Learning System

Curriculum

Board Smart is designed to quickly get trustees up to speed and collaborating with each other and executives by focusing on the key dimensions of enterprise governance.

"Studies show that effective enterprise governance can improve pension fund performance by 1-3% annually."

~ “How much is good governance worth?” Chapter 19, Keith Ambachtsheer (2007)

Board Smart helps trustees and executives to quickly understand:

  • The challenges facing public retirement systems in the 1st century

  • The importance of public retirement systems for public employees, public employers, and the general public

  • Their fiduciary duty and potential for conflicts of interest

  • Vital functions the system performs and how well they are functioning

  • Powers reserved exclusively for the board

  • Relationships between each other, the executives, and third parties

For Your System

  • Individualized Continuing Education (CE) Plans

    We work with the system’s executive team to develop individualized CE plans that includes Board Smart materials, system-specific materials, external resources, etc. The CE plan includes learning goals and objectives, suggested timeline, tracking capability, and quarterly reporting that shows the progress of individuals and your system as a whole.

  • Curation of System-Specific Materials

    Board Smart will curate your system-specific materials, so your executives and trustees have access to everything they need in one place and are available on-demand online.

  • InGov® Benchmarking / GEM Report

    All system subscribers complete an InGov® profile that captures 300 points of comparison. Subscribers have access to benchmark to participating systems. Click here for an example of an InGov® report.

  • Annual Live Board Smart Dialogue

    Each year Board Smart will conduct a live, interactive dialogue between our faculty experts and your trustees. We bring these substantive conversations to a Board session and delve into important governance issues of particular interest to your system.

  • One Administrator Seat

    Each system is provided an additional seat, free of charge, for an Administrator who works with Board Smart to manage the account.

  • Technical Support

    We provide regular technical support for systems to set up new users, address any issues, provide additional information, and help you make the most of the subscription.

For Each User

  • Personal User Credential

    Each user receives user credentials and a welcome packet with login and navigation instructions.

  • Orientation

    We hold a 30-minute group orientation. New users are encouraged to attend for an overview of the enterprise governance framework.

  • Expert Talks

    Access to a full curriculum of over 40 Talks is available to all users. Each talk includes a 20-minute video, a downloadable transcript, author bio and background, additional references and resources, and a system self-assessment. Each Talk equals 30 minutes of CE credit.

  • Individual Progress Tracking

    A badge is provided each time a subscriber completes a Talk. Individual subscribers can track their CE progress through the Board Smart system.

  • Technical Support

    Board Smart provides one-on-one technical assistance for executives and trustees as needed.