The CSBT Board writes policies, known as Ends policies, which describe the Board’s behaviours and the way it governs on behalf of their members. These policies are called Governance Policies. Since CSBT’s inception, the Board of Trustees has followed the Carver Governance Model and annually updated policy governance best practices.

Policy governance principles form a complete governance system that enables the CSBT Board to provide strategic leadership in shaping the future of the Trust. This governance provides the necessary clarity to ensure accountability of the Board to those on behalf of which it governs.

Policy governance also sets the stage for the Board to use their time effectively, while ensuring they are shaping a future that’s meaningful for those they serve, known as the “moral owners”. Moral ownership speaks to those on whose behalf the Board carries out their duties and is the conceptual source of the Board’s authority to govern.

Policy governance integrates several principles designed to enable accountable board leadership. Those principles include:

• Role clarity with a clear definition of where governance stops, and management starts.
• Strategic leadership that allows the CSBT Board to exercise strategic foresight by defining on behalf of the moral owners, what needs are to be met, for whom and at what worth.
• Ensuring the Board is accountable to the “moral owners” of the Trust.
• Empowerment with accountability which defines expected organizational results and sets parameters in which management has creative freedom but is held accountable to the Board.

What is Ownership Linkage?
Ownership linkage involves intentional and constructive dialogue and deliberation between the moral owners and the CSBT Board, who hold the organization in Trust. The Board serves the owners by defining beneficiaries, benefits and the worth of producing the benefits on their behalf. By engaging in such linkage, the board gains insight into ownership values. Understanding who the moral owners are and their beliefs about what the organization should achieve in terms of impact, prudence, ethics, and equity is fundamental to excellent governance.

Ownership linkage is not about service offerings, public relations, or advocacy conversations, but is about collecting critical data to shape the future direction of the Trust.

How Can You Help?
The CSBT Board is very focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the benefit platform and is seeking input on whether the current Ends policies require modification to better address DEI for your organization. CSBT members will be randomly contacted to participate through a series of surveys, meetings, and focus groups. Your insight, feedback, and participation in helping us shape stronger DEI policies that will benefit all CSBT members.

If you would like to be included in this ownership linkage campaign, please let us know. More information to follow!