Post on 28-Nov-2014
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Effective Board Meetings
To have mission-focused, strategic discussions ◦ Financial oversight
ensure adequate resources◦ Organizational planning
Oversee development of and monitor Strategic Plan Determine, monitor & assess programs and services
Meetings are not for◦ Dealing with operational or day-to-day matters◦ A reports-read-a-thon◦ Out of the blue issues◦ Personal agendas or pet projects◦ Airing personal grievances
Why are We Meeting?
Components: Mission moment Mega Issue Consent items Action Items Discussion Items Informational Items Executive Session New Business
It’s all about the agenda
What is missing from the list above???
Plan
•President & Executive Director identify: 1) what carries over from previous meetings, 2) recurring items, 3) likely new topics
Seek
input
•Share the drafty draft with the Board for feedback
Refine
•Revise based on Board input & organize items strategically
Share
•Distribute to the board
•Share with the membership
Collaborate to Build the Agenda
Primary function is to help board members make informed decisions
Strive for objectivity & a balance: neither too little nor too much information
Recruit board members to take ownership of specific agenda items◦ They’ll create the document & present it during
the meeting Templates provide consistency
Documents
Dissect the agenda with Executive Director◦ Identify controversial issues & ones that can turn
into a time-suck Create a contingency plan
Garner support◦ Reach out to key individuals
Frame the Issues◦ Create/provide context◦ Determine how issues will be presented
Set ground rules
Preparing for the Meeting
Issu
e #1
Set the tone & model desired behaviors◦ Welcome different opinions to support thoughtful
decision-making and to prevent group-think◦ Challenge ideas, not individuals◦ Be polite, and treat all with respect
Logistics – delegate ◦ Keeping Time◦ Directing the flow of discussion◦ Monitoring engagement◦ Getting support◦ Providing for creature comforts◦ Dealing with common problems◦ Making adjustments
At the meeting
Leadership de-brief Thank board members & celebrate
achievements Disseminate draft minutes Communicate actions and key outcomes to
the membership Work with the Executive Director to identify
necessary follow-up and delegate activities to board members, as appropriate
After the meeting
To Sum Up1. Plan
2. Engage
3. Strategize
4. Implement
5. Evaluate
6. Adjust
Board Agenda Filter: http://ow.ly/pvVRx (.pdf)
Anatomy of a consent agenda: http://ow.ly/pvVHs (.pdf)
Creating an agenda: http://ow.ly/pvVAz & http://ow.ly/pvW8Z (.doc)
Board Issues Filter: http://ow.ly/pvVYg (.pdf) Guests at Board Meetings, sample policy:
http://ow.ly/pvWjI (.doc)
Resources: handouts
Boardroom Chemistry: Getting your Board to Govern as a Team
Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards
Meeting & Exceeding Expectations: a Guide to Successful Board Meetings
Taming the Troublesome Board Member
Resources: books
All available from: www.boardsource.org
BoardSource, www.boardsource.org Nonprofit Center, www.rchcae.com/ Parliamentary Motions Guide,
http://ow.ly/pFbhx (.pdf) @AMAnet @betterboards @BoardSource @theBoardDoctor @HarvardBiz
Resources: online
http://ow.ly/q6xPA