Effective Board Meetings are a key element in the strategic direction and governance of an organization. Meeting structure, length, design agenda, as well as preparation for board members are all key factors in maximizing the effectiveness of board meetings. In addition, minutes of meetings as well as the follow-up of action items and the implementation of decisions are crucial to documenting the institution’s memory and providing a precise record of the board’s decisions (BoardEffect).
A regular schedule of board meetings will provide an opportunity for the board discuss and deliberate the strategic issues that are crucial to the success of the business in the long-term. A well-crafted agenda for board meetings with a simple distribution is the foundation of productive sessions. It’s essential that all board members are provided with the meeting materials well before the meeting to allow adequate time for review and prepare for discussions.
The first item at any board meeting should include brief overview and a current status of the company’s improvements since the last meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the most significant accomplishments and milestones, and to discuss areas for improvement.
The board should then discuss strategies and come up with an implementation plan to move forward. The board should also come up with specific metrics to evaluate the success of these strategic plans, such as tangible key performance indicators that align to the goals of the organization.
