1. Knowledge-Based Decision Making
Cover slide
Event
Date

2. Knowledge Based Decision Making
Based on strategic thinking
Sufficient thought/discussion
Making a decision
Knowledge-based decision making is a tool you can use in your state board, local chapter and in your profession. It is:
Based on strategic thinking – the pursuit of the right questions to find the right answers
About having sufficient thought/discussion to see the realm of possibilities before reaching a decision
And then, making a decision that we never know for sure is the right one

3. Changes You Should Experience
BEFORE
I believe
Carol says
We always do it this way
AFTER
Based on……
Because attendance has been dropping for five years….
Our membership survey shows that members prefer….
Let’s talk about the changes you should experience when using knowledge based decision making
When making decisions, who hear has ever heard during the discussion {ask for hands}:
“I believe”
“Well, Carol says. . . “
“We have always done it this way”
After implementing the use of knowledge-based decision making, you’ll start to hear:
Based on the membership trends, we can see. . .
Because attendance has been dropping in five years, so the best course of action could be. . .
Our membership survey shows that our members prefer. . .

4. Impact on Board More responsive More rational/open Less political
More nimble/flexible
More concerned about outcomes
The impact you’ll see from using knowledge-based decision making is:
It forces associations to become more responsive – quicker to react
More rational/open
Less political- decisions aren’t made based on cliques or personalities or conflicts- made together based on facts
More nimble/flexible
More concerned about outcomes

5. Question #1
What do we know about members/ prospective members/ customers needs, wants, and preferences relevant to this decision?
There are four questions to utilize when trying to make a Knowledge-Based Decision. Let’s take a look
First question is [READ SLIDE]
Why is this important? {Facilitate discussion}
The board represents our members and decisions should always be in the best interest of serving our membership

6. Question #2
What do we know about the capacity and strategic position of our organization relevant to decision?
Second question: [READ SLIDE]
What does this mean? {Facilitate discussion}
Are we ready strategically to act? What could be hindering us? Does this fall into the strategic plan?

7. Question #3
What do we know about current realities and dynamics of our marketplace?
Positioning?
Resources?
Question 3: [read slide]
What does this mean? {Facilitate discussion}
Do we have the resources-time, money, people to make this happen?
Are there any outside factors that effect this decision?

8. What are the ethical implications, if any?
Question #4
What are the ethical implications, if any?
Finally the fourth question: What are the ethical implications, if any?
What could this mean? {Facilitate discussion}
Are there any conflicts of interest- perceived or real?
Would anyone be negatively effected by the decision? Is that a problem?
How does this decision reflect on the organization?

9. Essential Elements Dialogue before deliberation
Planning and thinking strategically
Well-prepared directors
Trust and respect
Essential Elements for Good Decision Making
Dialogue before deliberation- use the four questions we discussed to create a background paper to provide to your board so start the discussion
Planning and thinking strategically
Well-prepared directors- all directors should receive the background paper in advance to read and prepare
Trust and respect

10. Dialogue Before Deliberation
Discuss without taking a side
Ask questions
Feel safe
Involve everyone
So, what does dialogue before deliberate mean exaclty?
Dialogue includes:
Having the opportunity to discuss an issue without having to take a side
Asking questions before deliberating
Feeling safe with an open discussion
Getting more people to participate

11. Dialogue Helps Build Consensus
Deliberation
Make a Decision
In this model, you will:
Dialogue first
Deliberation second
Decision-making last

12. What Is Consensus Shared thought Position everyone can live
When making a decision, you should be working towards building a consensus. What is that?
From the Latin “Shared thought”
Finding a position that everyone can live- not everyone’s favorite, but everyone can agree to it

13. Consensus Building Opportunities
Committee of the Whole
Mega issue discussion
Strategic issue discussion
Knowledge-based decision making gives you many opportunities for Consensus Building. Consider these:
Using the committee of the whole- to give everyone a time to share and discuss
A mega-issue discussion- giving your board time to discuss important issues to the association and the profession
Strategic issue discussion- giving everyone a chance to decide together the path for the future

14. Routine Board Business
Agenda Items
Review and Adjustment
of Strategy
Discussion of
Mega Issue(s)
Policy:
Public & Operational
Routine Board Business
If you aren’t already, you should update your board meeting agenda to include the following
[Read slide}
Consider using a consent agenda, which means voting to improve multiple action items at one time- such as approval of previous minutes and board reports. This will free you up for deeper discussions.

15. Percentage of Time Spent
Dialogue
Deliberation and Decision
Planning/Future
Official Business Reports
Other Reports
Using a consent agenda will also help you focus on what is most important
Most of your time at a board meeting should be spent on discussion
Then, deliberation and decision-making
Planning for the future should also be discussed
Less time should focus on official business and other reports- board members can AND SHOULD read these before the meeting

16. Board Packet Agenda Background Information for Discussions
Action Items
Your Board Packet Provides Needed Information for Good Decisions. It should include:
Agenda
Background information (discussing those four questions) to prepare members for the upcoming discussions
And Action Items
You don’t need to include Committee Reports and Business Reports, as they should be shared on periodically- such as on a quarterly basis.

17. In a Knowledge-Based Association
Who makes the decision
is far less important
than the quality of information
and insight on which
the decision is made
Remember, in YOUR association:
Who makes the decision is far less important than the quality of information and insight on which the decision is made
Being a good leader means getting the information your board needs to make good decisions, facilitating discussions so all voices are heard, listening to all of your board members, and using facts to guide your decision making

18. Exercise
1. Identify one issue your association has that calls for dialogue before deliberation and why
Let’s try out this decision-making process
First, take some time to brainstorm one issue your association has that calls for dialogue before deliberation and explain why
{Give a few minutes to think and write down a topic}
{ask for a brave soul to share}

19. Exercise
2. Identify what participants would need to know about the issue in order to make a knowledge based decision
Great! Now that we have topics, please identify what information you’d need to make a knowledge-based decision
{Give a few minutes to think and write down information}
{ask for a brave soul to share}