Policy Governance^®

Policy Governance is a governance system created by John Carver. Thus it is sometimes referred to as the Carver model. It is comprised of a series of internally consistent principles which enable boards to provide leadership for their organizations, including churches, denominations, mission agencies and other charities. Policy Governance is not a series of best practices which can be adopted on an ad hoc basis. As such there is no hybrid version of Policy Governance.

Boards that implement Policy Governance are clear about those to whom they are accountable and on whose behalf they govern. They are clear regarding who will be better off as a result of the ministry of the organization and how those people will be better off. That means they talk mostly about the future rather than the present of the past.  Policy Governance boards articulate their values in terms of setting boundaries, outside of which management cannot operate. They are as concerned about their own performance as they are about the performance of their CEO.     

Policy Governance is a registered service mark of John Carver. The authoritative website for the Policy Governance model can be found at www.carvergovernance.com