Productive Board Meetings

A focused approach to meeting planning is crucial for effective board meetings. This will ensure that you get the most value from every minute of your meeting. This means keeping the discussion on track, reigning in discussions that go off in the wrong direction, avoiding detours in discussion and reiterating agenda goals as necessary. It is also important to have a timekeeper in place to keep the agenda on track, and a person to take detailed notes so that everyone can read the notes later.

Distribute the agenda as well as all pertinent materials ahead of time to allow attendees to prepare. This will ensure that meetings on time and allow discussions to begin once everyone is at level on the topics of discussion.

Reduce the time you spend on routine items and reports, which tends to slow conversations and make participants bored and disengaged. Make sure to focus on important topics and strategic issues that help the organization grow.

Find patterns in your routine reports, and then convert them into action items the board can address during their next meeting. This is a way to inspire your board members, who will be tasked to solve a specific issue instead of simply responding to an issue.

Give your board members the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts during the meeting. This will help them feel heard https://boardroomonline.org/software-for-meeting-minutes-how-to-choose-the-best-one and appreciated, and it can also bring new ideas to be introduced that might have otherwise not been considered.