The existence of a board of directors can be an excellent method of ensuring that your business is managed efficiently and that decisions are made in an open fair and honest manner. However, in order for the board to be effective, it’s crucial that all members are engaged and attending every meeting. Poor meeting attendance causes an inefficiency and contributes to the decline of effective leadership. Here are some suggestions to basic board evaluations improve your board meetings.
Plan ahead: Ensure that the board members have received pertinent documents, such as reports, financial statements, and background materials prior to the day of the meeting. This will ensure that they are prepared with thoughtful questions. The early delivery of information gives board members a chance to check their schedules and ensure they’re free to attend.
Start your meeting promptly. Call the meeting to order and confirm the quorum. This will show the board that they respect everyone’s time.
Establish a clear system for making decisions: A clear process for making decisions helps keep the discussion on track, and prevents distractions or diverting the discussion.
Encourage active participation. It isn’t easy to create an environment which all members feel at ease sharing ideas and opinions. Chairpersons can play a crucial role in promoting participation by inviting input from both sides and helping to facilitate an open and balanced discussion. They can also set the ground rules for discussion to make sure that everyone has a concise message and equal time for all participants.