Governance is the cornerstone of effective association leadership, where the will of the members intersects with organizational direction and operations. 

This course is designed for new CEOs, first-time board members, and governance staff to gain a foundational understanding of governance principles and best practices. 

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to governance principles for new CEOs, first-time board members, and governance staff in associations, and it's divided in four key modules, each covering a critical aspect of association governance. 

The first module, Legal Fundamentals, explores the legal framework of associations in the U.S., including foundational documents, fiduciary responsibilities, and tax-exempt classifications. The second module, Roles and Responsibilities, clarifies the functions of board members, officers, and staff while introducing tools like decision responsibility matrices and board orientation.  The third module, Board Recruitment and Selection, examines different board composition models, focusing on competency-based boards and the recruitment, selection, and election processes. It also explores the role of Nominating and Leadership Development Committees in building diverse and strategically skilled boards. The final module, The Board Meeting, covers effective board meeting preparation, facilitation, and follow-up, including agenda development, decision-making strategies, and handling challenging discussions.

By the end of this course, participants will have a strong foundation in governance best practices, enabling them to contribute effectively to their associations' leadership and decision-making processes.