Board meetings are an important place for decision-making and collaboration between the key stakeholders. They can be a catalyst to the growth of an organization, however only if they’re conducted effectively. Board members are often busy with schedules and lots of responsibility, making it important that they attend each meeting fully prepared.
Agenda items for board meeting agendas could include strategic updates and committee reports, presentations, special topics, new business and board member nominations. There is also a period of public comment in which parents who have issues with their school or individuals can address the board.
Managing the agenda for a board session requires the planning of the order of events and supplying attendees with the appropriate materials beforehand. It is also important to have the right supplies and equipment in the room. Flipcharts, whiteboards and videoconferencing or the teleconferencing system are all essential. It is also important that the boardroom is at ease, free of distractions, and has beverages and food on hand.
A board meeting should also include a discussion of the next actions, and make sure all decisions have been documented and distributed to the appropriate parties as soon as possible after the meeting. A digital board management tool such as Range can make all the difference. It allows for the quick creation of minutes and other action items that are then published and distributed to all attendees prior to when they leave the boardroom, or in a PDF more tips here format to be distributed later.
