Board meetings are critical to the success of any organization. Both board members and the leadership team have to exert a lot effort and commitment. But how do you hold a board meeting that is efficient and effective? The answer lies in careful preparation with a well-structured agenda early distribution, smart scheduling, the right locations, and simple access to required materials.
Start the meeting by introducing the agenda, and giving a https://www.boardroomate.com/ warm welcome to everyone present, especially new members or guests. Set the tone for the meeting by stating the significance of the board’s meeting and the manner in which the decisions will be made. It’s also important to discuss the requirement for quorum, as stated in your governing documents, and ensure that all members are present to legally conduct business.
Talk about the most important agenda items first. This will ensure you give sufficient time for them to be discussed and considered. This will allow for the most engaging and energizing discussions and help you stick to your scheduled meeting time.
Define how you will take decisions during the meeting, be it through consensus or by voting. This will ensure that all board members are aware and agree on the decision-making process that is essential to ensuring that decisions are made efficiently.
It is important to give the board plenty of opportunity to discuss the unresolved issues that are known as « new business. » These will usually be discussions with the goal of reaching a consensus. If, however, you decide that further research is needed or a decision is not able to be reached at the meeting It is beneficial to make a section in the agenda to address these issues. These items can be addressed at subsequent meetings, or in follow-up discussions.