The board room is where your organization’s most important decisions are made. Effective board meetings are vital to the success of your business whether they result in an innovative approach to strategic planning or help you avoid making a costly mistake. Boardroom etiquette is important, as are a good understanding of parliamentary procedure and the ability to spark productive discussions.
A well-planned agenda for meetings is the basis for an effective board. It defines the purpose of the meeting, outlines the critical issues that need to be discussed and directs the flow of the discussion. It also enables the board to discuss all the required topics within the allocated time and greatly improves the overall governance of a company.
The president will call the meeting to order when the time is established. He or she will then proceed to call the roll to confirm that there is a quorum. After all attendees have been accounted for the agenda and prior minutes are approved. The board then goes over any old issues that are not resolved and then discusses any new items that have been added to the agenda. After these issues have been addressed, the board may close the meeting.
To ensure a smooth boardroom, it is best to limit time spent on reports or “have to” items. This allows the board to dedicate a greater portion of the meeting to discussing strategic direction and other important subjects. The board could also reduce the number of reports presented by asking the officers and committee chairs to present only the most important information in a brief and brief report prior to the meeting.
