COSEE National Network Meeting, Apr. 6, 2007 A. deCharon, R. Fortner, V. Robigou

COSEE NetworkOperating Agreement - Governance

Review

April 2007

This review is representative of the state of the network asof the first quarter of 2007.

It reflects the natural evolution of a large experimental partnership among ten centers (dozens of individuals) located throughout the U.S. and in various stages of funding,

programs implementation, and growth.

Network Needs - Today for a better TomorrowWell-structured Leadership - clear decision-making path- Executive Committee?- Executive director ?- National COSEE Council?- National Advisory Board?- Central Coordinating Office?

AND Effective Communication - supportive of network- Web?- Briefing Books?- Blackboard?- Listserv, Email?- Meetings? (Network, Council, Others)

AND Unifying Network Themes - unifying projects- Themes that spark the imagination & compel centers to work together- They are the engine, the driver of the network efforts- They should drive the choice of leadership, choice of projects, choice ofmeetings, etc.- They should be informed by “world-need” evaluation (informed bynon-COSEE world’s needs and centers’ approaches, successes and challenges)

Today's apparent COSEE governance model...

GovernanceThe act of affecting government and monitoring (through policy) the long-term strategy and direction of an organization. In general, governance comprises the traditions, institutions and processes that determine how power is exercised, how citizens are given a voice, and how decisions are made on issues of public concern. [From the Institute of Governance]

CE

NT

ER

RE

PR

ES

EN

TA

TIO

N &

WE

B

CE

NT

ER

RE

PR

ES

EN

TA

TIO

N &

WE

B

NCC: One representative (vote) per Center works wellWeb: Clear functions but not workable solution for pro-active, vibrant web site- Suggestion? Outsource to a sub-committee formed by center members

NCC: One representative (vote) per Center works wellWeb: Clear functions but not workable solution for pro-active, vibrant web site- Suggestion? Outsource to a sub-committee formed by center members

EV

AL

UA

TIO

N &

CC

O F

UN

DIN

G

EV

AL

UA

TIO

N &

CC

O F

UN

DIN

G

Evaluation: Results have yet to inform next steps for network- Suggestion? Find ways to use internal & external evaluation to drive activities

Evaluation: Results have yet to inform next steps for network- Suggestion? Find ways to use internal & external evaluation to drive activities

NA

TIO

NA

L A

DV

ISO

RY

BO

AR

D

NA

TIO

NA

L A

DV

ISO

RY

BO

AR

D

NAB: Not structured to positively inform network nor vice-versa- Suggestion? Partial representation of Centers' Advisory Boards

NAB: Not structured to positively inform network nor vice-versa- Suggestion? Partial representation of Centers' Advisory Boards

NE

TW

OR

K M

EE

TIN

GS

& R

EP

OR

TIN

G

NE

TW

OR

K M

EE

TIN

GS

& R

EP

OR

TIN

G

Meetings and Reporting (communication): Number of meetings drive activities instead of vice-versa; Briefing books & blackboard are passive (vs. pro-active)- Suggestion? Vote on minutes, make available on web & searchable (to anyone)?

Meetings and Reporting (communication): Number of meetings drive activities instead of vice-versa; Briefing books & blackboard are passive (vs. pro-active)- Suggestion? Vote on minutes, make available on web & searchable (to anyone)?

ME

ET

ING

AG

EN

DA

& E

XE

C. C

OM

MIT

TE

E

ME

ET

ING

AG

EN

DA

& E

XE

C. C

OM

MIT

TE

E

Executive Committee (ExCom): Central role but barely definedED & CCO: Ties to ExCom not clear; NCC-ED relationship needs definition- Suggestion? Functions / funding distributed & decentralized through sub committees (populated by network members)

Executive Committee (ExCom): Central role but barely definedED & CCO: Ties to ExCom not clear; NCC-ED relationship needs definition- Suggestion? Functions / funding distributed & decentralized through sub committees (populated by network members)

"UN

IFY

ING

PR

OJE

CT

S"

"UN

IFY

ING

PR

OJE

CT

S"

Unifying Themes-Projects: First project had clear connections to the network; Subsequent themes created more work but less feedback into the system- Suggestion? Find ways to restructure governance so it is more "theme-driven"

Unifying Themes-Projects: First project had clear connections to the network; Subsequent themes created more work but less feedback into the system- Suggestion? Find ways to restructure governance so it is more "theme-driven"

PO

LIC

Y &

FU

ND

ING

IM

PA

CT

SP

OL

ICY

& F

UN

DIN

G I

MP

AC

TS

PO

LIC

Y &

FU

ND

ING

IM

PA

CT

SP

OL

ICY

& F

UN

DIN

G I

MP

AC

TS

Changes & opportunities: No systematic way of assessing impacts-Suggestion? Conduct some sort of cost-benefit analysis on case-by-case basis. Over the long run, does the network need someone to work on fundraising/sustainability?

Changes & opportunities: No systematic way of assessing impacts-Suggestion? Conduct some sort of cost-benefit analysis on case-by-case basis. Over the long run, does the network need someone to work on fundraising/sustainability?

GovernanceThe act of affecting government and monitoring (through policy) the long-term strategy and direction of an organization. In general, governance comprises the traditions, institutions and processes that determine how power is exercised, how citizens are given a voice, and how decisions are made on issues of public concern. [From the Institute of Governance]

REMEMBER: The strength of COSEE is in its Centers

Dedicated, innovative individuals could better “cross-fertilize” and enhance the network (with a funding structure for support)

Many network efforts are volunteer-based. What are we willing to invest in to move the network forward?

Questions and Next Steps?This review is a preliminary compilation of issues/concerns as a framework for discussion of governance. Governance is complex: issues, entities, and functions are overlapping and intersecting.

• How can we reconcile all these issues with a reconfigured governance?

• Does reconfiguration of governance help COSEE become more flexible and responsive to the needs of the outside world?

•How does reconfiguring governance facilitate direction of the COSEE network's long-term strategy?

• Blueprint is one step forward but is it time to revisit the network long-term strategy?