A well-planned agenda for the board meeting sets the tone and ensures the meeting accomplishes its goals. It allows for a consistent flow and allows for discussions of new ideas. Sticking to the agenda items will reduce off-topic discussions and ensure that all relevant issues are given sufficient attention. The order of the agenda items also shows how important each topic is for the success of the organization.
Begin by addressing first the most difficult topics. This approach helps your board stay motivated and keeps them sharp in their minds, and helps you feel more prepared to tackle difficult subjects.
During this segment, department and committee heads will provide important information and updates. Typically the executive director will present the first report. Then comes any relevant committee reports. These updates give the board comprehensive information about the organization and assist them to align their decisions with their strategic goals.
Board members can bring surprising insights to discussions. In boardchatroom.com the absence of these insights, they could result in wasted opportunities and poor decision-making. In the agenda, this open floor session promotes discussion and allows for a variety of perspectives that will result in well-rounded results.
Based on the size of your board, consider setting a specific amount of time for each agenda item. This can help limit long discussions and lets you know that there is a need to put the item on hold or send the item to another committee. This is especially useful for urgent issues that require a quick decision.