A board agenda is the most important part of preparing for a board meeting, both for the host to create and for the attendees to review. It serves as the roadmap for a board of directors meeting, guiding discussions, decisions, and actions.
By mastering the essential elements of a board agenda, you can ensure meetings are productive, purposeful, and aligned with your organization’s goals. Learn the crucial elements of a well-structured board agenda.
What is a Board Meeting Agenda?
A board meeting agenda is a detailed outline of topics and issues to be addressed during a board meeting. It’s used as a guide for participants, so the meeting stays focused and covers all items necessary.
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Elements of an Effective Board Meeting Agenda
Planning on running a board meeting? Preparation begins with a well-formatted agenda that includes these 5 elements.
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
A formal call to order, usually led by the board chair, signifies the start of the meeting. This is followed by the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, ensuring all board members agree on the record of what transpired. The call to order and approval of minutes should be the first items on the board agenda.
2. Updates
The next section of the agenda should allocate time for committee leaders and key stakeholders to provide updates on ongoing projects or issues. This part of the agenda ensures the board is kept informed about the organization’s current status and any significant developments.
3. Discussion Items
Including key topics to deliberate on is critical for a productive meeting. It ensures important issues receive the necessary attention, and all diverse perspectives are considered. By clearly outlining discussion items in advance, board members can come prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to informed decision-making.
4. Action Items
Action items are the tasks or decisions that need to be addressed during the meeting. Including these on the agenda is essential for driving progress and ensuring the board’s discussions translate into tangible outcomes. Clearly defined action items provide the board with a focused list of objectives to accomplish, helping to maintain accountability and momentum.
5. Other Business and Adjournment
The other business segment is typically discussed toward the end of a board meeting, so it should be last on the agenda, right before adjournment. Including this on the agenda leaves room for board members to make motions and bring up topics for future discussion.
Unlock the Power of Board Management Software
Providing an organized agenda for your board meetings is not just a formality — it’s a strategic tool that enhances efficiency. Focused discussions are the foundation of successful and productive board meetings.
OnBoard’s board portal platform provides a drag-and-drop agenda builder that streamlines the agenda creation process. Board directors can start from scratch or import a previous agenda to build a template.
Other powerful features include:
- Diversity reporting that makes it easy to record, chart, and plan updates to board diversity goals
- Surveys for everything from selecting a meeting location to assessing board member engagement
- Limitless, secure system of record, so crucial documents are just a click away
Streamline board meetings and improve governance with OnBoard. Get started with our free board meeting minutes template.
Efficiently track and document board decisions with our Meeting Minutes Template
About The Author
- Adam Wire is a Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard who joined the company in 2021. A Ball State University graduate, Adam worked in various content marketing roles at Angi, USA Football, and Adult & Child Health following a 12-year career in newspapers. His favorite part of the job is problem-solving and helping teammates achieve their goals. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two dogs. He’s an avid sports fan and foodie who also enjoys lawn and yard work and running.
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