This presentation by Dottie Schindlinger was delivered at the 2019 Wisconsin School Boards Association (WASB) State Education Convention and focused on using generative governance and tools like BoardDocs to deliver better board decisions

1. Making Sense: (Re)Framing Problems to
Generate Better Board Decisions
January 23, 2019, 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM EST
Presenter: Dottie Schindlinger, VP of Thought Leadership
BoardDocs

2. Today’s Agenda
Review 3 modes of governance & significance of
“generative thinking”
Provide a framework to help the board perform the
“sense-maker” role
Suggest practical strategies you can implement with
your board

3. EXECUTIVE GOVERNANCE SHARED GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE BY DEFAULT GOVERNANCE BY FIAT
4 Profiles of GovernanceLEVELOFSTAFFINVOLVEMENT
LEVEL OF BOARD ENGAGEMENT

4. In addition to oversight,
boards need to provide
insight, and, if possible,
foresight.”
NANCY AXELROD
Governing for Growth
“

5. ORG-SPECIFIC
KNOWLEDGE
REQUIRED
ROLE Sentinels
Strategic
Partners
to Management
Sense Makers
MediumLow High
Modes of Governance
FIDUCIARY STRATEGIC GENERATIVE

6. FIDUCIARY STRATEGIC GENERATIVE
Key Question What’s Wrong? What’s the Plan? What’s the Right Question?
Board Focus
Define Problems
Review Performance
Solve Problems
Shape Strategy
Frame Problems
Engage in Sense-making
Board Process Parliamentary Procedure
Logistical and Empirical
Discussion
More Informal and Creative
Problems Are To Be Spotted Solved Framed
Decision Making Resolution Reaching Consensus Framing the Question
Board Sees Their Role As Oversight & Authority Strategist Fresh Perspective
Performance Metrics Facts, Figures, Finances, Reports
Strategic Indicators
Competitive Analysis
Signs of Learning and Discerning
Board Behaviors in Each Governance Mode
Excerpted from CentrePointe summary of "Governance As Leadership," July 2009.

7. Why does problem framing matter?

8. Practice! Reframing Problems
Three Scenarios – What Generative Questions Might You Ask?
Scenario 1: School Closing
Your district has had major
funding cuts due to population
changes and is considering
closing a beloved elementary
school.
Scenario 2: Talent Pool
Your district has been losing your
most qualified teachers to jobs
available at a local university that
has just opened an annex in your
town.
Scenario 3: #OhNo!
Suddenly, your social media sites
are filled with negative comments
from unhappy students & parents
protesting the scaling back of
extracurricular programs.

9. Strategies for Generating Better Decisions
1. Establish norm of “respectful inquiry”
2. Collaborate on building the board’s agenda
3. Allow time for meaningful discussion
4. Provide a list of “starter” generative questions
5. Keep an eye out for “generative landmarks”

10. Tactics: Strategic Board Planning Calendar
1. Plot out topics across the year
2. Provide the schedule, topics, links to related reading, discussion questions

11. Tactics: Focus More Time on Meeting Prep
1. Provide “briefing” materials to inform discussion
2. Suggest generative questions to jump-start the board’s thinking

12. 1. About 90 minutes long
2. 5 minutes: Community Engagement -
Recognition and Awards
3. 2-3 minutes: Mission Vision
Statements Reviewed
4. 1-2 minutes: Consent Agenda Approval
5. 15-20 minutes: Committee Reports
New Business - Discussion
6. 60 minutes: Governing
Adapted from Susan Howlett’s “Boards on Fire! Inspiring Leaders to Raise Money
Joyfully.”
Tactic: “Generative” Meeting Agendas

13. Tactics: Meeting Flow
1. Silent meeting start with 1-minute essay
2. GBOMM’s – “Good, Bad, On My Mind”
3. Assign a time-keeper (NOT the Chair, NOT
the secretary, NOT staff)
4. Post meeting evaluation

14. 15
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