CHICAGO - The world's only complete and conceptually coherent operating system for boards will be the focus of a major international conference being held in Chicago on June 10-12, 2004. Designed by Atlanta-based governance expert, Dr. John Carver, the Policy Governance® system has been widely used by non-profit organizations around the world and is receiving attention within the business sector, where, in the wake of the Enron, WorldCom, and other corporate governance fiascos, it is needed now more than ever.

Presented by the International Policy Governance Association (IPGA), The Future of Boards: Realizing the Promise of Owner-Accountability will feature a keynote address by Jeremy Booker, VP - Corporate Governance of BP (British Petroleum) about the application of Policy Governance® principles in the business world.

"Until recently," says IPGA Chair, Caroline Oliver, "the job of the corporate director has been woefully overlooked. Policy Governance® is a unique framework of principles that directors can use to organize all of the corporation's affairs, to govern with full accountability, and to add value to the bottom line."

Unlike many other corporate governance conferences, The Future of Boards will not offer a smorgasbord of 'best practices' from which participants must choose, but rather one fully integrated, logical, holistic system based on fundamental governance principles. When learning about it for the first time, Dr. Carver's system often has directors and CEOs experiencing a radical shift in their thinking about the function of a board, and about what is truly possible when Policy Governance® principles are applied in their entirety.

"The trouble with problem-based improvements," says Dr. Carver, "is they may be absolutely sensible and still miss the mark. They may cure the present difficulties, yet not prevent a wide range of potential future problems. Policy Governance®, however, was designed from scratch, on a sound theoretical foundation, to enable its practical applicability to all business, non-profit, and governmental boards."

The Future of Boards conference will feature a keynote address by Dr. Carver, as well as plenary discussions and workshops about the practical mechanics of Policy Governance®, recent trends in its use and spread, the relationship between ethics and governance, and even a mock trial where Policy Governance® principles will be put to the test in a court-like setting.

"Conference participants will experience increased interest, understanding, and motivation around the possibilities that emerge when boards choose owner-accountable, effective governance," says IPGA CEO, Howard Stier. "Anyone interested in leading-edge governance theory and practice must make a point of participating in The Future of Boards!"

International Policy Governance Association (IPGA)

International Policy Governance Association (IPGA)

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