A well-written agenda for board meetings ensures productive, engaging discussions with a clear strategy to address the most important topics. Whatever the format of your meetings are held in person or on the web the use of a well-planned agenda will allow members to stay engaged throughout the entire duration.
An effective agenda begins with an unambiguous and concise call to order which signifies the beginning of the meeting, or any other proceedings. This can include the name of the chairperson and a brief statement of the meeting’s purpose.
The agenda for your board’s meeting should include a short report or presentation from the CEO or executive directors on the current performance of the business and its key initiatives. It is also beneficial to include a section on committee reports from the governance, finance and nominating committees if needed.
Allocate time for any guest presentations or open forums your organization might be hosting. You should also reserve space for any special announcements or celebrations. You should also allow space for any future business issues that require to be discussed or follow-up on.
Distractions from discussions is a frequent issue that can sabotage the flow of your meeting. Be sure to include an area for parking at the end of your agenda so that you can put forward new ideas for further discussion. It’s also a good idea to include an estimate of the time each item should be for discussion, to allow you to avoid extending the board meeting schedule. To ensure that your agenda stays on course, if you’re not able to agree on an item during the board meeting, move it to the next.
