volunteer boards – is there a better way?
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Volunteer Boards – Is There a Better Way?. Bruce G. Matthews Real Estate Council of Ontario. Overview. Challenging the status quo Characteristics of an ideal Board/Council and an ideal Board/Council member Compensation issues Operational issues Recruitment issues Education/Training issues - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Governance Issues in Professional Regulation
CLEAR Seminar
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011© CLEAR 2011
Volunteer Boards – Is There a Better
Way?Bruce G. Matthews
Real Estate Council of Ontario
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Overview
• Challenging the status quo• Characteristics of an ideal Board/Council
and an ideal Board/Council member• Compensation issues• Operational issues• Recruitment issues• Education/Training issues• Q & A
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Challenging the Status Quo
• What is the status quo?– Mix of professional and public members– Nominal compensation
• Travel expenses, perhaps small per diem
– Misaligned interests between the individual members and the regulator
• “You get the government you deserve”
• 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
An Ideal Council/Board…
• Appropriately sized• Focused• Organized• Representative
– of the profession being regulated– of the population being served
• Self-aware and self-correcting• Embodies good governance
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
An Ideal Council Member…
• Prior Board experience– Understands policy governance– Understands meeting rules/procedures
• Interests aligned with that of the regulator
• Comes prepared• Engaged
– committee work; meets commitments
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Why Can’t We Have It?
• What are the impediments?– Qualifications versus interest– Expectations versus reality– Legislative constraints
• What can the regulator do to overcome them?
• How do we attract a wider pool of candidates? Can we enhance that pool?
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Four Areas for Attention
• Compensation
• Operational Issues
• Recruitment
• Education / Training
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Would Pay Make a Difference?
• Should Board/Council service be a purely altruistic endeavour?
• The “cost” of Board/Council service– Sacrifices made by volunteers– Does the level of employer support
matter?
• $$ as a carrot to lure qualified candidates
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Would Pay Make a Difference?
• The “value” proposition– Do you get what you pay for?– Should compensation / reward reflect the
organization’s perception of the role?
• Risks– Attracting those solely interested in the $$– “Sauce for the goose is sauce for the
gander”– Heightened performance expectations
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Operational Issues
• Is your organization attractive to potential Board/Council members?– Expenses reimbursed promptly– Expenses pre-paid vs. reimbursed– Other travel policies– Staff prepared / organized / responsive
• Would existing Board/Council members recommend the role to others?
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Recruitment
• Where do Council candidates come from?– What is the motivation?
• Should candidates be actively recruited?– What role can the regulator play?
• Nominating Committees– Perpetuating the status quo?
• Managing expectations• Getting employer support
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Education / Training
• Board member training has become de rigueur– Typically delivered after a person has
been elected / appointed to the Board/Council
– Timing issues
• What about candidate training?– Maximize the opportunity for informed,
focused candidates
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Summary
• Don’t have to settle for the status quo• With effort, we can address the gaps
and maximize the potential for improvement
• Four areas for attention:– Compensation– Operations– Recruitment– Education / Training
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Q & A
Council on Licensure,
Enforcement and Regulation
Toronto, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Speaker Contact Information
Bruce G. MatthewsDeputy Registrar, Regulatory ComplianceReal Estate Council of Ontario3250 Bloor St. W., Suite 600Toronto, Ontario M8X 2X9T: 416-207-5149E: [email protected]