Board meetings are meant to be productive and enjoyable and focused on the goals and the strategic direction of the organization. By following these best practices, boards can increase the effectiveness of their meetings, and increase participation, while also increasing efficiency, decision making, and governance.
Attendance at Quorum is Required
The meeting’s opening with an overview of highlights from prior pre-meeting phone and/or in-person meetings, as also a brief review of the agenda at a high-level will help set a positive tone for the remainder of the board meeting. This will ensure that a quorum of members is present to conduct business.
Discuss in-depth the critical items
Providing time for in-depth discussions is a key element of effective board meetings. The length of agendas can overburden participants with routine reports or “have to” items, which can hinder discussions on strategic and high-level topics.
Encourage participation by fostering a safe and respectful environment
A culture that encourages participation and respects diverse views is essential to engage in discussions. This can be achieved by ensuring that all board members speak up and avoid slandering people, and promoting an open dialog. This can be achieved by using the process of evaluating board members, facilitation techniques and encouraging a constructive and informed discussions.
The decision-making process should be clearly defined to avoid confusion, disagreements and miscommunication. Be clear about whether the decision-making process will be based on majority vote, consensus or some other method. document the results accurately in the board’s minutes. Be transparent about your follow-up procedures and your accountability.