A well-written agenda for board meetings is among the most important elements for an effective and productive board meeting. A well-written agenda gives the basis for discussion and decision-making and allows all parties to leave the meeting with a clear understanding of the issues discussed and voted on. An agenda that is well-organized for a board meeting can allow you to quickly move between topics, not get bogged in the details, and make meetings more entertaining.

Start with the most important issues. Start with the most important items on your agenda. This allows the leadership to get feedback and start discussions while attendees are fresh in their minds. This method can also help to encourage your attendees to arrive on time since they are aware that the most exciting conversations will begin right away.

Examine all reports submitted by the committees, board members and www.learnboardroom.com/what-is-the-difference-between-donor-management-software-and-membership-management-software/ executives. This is necessary to ensure that any required follow-ups are addressed. This can also help avoid meetings from being squandered on items that should have been dealt with by the various committees of the board.

Make time for lengthy discussions and planning. This is key to the board’s ability to guide the organization effectively. Make sure you include the section for “old business” and “new business,” so that the board can review all relevant follow-ups and propose new strategies.

Often long reports and other routine items can drag the meeting down and distract board members from more important issues to be addressed. The “parking lot agenda” or “consent schedule” could reduce the time spent on these items.