Managing the Agenda for Board Meetings
Board meetings are an important venue for making decisions and collaboration among the key stakeholders. They can be a catalyst for the growth of a business however, only if they’re conducted efficiently. Due to their busy schedules, board members are expected to be prepared for every meeting.
The agenda for a meeting of the board may include strategic updates, committee reports and presentations as well as special topics or initiatives such as new business, or nominating members to the board. There is also a period of public comment, during which parents who are dissatisfied with their school or other individuals can speak to the board.
To organize the agenda of the board meeting, you need to determine the order in which the items will be discussed and provide the attendees with the appropriate materials. It is important to have the right supplies and equipment available. This includes whiteboards, flip charts and a videoconferencing, or teleconferencing system. It’s also important to make certain that the boardroom is at ease and free of distractions and that there are refreshments or food available.
A board meeting should also include a discussion about the next steps, and ensure board room review that all decisions have been recorded and sent to the appropriate parties as soon as possible following the meeting. This is where an online board management tool like Range can make a significant difference. It can allow for quick creation of minutes and action items that are then published and distributed to all attendees prior to when they leave the boardroom or saved as a PDF file to be distributed later.