The Govern for Impact Policy Governance^® Proficiency (PGP) program aims to provide a high-level understanding of governance in theory, principle and practice. The curriculum draws strongly on the work of John Carver in creating the Policy Governance system and provides context through the provision of an understanding of governance concepts, principles, theories, research, and practice. The course content also draws on the work of a number of other authors in the area of governance excellence.

The PGP program leads to a certificate denoting the successful completion of an accredited program designed to provide a high standard of governance knowledge and expertise.

The PGP program is delivered online and is accessible from anywhere in the world to English-speaking participants who have a good internet connection.

The program aims to meet the needs of those who want to equip themselves to play a leadership role in the application of Policy Governance principles and practice, and the furtherance of governance knowledge more generally.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

IS PGP FOR ME?   

Yes, it is, if you are interested in Policy Governance and governance more generally and are:

• Acting as an internal or external consultant to one or more governing boards
• A Member/Director/Trustee of a Governing Board*
• A Board Officer on a Governing Board
• A CEO who is accountable to a Governing Board
• An Administrator or Corporate Secretary on whom one or more Governing Boards rely for high-level support

*The term “governing board” is used above to distinguish boards that have full accountability for an organization from boards that are advisory.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?     

Competencies and Learning Outcomes

The overall competency that the PGP program seeks to develop is the ability to play a leadership role in the application of Policy Governance principles and practice and the furtherance of governance knowledge more generally.

This overall competency is further organized into sub-competencies for which there are specific Learning Outcomes delivered through a curriculum based around 7 Learning Units.

The PGP program Competencies and Learning Outcomes are derived from:

The latest Govern for Impact Consistency Framework

Consultation with the Policy Governance-Professional Education Team which oversees the program, the PGP Unit instructors, experienced Policy Governance consultants, and PGP alumni.

CURRICULUM         

The PGP Program curriculum is delivered through seven Learning Units:

Unit 1 - Foundations of Governance

• The Relationship between Governance and Society (legislation, regulation, standards and codes – (comply or explain, principles vs rules)
• The Relationship; Between Governance and Owners and Stakeholders; The Relationship Between Governance and Management

Unit 2 – Policy Governance Principles, Policy Creation and Architecture

Unit 3 – Governance Roles, Documentation, Processes and Competencies

Unit 4 - Governance in Action

Unit 5 – Transcending Ourselves – Building the Ownership Connection

Unit 6 - Varieties of Governance Application

Unit 7 – Representing Governance to the World

Each Unit is approximately one month in length inclusive of pre-reading, webinar, tutorial, and assignments.

HOW WILL I LEARN?

The PGP program consists of seven units of learning delivered through:

• Reading and videos
• Webinars
• Group and Individual sessions with the Unit Instructor (the format depends on the Unit)
• Writing Assignments
• A Final Exam

WHO WILL TEACH ME?

All Unit Instructors are persons who have participated in the highest level of publicly available Policy Governance training and have at least 10 years’ experience of supporting Policy Governance implementation in a variety of settings.

The Govern for Impact Policy Governance-Professional Education Team chose the Unit Instructors based on:

• Overall length, depth, and variety of experience in supporting Policy Governance implementation
• Extent of Policy Governance education and evidence of teaching

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE IN THE COHORT?

Each PGP cohort is limited to approximately 16 participants.

HOW DO I KNOW THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IS CREDIBLE?

The PGP program has been accredited by IOEE (Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs) – a UK based body that accredits organizations to deliver qualifications and certify individuals around the world.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?

Participants are considered to have completed the program if they achieve 75% on final exam. Participants must complete all Unit assignments prior to writing the exam.

HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY?

Tuition Fees:

The cost of the PGP program is:

Govern Members: USD $3,250.00

Non-members: USD $3,500.00 (includes a one-year affiliation with Govern).

Payment Schedule:

Fees are payable in two installments. The first payment of $1,625 for affiliates or $1,750 for non-affiliates is due at the time of registration in order to confirm your space in the course. The second installment of $1,625 for affiliates or $1,750 for non-affiliates is due by January 5th.

Participants should also allow about $300 for purchase of reading materials.

Who is GOVERN FOR IMPACT?

GOVERN For Impact is a worldwide organization chartered in the United States as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Cancellation Policy:

Prior to October 31st:  You may cancel with a full refund less a $250 administrative fee. Between November 1 and December 31st: You may cancel without paying the second half of the fee due January 5th.

After January 1st: No refunds will be given but 50% of the fees paid as of that date can be applied to the following year's program.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL I HAVE?

The PGP program provides the opportunity to network closely with peers and Instructors.  Instructors will be available throughout the duration of their Unit to answer questions and provide support. Instructors will lead an instructional/discussion/feedback session with participants during their unit, typically in the week following the Unit webinar. Peer group support is encouraged through online and offline discussion.

The PGP Program Director provides ongoing administrative and program information and support throughout the duration of the program.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

PGP participants must meet the following entry requirements:

1. Complete the PGP Registration Form
2. Evidence of Ability to Complete the Program:

Before joining the program, a participant must provide evidence of:

1. At least two years’ relevant experience as a board member, CEO, board support (for example board clerk or administrator) or board consultant
2. Having been actively engaged in developing and operating board processes using Policy Governance

• Ability to comprehend and write English to a degree-level standard

1. Reference:

Before joining the program, all participants must provide the name of a) a board chair or CEO in an organization with which you have been involved, or b) someone who has completed the Policy Governance Academy or c) PGP alumnus who is willing to affirm the above. 

Technical Requirements:

All participants are required to have ready access to a computer with capacity for video-conferencing, and a fixed line internet connection where WIFI is known to be suboptimal for video connections. Use of a headset with a microphone is recommended for optimal quality video-conferencing. The PGP program uses the Zoom platform for the webinars.

Participants also use the PGP Online Learning Center which uses the Moodle platform.

Agreements

You will be required to acknowledge and agree to the terms of use of Govern for Impact copyright course materials and any other copyright materials obtained for the exclusive use of PGP participants.

Reading:

It is strongly recommended that participants read the following two books before the start of Unit 1 of the program:

1. “Boards That Make a Difference: A New Design for Leadership in Nonprofit and Public Organizations”, 3rd Edition, John Carver 2006, Jossey-Bass
2. “Corporate Boards That Create Value: Governing Company Performance from the Boardroom”, John Carver with Caroline Oliver, 2002, Jossey-Bass

If you do not already have these books and are a Govern for Impact affiliate, they may be purchased at a 25% discount through Govern for Impact’s website. Affiliates can sign in to the Govern for Impact Affiliate page. On the right had column click on the Wiley Bookstore tab to receive the discount.

You may also purchase books through any other bookstore or online bookseller or borrow them from your local public or institutional libraries. Second hand online booksellers such as AbeBooks and Thriftbooks.com have proved to be good sources for reasonably priced editions of the books you will use.

Most reading material will be included as part of your program. However, you will need to purchase/gain library access to some other books if you don’t already have them. Upon registration, you will receive a list of all books which are used throughout the program. This will allow you to order them or determine where you can borrow them in advance of the start of the program.

APPROXIMATE WEBINAR SCHEDULE

September 19     Orientation Webinar

October 3           Unit 1

November 7        Unit 2

December 5        Unit 3

January 16          Unit 4

February 13        Unit 5

March 13            Unit 6

April 17              Unit 7

May 1                Final Webinar

May 15               Final Exam

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Contact:   GOVERN’s Managing Director, Michael Palmer at [email protected]  

Or at Govern For Impact, 2206 Village West Drive South, Lapeer, MI 49446 USA

OR USA Mobile: +1 248 770 1865; Fax: +248 814 7151; Skype: mpalmer.treeline

A FINAL NOTE ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Govern for Impact is committed to the continuous improvement of the GSP credential as a trustworthy designation. Feedback to the PGP program participants is essential to this aim.

Participants are asked to provide feedback after each Unit and on the full program at its conclusion. However, feedback is welcome at any time and should be sent to the Govern For Impact Policy Governance-Professional Education Team via the [email protected] .

Policy Governance® is an internationally registered service mark of John Carver. Used with permission. The authoritative website for Policy Governance is   www.carvergovernance.com (http://www.carvergovernance.com) .

© 2020 Govern for Impact

Click Here to Apply to the PGP Program