Getting the Most Out of Your Board Meeting

Getting the most from your board meeting requires you plan real-time discussions that inspire commitment and inspire. The majority of the meeting should be devoted to discussing strategies and agreeing on actions plans. This is the job of board members and their various skills can be extremely beneficial.

The board meeting should begin on time to show respect to fellow board members who have busy schedules. Beware of letting committee reports run long, as this could derail the rest of the agenda. To keep everyone on the right path the chair should summarise the major points of the minutes and board document management package from the last meeting before moving on to the next item.

Make sure that your board documents are released early enough that directors can review prior to the meeting, but not so that the information is outdated and forgotten. The ideal time to send out board materials is three or four days prior to the board meeting. This gives directors enough time to review the materials. Regular preparation provides board members with the tools they require to focus on governance, and helps them to attend meetings. Use a collaboration software for board materials to ensure that all members can review and edit documents, even after they’re shared. All members will be immediately updated with any changes, ensuring that everyone is on the same level.