The way the board meetings are conducted can have a significant impact on how efficient and informative the discussions are. It is important to have clear expectations about how meetings should function and how they will be conducted.

In general, board meetings shouldn’t be focused on reading reports. Instead, the chairs of committees must review their reports prior to the meeting and present them during the meeting. The board can then discuss each report and the information it contains within the context of the larger goals of the business.

Board members should be able to talk openly and freely to have productive discussions. This also means that board members must respect each other their right to speak. While there are exceptions interfering with other board members is generally considered unprofessional.

A common error is to present a problem or issue for discussion without having a clear recommendation on what the board ought to do. This can make the conversation feel aimless and long. Instead, begin with a general suggestion for action, and then let everyone take a look at the pros and cons of each idea.

Having a board secretary or any other knowledgeable person take notes during meetings can ensure that important information is not lost. It is important to be clear about how the board will make its decisions, whether via the vote or consensus or otherwise, and who will be responsible for the preparation of the minutes.

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