The role of governance in any organization is crucial to its success. The Governing Board, in partnership with management, determines guiding policy, the hospital's vision, mission and goals. While management is charged with implementation, the Governing Board is responsible for oversight of the organization's aspirations, purpose and focus.

The hospital management team receives years of formal education and on-the-job training. Board members receive much less. Yet the performance of both the Board and management is intricately entwined and equally important to the successful operation of the organization.

The WSHA Trustee Orientation manual is intended to enhance trustee and governing board effectiveness as they successfully guide the efforts of Washington state hospitals into the future. Both new and experienced trustees will find value in the publication. The manual can be used as an initial educational method and as an ongoing reference.

The manual is intended to complement existing trustee educational materials that have been developed by individual hospitals. In particular, the chapter titled, "My Hospital" provides a framework for hospitals to create or further enhance an existing manual that is facility specific.

The reader should note that "trustee" is used throughout the manual and is intended to be inclusive of "commissioners". Sections specific to public hospital districts are shaded to highlight unique aspects of these governmental entities. In addition, the appendix includes relevant excerpts from the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts (AWPHD) Legal Manual to further clarify commissioner specific issues.