The Board shall govern with an emphasis on (1) outward vision rather than internal preoccupation, (2) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, (3) strategic leadership more than administrative detail, (4) collective rather than individual decisions, (5) future rather than past or present, and (6) proactively rather than reactivity. 
 

• The Board shall cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, shall be responsible for excellence in governing.  The Board shall be the initiator of policy, not merely a reactor to staff initiatives.  The Board shall use the expertise of individual members to enhance the ability of the Board as a body rather than to substitute individual judgments for the Board’s values.  The Board shall allow no officer, individual, or committee of the Board to hinder or be an excuse for not fulfilling Board commitments.
• The Board shall direct, control, and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Board’s values and perspectives about ends to be achieved and means to be avoided.  The Board’s major policy focus shall be on the intended long-term effects outside the organization, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects.
• The Board shall enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Discipline shall apply to matters such as attendees, preparation, policy-making principles, respect of roles, and ensuring continuance of governance capability.  Continual Board development shall include orientation of new Board members in the Board’s governance process and periodic Board discussion of process improvement. 
• The Board shall monitor and discuss the Board’s process and performance at each meeting. Self-monitoring shall include comparison of Board activity and discipline to policies in the Governance Policies.

 
Action Requested
Board members are asked to review the Governing Style policies to ensure that all members understand the principles.