Is June really over? It seems ages since I spent time at the Eskimos training camp, but it was just a few short weeks ago. In fact, the team has been picked and the CFL season has opened. I even booked my Grey Cup trip to Toronto.
     I attended the 75th anniversary of No. 31 Elementary Flying Training School De Winton (part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). You might remember that my mom lied about her age to be a flight-line mechanic there (that's the focus of my play "Never Let the Crew See You Cry"). It was amazing to be at De Winton and see where she worked "the best job of her life." There's not much standing now, but even the grown-over runways and old building foundations gave me a sense of place (and a sense of peace). I was able to share some of mom's stories and show her photograph album. There aren't many people left to appreciate it, but there were a few and I was so glad I could be there.
     I was honoured that Lunchbox Theatre selected my play about mom and De Winton to be part of the Suncor Stage One Festival of New Canadian Theatre. This meant I got to spend a week in Calgary workshopping it. My director and actors were immensely talented, helpful, and fun. Plus the kind people who billeted me offered a beautiful space to write. And write. And write! Lunchbox Theatre hosted a public reading of the much revised script on the final day and the audience really enjoyed it. The Q&A session after was also most helpful and I can't wait to remount the play and tour it this fall!      
     Rehearsals for my new Fringe play "Trail and Error" are so much fun and we finally signed off on the poster (see below). We hope you can join us in August and be among the many who will laugh at my pain and poor judgement. Don't worry -- I can take it (now).
     I had a quick trip to Golden which really put me into the writing zone, where I've stayed most of the month. I hope I can settle in this creative mood for a while longer, as I've some stories that are dying to get out of my head and onto the page!
     On the hottest day of the year so far I received a gift of a beautiful vintage mink coat. Of course, I think I look quite glamourous in it but, just to put things in perspective, I stopped at the 20th anniversary of the Torrington Gopher Hole Museum. Some of those gophers look better in clothes than I do in fur. But not all of them!

1. CONSENT AGENDA

The meeting began online and 10 days prior to the physical meeting with approval of the consent agenda (CEO, updates from key staff members). Proper use of the consent agenda simply requires a read-through and consent. (I love the idea of doing this in advance, although I know it will push some Boards to get the info out even earlier).

2. MEETING AGENDA

Today's high-performance board agenda moves from financial to

3. DASHBOARD FINANCIALS

The financial report was presented as a one-page, color-coded (green, yellow, red) dashboard of key financial indicators that the board developed earlier. The finance committee did the deep dive into the details and reported exceptions and recommendations to the board, which were then approved. (I like the "at-a-glance" approach, but acknowledge that both trust and understanding need to be present).

4. BOARD SUCCESSION

A "Governance Leadership Succession" discussion was held on potential future board members the board had identified and engaged. Conversation focused on how they fit the desired profile. The board tracks progress quarterly on early identification and development of next generation board members. (I know one board who talks about this quarterly but it does not seem like time well spent. Ideas of making this more useful are welcome!).

5. REDUCED JIBBER-JABBER

Board members read the board packet so their contributions were cogent and to the issue. No repeating what

other board members had said; no drifting into "administrivia." They saved space for meaningful dialogue during the "strategic update" segment (50-75 percent of meeting time). (I wish, oh how I wish...).

6. EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES

Staff and committee presentations/recommendations were in "executive summary" one-page formats. Background

information was on the board's web site for those who needed details. This jump-started the board discussion on action vs. the history of how we got there. (This approach provides something for the "highlights only" people and the "dig deep" people without bogging down the agenda package).

7. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

Thirty minutes into the agenda, the board had completed its "business oversight" and moved on to a significant strategic issue. This allowed 45 minutes of dialogue about the continued relevance of the strategy, updates on progress, new data points / information relative to the strategy, confirmation of continued importance, and recommitment to tactics, timing, and resources. Conversation was " generative" in that it focused on creating ideas and developing new perspectives on strategy. (It is a good idea to have generative conversations when the board is fresh. This model would accomplish that).

The meeting ended with a short board development segment focused on the discussion of a governance article

on the board's role in enterprise risk management that the members had read in advance. This 15-minute segment

of the agenda directly related to board development goals established at the annual planning retreat and was based on the results of the board's most recent annual self-assessment. (I like this. Some boards expand their meetings by hours or even days to accommodate board development. A 15 minute segment related to an identified need sounds like a great idea).

9. IMMEDIATE ASSESSMENT

Each board member completed a quick evaluation survey

of the meeting, answering three open-ended questions: 1. Are you leaving the meeting confident in the overall performance of our organization? 2. Did you feel you had ample opportunity for input? 3. Would you change anything for future meetings? (I've tried every kind of board meeting assessment and this sounds better than most).

Last month I mentioned Gord Sheppard, a colleague who specializes in creating awesome meetings. If you were at CSAE Edmonton's June event you probably got to meet him. In case you missed him, Click Here. Of course, I'm happy to help as well!

Written by Linda Wood Edwards

Directed by David Cheoros

Performed by Ellen Chorley

Showtimes

Fri, Aug 12 - 2:00p

Sat, Aug 13 - 7:45p

Sun, Aug 14 - 4:30p

Tue, Aug 16 - 12:15p

Wed, Aug 17 - 9:30p

Fri, Aug 19 - 9:15p

Sat, Aug 20 - 12:15p

Sun, Aug 21 - 3:00p

STRATHCONA BRANCH LIBRARY, VENUE 13
8331 104 STREET | AIR CONDITIONED COMFORT

Tickets available August 3rd: (780) 409-1910 or The Fringe

We are interested in finding ways to help you help us. Please contact me to discuss. Thanks! /lmwe
[email protected]