All meetings should start on time. They should be done at a venue that is conducive to conducting a business meeting (i.e., AV, room set-up, etc.) and don’t forget the refreshments.
The key to a well-run meeting starts with a well thought out agenda. Your agenda should be a product created by the board chair and the chief staff executive.
The agenda should have a timeline attached to each item, it should include a consent calendar and clearly identify if there are any action items that need to be addressed.
Remember, you don’t have to discuss every item at every board meeting. Here’s a sample agenda to get you started and should be completed in one hour:
- Introduction/Roll Call (5 minutes)
- Approval of the minutes (5 minutes)
- Chairman’s Report (5 minutes)
- Mega issue discussion (40 minutes)
- Consent Calendar (approval of the consent calendar takes no time)
- Finance Committee Report
- Government Relations Committee Report
- Education Committee Report
- Leadership Committee Report
- Membership Committee Report
- Foundation Report
- Other (5 minutes)
- Adjournment (date of the next meeting)
Please note that the committee reports under the consent calendar could be a full agenda item at any meeting.
It all depends on the time of year and what those standing committees are working on and whether there is a need for board approval (i.e., taking a position on a legislative matter, endorsing a candidate, etc.).
It should also be noted that any item on the consent calendar can be pulled off and discussed at the full board meeting.
Having said that, the more items you can put under the consent agenda, the smoother your board meetings will go. And, stick to the times you’ve attached to each item.
Good luck with your next board meeting!
For a comprehensive overview of a board chair and
board member best practices packet by the nonprofit alliance at the Kellogg
Community College go HERE.
