Board meetings are the place where major corporate decisions – ranging from company policies to management appointments to financial control and response to crisis – are made. In these meetings, members present their perspectives discuss different ideas, and ultimately guide the company through the complexities of business. The best boards design agendas that promote constructive dialogue and yield results.

The preparation of board members prior to the meeting is essential to having the success of a meeting. Nothing erodes a meeting’s effectiveness more than having participants be rushed to read important documents during the meeting itself or, even more troubling, having materials provided late or not available in the first place.

It is helpful to make a list of the topics to be discussed prior to the meeting to ensure that board members are in a position and are able to anticipate. This helps the chair to prioritize critical topics for discussion and avoid repeating or expanding topics that have already been covered.

A strategic planning component is beneficial to place to the top of your list. This enables a Website complete review of the board’s strategies to determine whether it is in line with the goals or if there’s any gaps that require to be addressed.

It’s also a good idea to begin the meeting by delivering an inspirational or motivating message that re-energizes the boardroom and sets the tone for a productive discussion. It could be as easy and straightforward as telling a story about the organization’s accomplishments, or it can include the recognition of individual staff members ‘ and the contributions of board members.