How to Conduct Board Meetings

The manner in which the board meetings are conducted is a major factor in how well the discussion goes and how effective they are. To get the most out of every meeting, it’s important to establish clear expectations for how meetings are supposed to function and the manner in which the decisions will be made.

Generally speaking, board meetings should not be dominated by reading reports. Instead, the chairs of committees should review their reports before they present them at the meeting. Then the board can discuss each report and the information contained in it within the context of the larger goals of the business.

Board members must be able to talk openly and freely to have productive conversations. But, this also means that they have to respect the rights of others to speak in turn. Although there are some exceptions interfering with other board members is generally considered unprofessional.

It is a common omission to bring the topic or issue for discussion without a clear direction of what the board should be doing. This can cause the discussion to seem stale and boring. Instead, begin with a general proposal for actions and let everyone consider the pros and cons of each idea.

A board secretary or any other knowledgeable person take notes during the meeting will assist in ensuring that crucial information is not lost. But, it is crucial to communicate clearly how the board will make its decisions–whether view website by the voting process or consensus–and who will be responsible for preparing the minutes.