#Board meeting agenda template how to#

Help retain great board directors (it takes a lot of work to recruit an effective and diverse board, you don’t want to lose anyone over badly run meetings!)īoard meeting agendas follow a pretty standard form but organizations often use that form differently.

Create a record of what was discussed at a meeting.

Make it easier for staff or board secretaries to follow along and take minutes.

Help organizations get the most value from their board directors.

Reduce the number of off-topic conversations that take place.

Set time limits for the discussion of items to ensure meetings don’t go over time.

Help attendees understand other attendees’ roles.

Set the stage for collaborative conversations.

Inform attendees what needs to be done about each agenda item.

Ensure everything that needs to be dealt with at a board meeting is addressed.

Why is it good to have an agenda for a board meeting?īoard meeting agendas set the direction and tone of the meeting. That includes where and when the meeting will take place, who will be present, what their roles are at the meeting and what items are on the agenda for discussion.Īgenda items can include things like approving old meeting minutes, listening to staff or committee reports, approving financial expenditures, discussing strategic directions and whatever else needs to be discussed.Īgenda items are listed in chronological order and allotted a period of time in the agenda for the discussion to take place. What is a meeting agenda?Ī board meeting agenda is a document that lays out everything that will take place during a board meeting.

#Board meeting agenda template how to#

Wondering what an effective board meeting agenda looks like? We’ll give you an overview, detailed instructions on how to create an effective agenda, and a board meeting agenda template to use to make your own. In fact, good board meeting agendas are key parts of good board and organizational governance. Good board meeting agendas solve this problem. Or unplanned topics could use up time set aside for time-sensitive conversations. Board members might decide to step down if their time is consistently not respected. In fact, sometimes the off-topic conversations or additional time end up being the most productive part of the meeting.īut board meetings that routinely go over time or off-topic could end up causing organizational problems. It usually isn’t a big deal if the board and staff present have the extra time. The agenda should also allow space for any other unplanned discussions.Nearly everyone who works in a non-profit or association has sat through a board meeting that went off-topic or ran over time. It may also be beneficial to note who is leading each segment to ensure clarity of roles. Time can be allocated for each item on the agenda to keep the meeting on schedule. Expressing gratitude for participationĮnsure the agenda is circulated well in advance of the meeting date to allow attendees enough time to prepare. Understanding of actions and who is responsibleī. Discuss potential agenda items for the future meetingsĪ. Schedule or reschedule subsequent meetingsĬ. Discuss date, time, and location of the next meetingī. Any updates or items for board’s informationĪ. Announcements or reports from board membersĪ. Other Business or Special Announcementsī.

Deferring topics to committees or future meetings as needed Presentation of new topics for considerationĬ. Identification of decision-making responsibilityĪ.

Presentation of matters needing decisionī.

Executive Committee – Strategic initiatives updatesĪ. Governance Committee – Policy revisions or introductionsĭ. Audit Committee – Compliance and risk updatesĬ. Finance Committee – Financial status updateī. Brief on strategic initiatives and progressĪ. Overview of activities since the last meetingī.