Community (not-for-profit) governance - what are some of the issues?

Abstract

A view of community governance is presented, combining not-for-profit literature and reflections from my interactions with four New Zealand primary school Boards of Trustees. With Trustees typically adopting a policy, prescriptive approach to governance, mission-oriented approaches may provide a useful alternative, encouraging critical reflection and proactive behaviour-attributes often overshadowed within the functionalist, accountability-driven formats promoted within the New Zealand education sector. The heavy workload of Trustees is highlighted as I reflect on some of the costs of community-based governance. I conclude that attempts to enhance community-based governance must move beyond 'tools' and begin to address resource issues.