GP-9 Investment in Governance

Consistent with its commitment to excellence in Policy Governance, the Frederick Community College Board of Trustees will invest in its governance capacity.

1. All new and existing Trustees shall be provided with training and access to information that clearly details the role of the Board and the Board’s expectations of a Trustee, including the Policy Governance methodology, and shall be provided a copy of Board policies.
   
   
2. Board skills, methods, and support will be sufficient to ensure governing with excellence.
   
   
   1. New Trustees shall receive a complete orientation to ensure familiarity with the organization’s history, issues and structure and the Board’s governance process.
   2. Trustees shall have ongoing opportunities for and be encouraged to pursue continued education to enhance their Policy Governance capabilities.
   3. Outreach mechanisms will be used as needed to ensure the Board’s ability to listen to Owners’ viewpoints and values.
   4. Outside monitoring assistance will be arranged and available as needed so that the Board can exercise sufficient control over organizational performance. This includes, but is not limited to, access to professional assistance as deemed necessary, including accounting experts capable to conduct a fiscal audit.
      
      
3. Costs will be prudently incurred, though not at the expense of endangering the development and maintenance of superior governance capability.
   
   
   1. The Board, in consultation with executive leadership, and as part of the institution’s annual budgeting process, shall establish an annual budget for its own governance and related functions, which shall include funds for Board meeting costs; Board education and orientation; costs of a fiscal audit, legal counsel, and any other outside monitoring assistance required; and costs of methods such as focus groups, surveys and opinion analyses to ensure the Board’s ability to listen to Owner viewpoints and values, professional development, travel, etc. The Board shall be accountable for the use of this budget.
      
      
4. The Board will use its governance means policies (Governance Process Policy) as measurable standards against which the Board’s performance can be evaluated.
   
   
   1.  The Board will evaluate and discuss the Board’s process and performance at each meeting.
   2. Under the leadership of the Board Chair, the Board will conduct self-evaluation on an ongoing basis and, at least annually, a self-evaluation with such facilitation as may be deemed appropriate. As a result of this evaluation, the Board will establish a governance action plan for improving any identified areas.
      
      
      1. The Board will regularly monitor its adherence to its Governance Process and Board-CEO Delegation policies. Upon the choice of the Board, policy adherence or compliance may be monitored at any time. However, at minimum, the Board will undertake such self-monitoring and evaluation according to an established schedule.