Mapping outdoor organizations' governance

This article reports an exploratory study that mapped the governance structures of 12 New Zealand Outdoor Recreation Organizations. The Chair, CEO or equivalent and a new board member from each organization were interviewed, and publically available organizational documents were reviewed. An overview of governance theories was used to frame our study and organize the data; it also provided a language for the analysis of the organizations' governance practices. It was found that no single governance theory adequately described any of the governance practices of these organizations. Three themes emerged in response to the question about what constitutes good governance. These were steering the organization, monitoring and risk management and fostering good relationships. Respondents were able to identify some of the complexities and contradictions of their governance practices, but they were less able to identify what governance structure would allow their organizations to thrive.