A well-organized board meeting is a foundation for growth and innovation. To do this, it’s essential to establish clear objectives and a framework for meetings, and make sure that the proper people are in room at the right time. The more the board members feel respected for their time and knowledge the more likely they will engage in discussions and make decisions.

It is crucial to share the agenda and all materials in advance, with ideally 3-4 days prior to the meeting. This allows board members to look over the materials and formulate their thoughts and opinions ahead of the meeting. This lets the chair begin the meeting with a brief summary of the meeting’s goals and the primary input sought. This will help to energize the meeting from the beginning and keep it focused throughout the meeting.

Prioritizing items according to their importance and impact is crucial when creating the agenda. It is also important to make sure that all important topics have been covered. This will allow the board members to concentrate on strategic decisions and not just on updates. This will help make meetings more productive.

Adhering to the time frames in the agenda will stop board members from becoming distracted. Affixing noncontroversial items to the agenda for consent can save time for deeper discussion on more strategic topics. Finaly, allowing the chair the option to use the «off-agenda» at the end of a meeting, to push tangents which need more time can assist in avoiding distractions and reducing wasted time.

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