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."
RESOURCES:
Resources: Essential books on Carver Policy Governance
Official Web Site: CarverGovernance.com
Resources: The Carver Model of Policy Governance - a presentation at the 2000 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, with copies of many handouts, including articles, policies, etc. Even an email discussion list for UU congregations working on policy governance!
Article: Ends and Means by John Carver - especially about congregation boards
More Articles: From the UUA's collection of resources
Update: Policy Governance for Church Boards - a summary of a panel presentation at the UU General Assembly 2002
Samples: Governing Documents from several UU congregations using Policy Governance
Article: Does the Carver Policy Governance Model Work? A Yes and a No
Article: Carver's Policy Governance® Model in Nonprofit
Organizations by John Carver and Miriam Carver - a PDF file, requires (free) Adobe Acrobat to open
Article: Policy Governance® Principles by Jannice (Jan) Moore
Article: Policy Governance Board (Carver model) overview -- includes a critique
Article: A Brief Overview from Miriam Carver Consulting
Related Concept: Servant-Leadership
Posted on July 2, 2002 08:10 AM