There are various types of governing boards, based on these broad categories of the organizations they govern, each of which has unique properties:
- Corporate – e.g. the board of directors for The Boeing Co. The ownership of a corporate board (those on whose behalf the board governs the organization) includes those who buy stock and therefore qualify to vote on stockholder matters presented at an annual stockholder meeting.
- Nonprofit – e.g. the board of directors for the International Red Cross. The ownership of a nonprofit board includes those who contribute financially to the nonprofit.
- Governmental – e.g. the New York City Council or the Los Angeles School Board. The ownership of a governmental board includes the electorate, taxpayers and residents of a geographic political subunit of the state.
- Association – e.g. the board of directors for the American Medical Association. The ownership of an association includes those who qualify for (perhaps via some professional credential required for membership) may pay dues to become members of the association, or (in the case of a homeowners association) those who have bought property that qualifies for membership.
To understand the nature of boards it is important to review those to whom the board answers, those over whom the board exercises authority, and those who are served by the board. These and other subjects are discussed at this wiki site. You are welcome to contribute your own ideas to that site.
Governance Models
This site – and consultation based on its contents – is offered regardless of how the board chooses to perform its responsibilities. Questions about how the board goes about its business are best answered by thorough documentation of the board’s operating system, or its governance model.
For those who are not sure what their board’s governance model is, or for boards that have no discernable operating system other than that which the CEO has structured for them, we also offer consultation in the Policy Governance (R) model of John Carver or the Coherent Governance (R) model of Aspen Group, International (Randy Quinn and Linda Dawson.) Both models empower boards to govern their organizations, and help them structure that governance in a way that assures organizational performance on behalf of others (the ‘owners’ of the organization) for designated beneficiaries (those who are to be served by the organization).