Unlike a CEO who handles the day-to-day operations of an organization, a board of directors focuses in the bigger picture and is accountable for making top-level decisions. The board chooses and, if needed, replaces the CEO of a company and is accountable for the fiduciary obligation of the company to its shareholders and other stakeholders.
As a result a highly-performing and engaged board will approach staff as colleagues, not subordinates. Respectable and thoughtful members of the board listen to their staff and treat them as equal even if they do not agree with the employee’s viewpoint. No matter the size of an organization, board members will be expected to act on issues that affect the mission of the organization.
The minute books of meetings are essential to effective board governance. These minutes can help board members who aren’t present comprehend the events that took place during a meeting, and they can help clarify any strategies or metrics that are required to be monitored. Boards that are able to make clear, concise minutes are better prepared to navigate legal challenges.
To find out more about how you can create effective minutes of board meetings, check out this blog post by SSIR. The blog is a fantastic source for anyone interested in governance of boards with a particular special focus on boards that are not for profit.
