Board meetings should be engaging and productive, with a focus on the goals and strategic direction of the organization. By following these best practices boards can maximize meeting efficiency and engagement while enhancing efficiency of decision-making, governance, and leadership.
Make sure that the Attendance of all employees is guaranteed.
Opening the board meeting with an overview of highlights from prior pre-meeting phone or in-person meetings, as in addition to a review of the agenda at a high-level will help create a positive atmosphere for the remainder of the meeting. This will also ensure that a quorum is present to conduct business.
Offer a detailed discussion of the key items
Effective board meetings should contain the opportunity for deep discussion. However, overly long agendas can drown out participants with routine reports and “have to” items that hinder discussions on strategic and high-level issues.
Encourage Participation by Creating a Safe and respectful environment
A culture that encourages participation and respects a variety of perspectives is crucial to bringing people together in discussions. This can be accomplished by encouraging all board members speak up and refraining from slandering individuals and encouraging open dialog. This can be achieved by using the process of evaluating board members, facilitation techniques and encouraging productive and informed discussions.
Clearly define the process for decision-making to avoid disagreements, confusion, and miscommunication. Decide if decisions will be taken through consensus, majority vote, or any other method, and record the outcomes accurately in your board minutes. Be transparent about follow-up procedures and your accountability.