Many religious organizations have adopted Carver Policy Governance® as a model for their boards. The Policy Governance® model is, according to its originators, "the world’s only complete, universal theory of governance—a conceptually coherent paradigm of principles and concepts (not of structure)." It is not simply a quick-fix for part of the organization -- it changes the whole organization. The theory "informs board planning, mission, committee work, agenda control, budgeting, reporting, CEO evaluation, management relationships, fiduciary responsibility, and all other aspects of the board job."

More on the theoretical base of Policy Governance®: CarverGovernance.com

Also a collection of online resources: Policy Governance resources - includes theoretical, practical and even critical articles from a variety of sources

Key resource

Boards That Make a Difference: A New Design for Leadership in Nonprofit and Public Organizations by John Carver

This edition includes not only the original ground-breaking ideas, but updates as well. A paradigm shift in thinking about board roles and processes, the chief goal is to have boards and staff working together towards clearly articulated mission.

Implementing Policy Governance®

These are helpful guides to the practicalities of converting to the Policy Governance® model:

Reinventing Your Board: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Policy Governance by John Carver and Miriam Mayhew Carver (1997)

The Policy Governance Fieldbook, edited by Caroline Oliver, Mike Conduff, Susan Edsall, and John Carver (1999).

Some additional useful resources:

John Carver on Board Leadership by John Carver and Sir Adrian Cadbury (2001).

Basic introductions to Carver Policy Governance® from the Carverguide Series on Effective Board Governance, divided by topic:

1. Basic Principles of Policy Governance by John Carver and Miriam Mayhew Carver (1996)

2. Your Roles and Responsibilities As a Board Member by John Carver and Miriam Mayhew Carver (1996)

3. Three Steps to Fiduciary Responsibility by John Carver (1996)

4. The Chairperson's Role as Servant-Leader to the Board by John Carver

5. Planning Better Board Meetings by John Carver (1996)

6. Creating a Mission That Makes a Difference by John Carver (1997)

7. Board Assessment of the CEO by John Carver (1997)

8. Board Self-Assessment by John Carver (1997)

9. Making Diversity Meaningful in the Boardroom by John Carver (1997)

10. Strategies for Board Leadership by John Carver (1997)

11. Board Members As Fund-Raisers, Advisers, and Lobbyists by John Carver

12. The CEO Role Under Policy Governance by John Carver and Miriam Mayhew Carver (1997)

A set of the CarverGuides is also available.

More on the theoretical base of Policy Governance®: CarverGovernance.com

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