5 Tips for Running a Successful Board Meeting
A successful board meeting requires a range of skills, ranging from the preparation and facilitation of productive discussion to the preparation of material for board meetings. A well-run meeting should also result in actions items that are followed up on following the meeting to help drive forward. The main ingredient to success in all of these areas is effective board governance which allows for a diverse range of perspectives and encourages productive discussions, which lead to new insights.
Create an agenda and distribute it in advance
Effective board meetings begin with a well-prepared agenda that sets the stage for discussion and ensures that the most important issues are addressed. Board members should be urged to review agendas in advance of the meeting and suggest changes or additions if necessary. A concise and clear agenda can help keep the meeting on track, preventing discussions from getting off-topic or becoming overly lengthy.
Conduct a roll call to determine quorum
Make sure that all board members are able to be present at the meeting by making sure that all requirements for quorum are in place. This can be done by using a roll call, an online tool, such as Krisp or the document that governs the meeting to determine number of people required to conduct business.
Encourage Participation
Discussions that are productive require active participation by all participants. This can be facilitated by encouraging board members to speak themselves, and reaching out to those who might not be as vocal, and by facilitating discussions using tools such as decision matrices and SWOT analyses. It is also important to be respectful and respect all opinions regardless of whether or whether they agree with the prevailing ideas of the meeting.