A well-planned agenda for a board meeting sets the tone and ensures that the meeting is successful in achieving its objectives. It creates a clear flow and allows for discussions of new ideas. By sticking to the agenda items limits discussions that are off topic and ensures all important topics get sufficient time. The order of the agenda items also reflects the importance each topic plays to the success of the company.
Start the meeting by taking on the most difficult items first. This method helps to energize the board, keeps their minds fresh, and makes them feel more ready to tackle other crucial topics.
In this section, important department and committee head members share relevant reports and updates. The executive director usually gives the first report, followed by any other relevant committee reports. Sharing these updates gives the board an overview of the organization’s health and helps them align their decisions with their strategic goals.
Board members bring fresh perspectives to discussions. Leaving these unexplored could result in poor decision-making and missed opportunities. The inclusion of this open floor session on the agenda will encourage discussion and provides a wide range of perspectives that help to create more balanced outcomes.
Based on the size of your board, you may want to consider setting a specific amount of time per agenda item. This will reduce the duration of discussions and help you determine whether or not it’s required to assign an item to a different committee. This is particularly useful for time-sensitive issues that require rapid decision-making.