How to Create a Good Board Meeting Agenda

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The agenda is crucial to productive discussion and decision-making, no matter if your board meetings are held in person or via a web-based platform. Agendas for meetings of the board should be distributed in advance with all relevant materials and should allow ample preparation and discussion prior the meeting. This improves efficiency and ensures that meetings are productive and efficient.

The first item on the agenda of a board meeting should be an orderly call. This could include welcoming remarks from the chairperson and introductions or reading of the company’s mission and vision statements. This is a great opportunity to review the meeting rules and procedure.

The next step is to approve the approval of the minutes from earlier followed by the discussion and review of the current committee reports (e.g. governance finance, governance). This section should also contain the CEO’s or executive director’s update on the progress of the organization and an overview of the financial situation.

The organization’s bylaws or applicable laws may permit an open session to discuss sensitive issues. In addition it is recommended to provide space for guest speakers and open forum discussions on key agenda items.

Make sure you give board members the opportunity to express any concerns or questions during each of the discussion topics. If you notice that a subject takes too much time, consider moving it to the next board meeting or postpone it for consideration later. It is an ideal time at the end of the board meeting to have an open forum or discussion about the business issues that the board is planning to tackle going forward. It is also a great venue to make announcements or congratulate the board or highlight the accomplishments of the company.