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 board members, particularly those serving on volunteer boards like schools and NGOs. Whether you’re new to Policy Governance or looking to refresh your knowledge, this course will provide you with the tools and insights to understand governance principles, clarify your role, and work effectively with the CEO. It’s perfect for board members at all experience levels.

The course is designed to be self-paced and should take around 6-8 hours to complete in total. About 40% of the time will be focused on application, including assignments, reflections, and quizzes to help you apply what you’ve learned. This balance ensures that you gain practical insights and can immediately implement the concepts in your board role.

This course is suitable for both new and experienced board members. It provides foundational knowledge of Policy Governance, which can be a great starting point for new members, while also offering valuable insights to seasoned members looking to enhance their governance practices.

If you believe this course would benefit your board and your organization would like to cover the costs, I’d be happy to assist. 

To streamline this process, I have set up a form where you can enter the names and email addresses of those to be enrolled. You can find the form here:

🔗Enroll your team

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help!

This course is ideal for volunteer boards, as it provides clear guidance on how to govern effectively without the need for extensive day-to-day management. It focuses on high-level governance, strategic decision-making, and ensuring your board works effectively with the CEO to achieve your mission. By understanding and applying Policy Governance, your board can work more efficiently and collaboratively, even with limited time.

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. You’ll learn how to apply Policy Governance principles in a way that enhances collaboration and strategic thinking within your specific setting.

Even if your board works well together, Policy Governance can still bring significant benefits. It provides structure, clarity, and a framework for ensuring long-term success and sustainability. It also helps avoid common governance pitfalls that many boards face, even when they’re working smoothly. This course will enhance your effectiveness as a board and ensure that everyone is aligned on key governance principles.

This course will teach you how to build a clear, effective relationship with your CEO or executive director. You’ll learn how to establish boundaries, delegate effectively, monitor performance, and ensure that the CEO has the right operational freedom while remaining accountable to the board. This leads to stronger leadership and better organizational outcomes.

If you are also looking for training specifically for your CEO and senior management team, I have developed a separate course tailored to their needs. You can learn more about that course here.

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.

Welcome to the club! English isn’t my first language either. The core materials, especially the books by John Carver, can be a bit academic and dense at times, but don’t worry—this course has been designed with accessibility in mind. It’s broken down into clear, bite-sized modules, and the language is straightforward, making it easy for everyone to follow. If anything feels unclear, I’m here to help guide you through it!

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.