Governance Services

One of ACCORD's major areas of expertise is health care governance. Both Ed Kazemek and Pam Knecht have served as members of nonprofit organizations, and both are Governance Advisors (and board faculty) of The Governance Institute, the largest national organization dedicated to enhancing governance effectiveness through education and research. ACCORD consultants write extensively on governance topics (See the Publications section of the website for recent articles and white papers).

ACCORD provides a wide range of governance consulting assistance, from a one-time board retreat to a comprehensive assessment of governance structure and functioning. Brief descriptions of each governance service are provided below.

Comprehensive Governance Assessments

ACCORD recognizes that the massive changes taking place in the health care industry have forced organizations to re-think their governance models. As experts in governance, the firm provides technically sound and implementable recommendations based on:

• Comparative research and analysis of similar organizations;
• The Governance Institute's extensive research database;
• Interviews with key board members and executives regarding current governance and organization structures;
• ACCORD's observations regarding the unique characteristics and strategy of the organization; and
• Application of the firm's experience and expertise in creating effective and efficient governance functioning and structure.

ACCORD's assessments result in specific, actionable recommendations for how to improve governance at multiple levels. The type of issues identified and addressed through a comprehensive governance assessment often include:

• Aligning the governance structure with the organization’s mission and vision;
• Streamlining the number of boards and committees across the organization;
• Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and authority among the various boards and committees and between board and management;
• Redefining the composition of each board and committee;
• Modifying policies and procedures to ensure they are consistent with best practices and legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., the Internal Revenue Service's Form 990 Instructions);
• Increasing communication among and within governance entities;
• Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of board and committee meetings.

Board Orientation and Education

For boards to be effective in this challenging health care environment, their individual members must receive up-front orientation and on-going education. ACCORD works with clients to develop materials and facilitate sessions for both new and existing board members in large group settings (e.g., all who serve in governance) or in small meetings (e.g., the hospital or system board).

As a result of these educational / orientation sessions, board members gain a better understanding of the following:

• What boards do (e.g., core responsibilities, fiduciary duties of board members);
• The environment in which health care boards operate (e.g., national health care trends);
• What other boards are doing (e.g., best practices);
• What boards can do differently to be more effective.

Board Retreats

ACCORD consultants are also knowledgeable facilitators and speakers for board retreats. ACCORD can custom-design and facilitate an entire board retreat, or speak on a specific topic as part of a conference. Issues addressed during board retreats have included:

• Education on national health care issues;
• Information on governance best practices;
• Board self-evaluation and action planning;
• Board goal-setting;
• System / Hospital strategic direction-setting;
• Kick-off for a comprehensive governance assessment;
• Board responsibilities and fiduciary duties.

Board Evaluation and Development

To make good decisions in the rapidly-changing health care environment, boards and committees must be working well. The best way to determine if a governance function is effective is to institute a periodic board evaluation and development process.

ACCORD uses customized self-evaluation surveys or standardized tools from The Governance Institute in San Diego, California, to help evaluate the effectiveness of the entire governance function and of individual board members. Consultants then recommend specific developmental actions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the board, committees, and board members. The result is a governance work plan that the board can use throughout the year to ensure it is continually enhancing its performance.