Slide deck for 4/8/15 webinar by Gwen DuBois-Wing and Debra Beck (contacts on last slide) for the International Policy Governance Association. The presenters discussed factors and strategies for creating rich, focused, generative discussions in the nonprofit boardroom.

1. Getting to
Great Dialogue
Gwen DuBois-Wing, DuBois-Wing + Associates
Debra Beck, Ed.D.
International Policy Governance Association
April 8, 2015

2. Why “Great Dialogue?”
What does “great
dialogue” look like?
What is happening?
What are its
outcomes?

3. Connecting to Policy Governance
• Ends policy development:
• Helpful to produce meaningful, owner-informed ends
• Stretch thinking about ends policies
• Understanding special board-ownership
relationship
• Shaking up board process
• Board engagement with owners

4. “Great Dialogue” Factors
Your thoughts:
Factors that
enhance board
dialogue

5. Dialogue Greatness Factors
• Connections to core board work
• Great questions
• Access to diverse perspectives
• Skillful facilitation by leadership

6. Strategies for Great Dialogue
• Define governance-
focused questions
• From board goals
• From strategic planning
processes
• From board policy
• Invite, value diverse
perspectives
• Define what ‘diverse’
means to you

7. Great Dialogue Strategies
• Transform meeting
agendas
• Space for discussion
(consent agenda!)
• Flip the agenda
• Define, reinforce
values, expectations
• Respectful discourse
• Constructive conflict
• Pre-meeting prep

8. Great Dialogue Strategies
• Prepare chair for
facilitation
• Inviting, managing
wide-ranging
conversation
• Framing discussions
• Ensuring all are heard

9. Great Dialogue Strategies
• Expect, support
board learning
• Individual, group
• Access to quality
information, sources
• Acknowledge
messiness of open
idea exchange

10. Creating Your Great Dialogues
What one step can you take, with your
board, to enhance the power of your
discussions?
With what impact?

11. The Human Element
• More than magic formulas – questions,
agendas, frameworks, etc.
• Engaging the people at the table
• Board/CEO collaboration
• Productive engagement
• Sustainable culture, processes, values
• DNA of the organization
• Dynamic balance
• Culture of inquiry

12. Questions?

13. Contact Us
• Gwen DuBois-Wing
• DuBois-Wing + Associates
• gdubois-wing@tbaytel.net
• Debra Beck
• www.boardlearning.org
• Twitter: @Npmaven
• debrabeck@boardlearning.org
• http://bit.ly/BoardDynamics