Governance Principles

As the governing authority of ChildServe, the Board of Directors will conduct its affairs in accordance with the following governance principles:

• Constructive Partnership:  Exceptional boards govern in constructive partnership with the chief executive, recognizing that the effectiveness of the board and the chief executive are interdependent.  ChildServe’s governing body will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the chief executive officer on an annual basis and ensuring that the compensation of the chief executive officer is reasonable and appropriate.

• Mission Driven:  Exceptional boards shape and uphold the organization’s mission, articulate a compelling vision, and ensure the congruence between decisions and core values.   ChildServe’s governing body will provide continuous oversight to assure that the organization remains faithful to its mission.

• Strategic Thinking:  Exceptional boards allocate time to what matters most and continuously engage in strategic thinking to hone the organization’s direction.   ChildServe’s governing body will participate actively in the organization’s strategic planning process and in the formation of its strategic plans to ensure that the organization drives towards its preferred future and has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.   

• Culture of Inquiry:  Exceptional boards institutionalize a culture of inquiry, mutual respect, and constructive debate that leads to sound and shared decision making.  ChildServe’s governing body will ensure that its members have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties, that all members understand and fulfill their governance duties acting for the benefit of the organization and its mission, and that all members faithfully attend the meetings of the organization’s governing authority.  It will provide development opportunities for board members on at least an annual basis.

• Independent-Mindedness:  Exceptional boards are independent-minded. When making decisions, board members put the interests of the organization above all else.  ChildServe’s governing body will maintain a conflict of interest policy that ensures that any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed through disclosure, recusal or other means.

• Ethos of Transparency:  Exceptional boards promote an ethos of transparency by ensuring that donors, stakeholders, and interested members of the public have access to appropriate and accurate information regarding finances, operations, and results.  ChildServe’s governing body will ensure that policies of the organization are accessible and are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted.

• Compliance with Integrity:  Exceptional boards promote strong ethical values and disciplined compliance by establishing appropriate mechanisms for active oversight.  ChildServe’s governing body shall ensure that the organization conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty.

• Sustaining Resources:  Exceptional boards link bold visions and ambitious plans to financial support, expertise, and networks of influence.   ChildServe’s governing body shall ensure that the resources of the organization are responsibly and prudently managed. This includes approval of the organization’s budget and an annual audit.

• Results-Oriented:  Exceptional boards are results-oriented. They measure the organization’s advancement towards mission and evaluate the performance of major programs and services.  ChildServe’s governing body will ensure that the CEO and appropriate staff provide the governing authority with timely and comprehensive information so that it can effectively carry out its supervisory duties.

• Intentional Board Practices:  Exceptional boards intentionally structure themselves to fulfill essential governance duties and to support organizational priorities.  ChildServe’s governing body will conduct regularly scheduled meetings, including a minimum of six (6) meetings per fiscal year.  It will consist of no fewer than nineteen (19) voting members, only one of whom may be directly or indirectly compensated.  The compensated member will not serve as the governing body’s chair or treasurer. 

• Continuous Learning:  Exceptional boards embrace the qualities of a continuous learning organization, evaluating their own performance and assessing the value they add to the organization.  To facilitate candor and introspection, ChildServe’s governing body will ensure that the organization promotes working relationships with board members, staff, volunteers, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness.  It will engage in an annual assessment of its own performance.

• Revitalization:  Exceptional boards energize themselves through planned turnover, thoughtful recruitment, and inclusiveness. Members of ChildServe’s governing body shall rotate on a regular basis and shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the organization is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all board and staff positions.[1]