization.

Program Delivery Vehicle

To fully become inducted to the culture of Policy Governance^SM, a very comprehensive self-training course has been the only vehicle available to date. However, new technology allows for new alternatives in orienting new members to this culture. This course will be delivered through computer-mediated distance learning (CMDL), where all barriers of time and space are eliminated. CMDL, using conferencing software in a private intranet, allows for a facilitated discussion in the process of study. This facilitated discussion is the key to a better understanding of the organization’s application of the Policy Governance^SM Model.

Program Design

This course is designed as a seven week course, plus one week of orientation. Each participant will receive a package of support materials (from the sponsoring CEO) prior to beginning the content of the course. This package will include:

CarverGuides:

1: Basic Principles of Policy Governance

2: Your Roles and Responsibilities as a Board Members

3: Three Steps to Fiduciary Responsibility

8: Board Self-Assessment

9: Making Diversity Meaningful in the Boardroom

10: Strategies for Board Leadership

• "Creating a Single Voice: The Prerequisite to Board Leadership", Board Leadership, Number 2, July-Aug, 1992.
• "Fiduciary Responsibility Confronting the Myth, Creating the Reality through Effective Board Leadership", Board Leadership, Number 6, March-April, 1993.
• "First Things First", Board Leadership, Number 1, May-June, 1992.
• "Evaluating the Mission Statement", Board Leadership, Number 5, Jan-Feb, 1993.
• "Ownership", Board Leadership, Number 18, March-April, 1995
• "Conceptual Wholeness", Board Leadership, Number 39, Sept-Oct, 1998

The topic for each week is supported with a brief E-lecture orienting the new board member to the week’s assignments which can be printed at the Director’s personal printer. The Director completes the assigned activity with the "home" organization, reviewing documents created by the current board, then comes back to the forum for discussion about what was observed and/or discovered.

In summary: Theory on the Carver Model will be presented in the readings assigned weekly. The strengths of the Carver Model will be highlighted through facilitated discussion. Illustrations of application will be discovered through activity assignments. Application of the Carver Model in other settings will be highlighted throughout in brief E-lectures and facilitated discussion.

Support Tools

Other materials include:

Empowering Boards for Leadership by John Carver, audiocassette published by Jossey-Bass Publishers, Inc, 1990.

John Carver on Board Governance, A Video Presentation published by Jossey-Bass Publishers, Inc, 1993.

The sponsoring CEO will receive a curriculum guide and set up the documents that the participant will need throughout the course. The CEO will also receive a discussion guide which will alert the CEO to the areas for discussion during a given week. CEOs also have the option to participate in the on-line discussion.

Proposed Prices

Computer-Mediated Distance Learning Course

Option 1 - Introductory price for 1-4 persons from a specific organization—$350.00/person for an eight-week curriculum, including one-week orientation to the distance learning environment.

Option 2 - 5 or more persons from a specific organization—Discounts to be negotiated.

Option 3 - 8 or more persons from a specific organization—Customized for the organization and a negotiated price.

Option 4 - Other learning options will be developed after the computer-mediated distance learning course is well established.