Policy 2.1.3 Governance Principles

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POLICY - 2.1.3 Governance Principles Page 1 
 
Policy: 2.1.3  
Approved By: Trust Council 
Approval Date: September 12, 1992 
Amendment Date(s):  September 17, 2009 
Policy Holder: Chief Administrative Officer 
 
GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES 
Purpose 
To state Trust Council's, and therefore the Islands Trust's, commitment to strive toward an effective, 
responsible, fair and democratic system of government. These principles represent the shared values and 
beliefs of the Trustees regarding governance in keeping with the Trust's legislative mandate and policies. 
 
A. Definitions 
n/a 
B. Policy (Guidelines) 
As the Islands Trust, these are the shared governance values and beliefs to which we subscribe: 
1.  Teamwork 
To provide a forum for all organizational members to use their individual strengths 
cooperatively toward a common organizational direction. 
2.  Openness 
To make informed and responsible decisions on behalf of the public and Islands Trust through 
full and open debate, opportunities for public involvement, and the provision of quality 
information. 
3. Fairness 
To strive for a high standard of administrative fairness and to recognize the principles of 
natural justice in decision-making processes.  
4.  Respect 
To respect a trustee's right to hold office and a trustee's role as an advocate for his/her 
constituents. 
5.  Leadership 
To focus on process, required decisions, and desired results while depersonalizing the politics 
of decision-making. 

 
POLICY - 2.1.3 Governance Principles Page 2 
6.  Direction 
To provide leadership and guidance in decision-making processes, providing direction to staff, 
and creating a vision for the organization, the Trust Area, and the future of the islands. 
7.  Chair 
To respect the role of the Chair and to support the Chair in the provision of leadership within 
the context of Islands Trust policy, decision-making, and legislative processes. 
8.  Equity 
To balance the interests of all groups and individuals with a clear decision-making process in a 
responsible and fair manner. 
9.  Service Quality 
To strive for the provision of optimal level of public services compatible with available human, 
fiscal and material resources in a cost efficient and effective manner. 
10.  Responsible and Responsive 
To provide public services and processes in a manner responsive to public needs and 
responsible to the Trust's mandate and policies. 
11.  Fiscal resources 
To ensure sound, prudent and responsible management of available organizational resources. 
12.  Community Involvement 
To continually strive to encourage community involvement in decision-making and policy-
setting processes. 
13.  Policy Development 
To establish and implement policies that are sensitive and responsible to community needs 
and that are in accordance with the Islands Trust's established policy and legislated mandate. 
14.  Inter-agency Relations 
To proactively initiate and develop cooperative relations with other government juri

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