A well-written agenda is necessary for a productive and successful board meeting. A well-written agenda provides the basis for discussion and decision-making and allows all stakeholders to leave the meeting with a shared understanding of what was discussed and resolved. An effective board meeting agenda can help you move quickly between topics of the meeting and avoid getting bogged down in details and make your meetings more enjoyable for everyone.
Begin with the most important items. Start with the most important items on your agenda. This lets the leader receive feedback and begin discussions while participants are fresh in their minds. This approach can help attendees to arrive early, since they know the most interesting discussions will begin shortly.
Examine all the reports presented by board members, committees, and executives. It is essential to follow up on any issues that may arise. It can also prevent the time of meetings being wasted on business issues that should have been dealt with by the various committees of the board.
Set aside time for long-term discussions and strategic discussions. This is crucial to the board’s ability to manage the organization effectively. Make sure you have a section for “old business” and “new business,” so that the board can review all of the relevant follow-ups and propose new strategies.
Long reports and other routine issues can slow down meetings and distract board members away from the most important issues. Utilizing the “parking lot” or “consent agenda” can reduce the time spent on these topics.
https://learnboardroom.com/tips-for-creating-an-effective-board-meeting-agenda/