The practice of generative governance: A case study

Debra Beck, EdD

University of Wyoming

Hawaii International Conference on Education

January 2013

The Research Question

“How do preparation for,

and participation in, nonprofit

board meetings impact members’ ability to engage

in generative governance?

Generative Governance

• Creative, exploratory process

• Future focused• Uncertainty

embraced• Meaning-making• Defining problem• Setting questions

The Research Approach

• Case study • Meeting observations• Interviews• Focus groups• Content analysis

• The board• Wasn’t struggling• Potential to witness ‘generative

governance’

Theoretical Foundation

• Theories of practice, particularly:• Situated Learning Theory

• Learning occurs in everyday life• Learning is context-driven

• Community of Practice*• Sociocultural Learning Theory

• “Learning to be” vs “Learning about”

• Also, Reflective Practice• Reflecting on, in action

Community of Practice

• Domain of knowledge• Common ground and identity

• Community• Group of people who care about domain

• Practice• Framework, routines, ideas, language,

etc.

Findings: Major Themes

• Mission• How mission commitment is built• How mission drives deliberations• Individual connections to mission

• Capacity• The factors (activities, structures,

resources, etc., that fuel governance

COP: Domain

Theme 1:

MissionDomain

Domain: The Evidence

• Member Motivation• Civic• Moral/spiritual• Social/political

• Mission• Focus• ‘Success’ consensus• Commitment

COP: Capacity

Community Practice Theme 2: Capacity

COP: Community

Community

Recruitment

ClimateLeadership

Community: The Evidence• Recruitment

• Mission connection• Skills needed

• Leadership• Executive director, founder• Situational

• Climate• Structure• Collegiality

COP: Practice

Practice

Role Clarity

Peer Learning

Member Questions

Resources

Practice: The Evidence

• Resources• Print (minutes, agenda, ED report)• Executive director

• Role Clarity• Knowing why they were recruited

• Peer Learning• Two roles: expert, non-expert

• Member Questions• Who asks, what types, to what ends

Putting It All Together…

Generative Governance

Community

Domain

Practice

Conclusions

• Community of practice useful frame for context-based nonprofit board learning

• Key messages• Constant mission focus is critical• Role clarity essential: recruitment & beyond• Recognize, value, use peer learning

• Expert AND non-expert

• Safe, trusting, respectful environment critical

Practice: Going Global

Contact/More Information

• Dr. Debra Beck• debbeck@uwyo.edu• 307-766-2066• Blog: boardlearning.org• Twitter: @npmaven

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/debrabeck