When your board meets, you want to ensure that everyone is well-prepared. One method to accomplish this is to distribute materials for meetings at least a week prior to the actual meeting. This gives both new and veteran members a chance to review the agenda and prepare for discussion.
It’s also essential to communicate with your board prior to the meeting. This will allow any negative information to be announced in advance, so it won’t be an issue at the time of the meeting. It’s also a great time to discuss with committees or officers who will be presenting their reports during the meeting. A clear communication line between the board and management is important, especially when there are issues that require immediate attention.
Limit the discussion topics in the meeting to topics which are listed on the agenda. This will allow you to move through each subject in a timely manner and ensure the board’s valuable time is utilized.
While some discussions could result in disagreements, do not let them discourage you. Boards which encourage diversity of thought generally make better choices than those with one point of view. A little disagreement can be an excellent thing.
It is crucial to review past decisions made by the board at each meeting. This will help you to avoid making the same mistakes again in future meetings, and it will highlight areas for improvement. It is also beneficial to keep a log of the decisions taken in case of future disagreements.