Catalog of Sample Policies for Pennsylvania's Conservation Districts

Board Governance Policy
(Stanford Community Cooperative)

The Board will approach its task emphasizing leadership more than administrative detail, clear distinction of Board and staff roles, future rather than past or present, and proactivity rather than reactivity. In this spirit, the Board will:

• Focus chiefly on intended long-term impacts (i.e., Ends), not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those ends.
• Lead the Center through the careful establishment of broad policies addressing Ends (organizational products, benefits, impacts, outcomes), Executive Limitations (constraints on executive authority and decision making), Governance Process (Board roles and responsibilities), and Executive Director--Board relationship (delegation of authority and monitoring its proper use).
• Enforce upon itself the discipline necessary to govern responsibly and effectively.
• Be accountable as a body for competent, conscientious and effective accomplishment of its obligation.
• Monitor and regularly discuss its own process and performance, and insure the continuity of Board improvements.