Policy Governance is a governance model that provides clarity and structure for board leadership. It helps boards focus on strategic goals, ensure accountability, and establish clear roles between the board and CEO. This model is particularly valuable for school boards and NGOs, where board members volunteer their time and need to operate efficiently to achieve their mission. Click here for more in-depth information on the Policy Governance model. 

 This course is designed for CEOs, heads of school, and senior leadership teams who work within a governance framework, particularly in schools, NGOs, and other mission-driven organizations. Whether your board fully operates under Policy Governance or is simply looking for greater role clarity and accountability structures, this course will help you navigate governance expectations, strengthen board collaboration, and lead with confidence.

This course is valuable for both those new to Policy Governance and experienced leaders looking to refine their approach and maximize their leadership impact.

The course consists of three modules, each with a core content length of approximately one hour.

For those looking to deepen their understanding, additional Expert Edge videos are available; those short video clips provide advanced insights and are optional for achieving the core learning outcomes.

Additionally, there are learning challenges, including quizzes, assignments, and worksheets, that can add up to 2+ hours of engaging activities. If you choose to dive deeper with exercises like the cheat sheet, Monitoring Report worksheet or the Succession plan worksheet, the time commitment will be longer.

This modular structure allows you to choose your level of engagement—whether you’re looking to grasp the essentials quickly or immerse yourself in every aspect of policy governance.

 This course is designed to be adaptable to any organizational context, including Christian schools and NGOs. It emphasizes the importance of aligning governance with organizational values and mission, which is particularly relevant for faith-based and mission-driven organizations. 

Even if you have a strong working relationship with your board, clarity in governance is essential for long-term success. Policy Governance provides a structured framework that ensures decision-making remains clear, consistent, and sustainable, even as leadership or board composition changes.

This course will help you:

✔ Strengthen role clarity, so the board focuses on governance while management leads operations.

✔ Prevent governance drift, ensuring that collaboration remains productive without overreach or micromanagement.

✔ Enhance strategic alignment, so board expectations and leadership decisions remain in sync.

Even well-functioning leadership teams benefit from greater clarity, structure, and accountability—this course ensures you’re equipped to navigate governance expectations with confidence and lead your organization effectively.

This course will help you navigate your role as CEO or senior leader within a governance framework. You’ll gain clarity on board expectations, delegation structures, and accountability processes, ensuring that your leadership decisions align with governance policies while maintaining operational autonomy.

You’ll learn how to:

✔ Work effectively with the board while keeping clear boundaries.

✔ Demonstrate accountability through structured reporting and performance monitoring.

✔ Strengthen board-CEO collaboration by fostering trust and transparency.

If your board is also looking for training to better understand their governance role, I have developed a separate Policy Governance Foundations Course specifically for board members. You can learn more about that course here.

Don’t worry! If you get stuck or have questions, I’m here to help. You can reach out to me at any time via email, and I’ll be happy to assist you. The course is designed to be clear and straightforward, but I’m always available to provide support when you need it.

VDS Consulting, led by Jurrian van der Straaten, specializes in empowering boards and leadership teams to thrive through tailored Policy Governance training, coaching, and consulting. To learn more about Jurrian’s background, approach, and how VDS Consulting can support your organization, please visit the About and Home pages.