Tools and techniques for improving Board processes and decision-making

Governance is one of the newest professional disciplines and continues to advance in a widening sphere of influence. But many still see governance as a more altruistic influence reinforcing its major principles of transparency and disclosure. But what is understood of the "applied" aspects of governance, and what is considered and undertaken in the day-to-day applications and direction in entities?

Dr Karen Martyn, FCIS presented "Tools and Techniques for Improving Board Processes and Decision-Making" to the CSNZ Workshop on Saturday 6 April 2013. Karen's presentation outlines in a comprehensive manner what the boundaries and responsibilities of the Board are, and specifically focuses on the manner the secretariat can support and assist directors to advance their responsibilities in a constructive and effective manner.

If the governance mandate is to create culture, a tone that develops successful and responsible corporate practice and citizenship, the points outlined in the slides and in the appendix "The Board Annual Work Plan: Governance Plan to remedy" provide compelling reading and review.

The presentation takes managers of the secretariat from the objectives of good governance, through the regulatory framework hierarchy, legislation and regulations, governance and legislative compliance audit standards, board policies and procedures including: the board charter, delegations of authority, code of conduct, fiduciary obligations, standing committees and orders, duties of the chair, evaluations, disclosure, work plan and the shaping of board dynamics.

The appendix, The Governance Audit offers the framework for what is needed, recommendations, assigned to, through to an action date. This is the " how to" of effective applied governance and is recommended reading. Publication of the Appendix is supported and approved by CCH publishers of Corporate Governance - A practical handbook [2012] of which Dr Martyn is the principal editor and author and the outline of the Appendix is included in that text. Corporate Governance - A practical handbook is available on the Home Page of the CSNZ Website.

For the presentation Tools and Techniques for Improving Board Processes and Decision-Making ... READ MORE and the Governance Audit ... READ MORE. Dr Karen Martyn can be contacted at karen@boardtraining.co.nz.