Bylaws, policies, procedures – pretty basic stuff, right? Well, those are some of the main elements, but governance is much broader than that. Governance is about the system for the decision-making and operations of an organization and relates to the relative powers, authorities, and responsibilities of the components in that system. This session will cover the best practices and standards for effective and ethical association governance, including the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors, the staff, and the members, and how they interact and communicate with each other. Other topics will include strategic planning, financial management, risk management, accountability, and transparency. By the end of this presentation, you will have a basic understanding of the key elements and principles of association governance and how they can help your association achieve its mission and vision.