Tips for Board Meeting Preparation

Board meetings are essential for making strategic decisions, setting corporate policies, and more. They can be dull and filled with routine issues. They also require a lot of time to prepare. While it may seem like the tedious task of preparing for an annual board meeting is another business burden, well-prepared directors can leave a positive impression on fellow board members that goes beyond the surface.

Start planning meetings for the board by drafting an agenda that includes the time for each item to be discussed. It is important to design the agenda based on the number of hours try these out that are needed that will allow you enough time to talk about each topic in depth and allow for questions.

When the agenda is completed the agenda should be sent out to board members so that they can begin preparing. At least a day or so before the meeting, send the agenda to the board members. Boards that use a portal can collect and send all the necessary documents needed for a meeting by simply pressing on a button.

You need to decide the formality or casualness your board would like its meetings to be. This will impact the meeting structure and the manner in which you address other members. Some boards, like employ Robert’s Rules of Order which is an official system that allows calling other board members “Mr.” and “Madam”. It is crucial to be familiar with the rules regardless of the format you select. This will ensure that you do not be awed at the beginning of your first meeting.