The preparation for your board meeting can be a daunting task especially if this is the first time you’ve attended a board session or in the event that you are not experienced. Being prepared for your board meeting will ensure that you receive valuable advice and insights from experienced leaders and strategic counsel. The first step is to ensure that all board members have read and understood the relevant materials and are clear on the agenda items.
The next step is to determine the purpose of the meeting which will aid in shaping the board’s discussions and decision-making. It’s also a good idea to look over the minutes of your previous meeting, as it will provide a snapshot of the changes you made, and provide information on what should be discussed at the next meeting.
Last but not least, take your time selecting the agenda items. Your board will be able to conduct the meeting more efficiently if they prioritize the most important issues first. This also helps avoid the meeting getting stuck on the lesser important items. Additionally, make sure each agenda item is clearly defined as a chance to seek or provide information and not simply to make a decision.
Send your board agenda early enough so that everyone has ample time to read it and then review it. This is particularly important for virtual or physical meetings that require quorum participation. Inspect the members of the executive team that are responsible for reporting and ensure they have all the required documents.
