Governing Through Networks

OK, first let's define governance in the sense of organizational success. "It is the mechanism by which outsiders can train a critical eye on operations and provide expertise, connections, and financial support," as defined in the book The Networked Nonprofit. Governing boards provide organizations safe "plans-of-attack" for entering into the future, but lately, there has been dissatisfaction by board members that there is no longer any effectiveness to their strategies. But wait, social media can be the answer to all their problems! Allowing organizations to connect with people and allowing them be a part of the discussion, will allow for more constructive input and feedback.

What does an ineffective governing board look like, you ask?

• Repetitive meetings, no change
• Nothing spontaneous or surprising
• People just nod and agree
• Asking friends for money
• Closed culture, no outside input
• Lack of diversity
• Poor leadership

These governing boards are doomed to fail, in fact there are three specific types of these "doomed" organizations.

• Rubber Stamp Board: board expected to approve plans/wishes of staff
• Muddle-Through Boards: lack strong leadership at all levels
• Fiduciary Boards: focused solely on financial statements and budgets

On the total opposite end though, we have a highly effective governing board utilizing social media. Here's what it might look like:

• Online meetings allowing people from all over to participate (geographic diversity)
• Ongoing conversation on Twitter
• Energized attitudes/new ideas
• Using social media contacts to search for skills they need
• Mobile engagement strategies
• Transparency

And...every governance process must contain these key characteristics:

• Anticredentialism: anyone should be able to participate
• Collective choice system: democratically make decisions
• Communal validation: choices of group are open to public scrutiny
• Open development: transparency is a must

Governing organizations must take place at the "meta-organizational level" in order for them to be successful. Organizations need to communicate and interact with their ecosystems. Even though some organizations may be unfamiliar with many social media channels, they can always start with the ones they feel most comfortable with and then continue to branch to others.Social media channels allow organizations to hear what people are saying, learn about new perspectives, and grasp onto trends that may be forming.