Jewish Community Foundation - San Diego

The two-year GLI curriculum includes group and individual sessions that focus on these principles of excellent governance:

• Establish the mission, vision and values

   

  The organization’s mission statement serves as the guide for planning, making decisions, and setting priorities. The Board is fundamentally responsible for defining the organization’s mission, vision and values. It expresses these in written statements and periodically reviews and updates them for adequacy, accuracy and validity.

• Create effective board structure

   

  Organizational structures ensure congruence between the organization and its structural elements. Exceptional boards invest in structures and practices that can be thoughtfully adapted to changing circumstances. Bylaws include provisions for Board size and term limits to promote effective governance. Committees are established to provide important information to the Board to use for quality decision-making.

• Conduct effective organizational planning and strategic planning

   

  An organization’s leaders govern intentionally, not incidentally, by setting the course, providing direction, and framing and assessing the strategic plan. Boards affirm the organization’s mission, chart its future course, articulate priorities and monitor progress against strategic plan goals. 

• Build constructive partnerships between lay leaders and professional staff, communicating regularly and reviewing performance routinely

   

  Lay leaders and professional staff conduct themselves in a mutually supportive manner. Exceptional organizations forge a partnership between boards and professional staff that is characterized by mutual trust, forthrightness, and a common commitment to mission. Together they develop Board agendas and encourage open debate at Board meetings. After Board decisions are voted upon, Board members speak publicly with one voice. Boards ensure top quality professional leadership and have systems for regularly reviewing and evaluating performance.