Become a highly effective board member.
Highly effective trustees are a prerequisite for a highly effective board. While the authority of a governing board lies in the collective action of its members, each individual trustee contributes to—or limits—the effectiveness of the board as a whole.
AGB developed the Principles of Trusteeship to help you become a more productive member of the board. Most governance resources focus on the responsibilities of the board, but these nine principles outline attitudes and actions each trustee should embody.
Browse below to learn more about each principle and access related resources, or click here to order the full guide.
UNDERSTAND
GOVERNANCE
PRINCIPLE 1→
Embrace the full scope of
your responsibilities.
PRINCIPLE 2→
Respect the difference between the
board’s role and the administration’s role.
PRINCIPLE 3→
Be an ambassador for your institution
and higher education.
LEAD BY
EXAMPLE
PRINCIPLE 4→
Conduct yourself with
impeccable integrity.
PRINCIPLE 5→
Think independently
and act collectively.
PRINCIPLE 6→
Champion justice, equity,
and inclusion.
THINK
STRATEGICALLY
PRINCIPLE 7→
Learn about the mission, constituents,
culture, and context.
PRINCIPLE 8→
Focus on what matters most to
long-term sustainability.
PRINCIPLE 9→
Ask insightful questions and
listen with an open mind.
UNDERSTAND
GOVERNANCE
PRINCIPLE 1→
Embrace the full scope of
your responsibilities.
PRINCIPLE 2→
Respect the difference
between the board’s role
and the administration’s role.
PRINCIPLE 3→
Be an ambassador for
your institution and
higher education.
LEAD BY
EXAMPLE
PRINCIPLE 4→
Conduct yourself with
impeccable integrity.
PRINCIPLE 5→
Think independently
and act collectively.
PRINCIPLE 6→
Champion justice, equity,
and inclusion.
—
THINK
STRATEGICALLY
PRINCIPLE 7→
Learn about the mission,
constituents, culture,
and context.
PRINCIPLE 8→
Focus on what matters
most to long-term
sustainability.
PRINCIPLE 9→
Ask insightful questions and
listen with an open mind.
This guide conveys the essence of highly effective trusteeship in a concise, easy-to-use format. It defines the attitudes and actions of highly effective board members, and provides insight into three fundamental functions:
- Understand governance by embracing all of your responsibilities in a structure of shared leadership.
- Lead by example by upholding the highest standards of integrity.
- Think strategically by focusing on what matters most to the long-term success of the whole enterprise.
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