How to Improve Board Member Engagement: 5 Tips

Engaging in board meetings is important because it directly influences the effectiveness and success of an organization. When board members actively participate, they bring diverse perspectives, contribute valuable insights, and collaborate on decisions to support the organization’s goals. Their active participation fosters accountability, encourages transparency, and strengthens the overall governance structure.

Read on to learn key tips to improve member engagement while running a board meeting, and discover how board management software enhances communication, tracks engagement metrics, and helps boards collaborate remotely or from the boardroom.

Overview: Board Member Engagement

Effective board member engagement can positively impact the entire organization. Top benefits of improved engagement include: 

• Better preparation: Engaged board members will put more thought and effort into studying board materials and previous meeting minutes as they prepare for a board meeting. This leads to more informed discussions and better decision-making.
• A diverse range of views: Big personalities can have an outsized presence on board meetings, leaving less space for introverted board members. Engaged administrators promote collaboration from the entire board to introduce a diverse set of opinions.
• A higher sense of accountability: Engaged board members typically feel more accountable to their roles and the larger organization.
• Organizational advocacy: Directors who feel inspired by their work are more likely to speak positively about the organization to outside parties, adding further value to the operation.

A board engagement plan helps boards outline the steps and procedures they use to energize their teams. The first step is for the executive directors to evaluate the current state of board member engagement and decide where improvements are most necessary.

For instance, does board member conduct leave something to be desired? Are certain board members lacking enthusiasm around their duties? 

Setting expectations helps the board formulate official standards to drive board governance and meet predefined goals. 

Tips to Improve Board Member Engagement

1. Invest in the Right Technology

Utilizing boardroom technology enhances engagement by streamlining access and improving communication, leading to higher participation in board activities. 

A board portal platform, such as OnBoard, eliminates inefficiencies by providing a single, secure hub where all board members can view and collaborate on important documents from anywhere in the world. 

A signature feature of OnBoard includes built-in-engagement analytics, which provide real-time insights into board member interactions with the platform. 

2. Encourage Member-to-Member Communication

Open communication is vital to building healthy relationships among board members. Board meetings may not be a daily occurrence, but consistent interactions among members fosters a greater sense of camaraderie and leads to improved collaboration and brainstorming. 

The use of virtual communication tools, such as a secure messaging platform, Zoom, or other software allows board members to collaborate on their own time regardless of their present location.

3. Conduct Routine Board Evaluations

All improvement begins with introspection. Board evaluations are a straightforward method of delivering feedback to board members. Performance evaluations often include measuring their accountability, effectiveness, and transparency. Evaluations can take the form of 1-on-1 meetings or a board engagement survey. Board directors use the results to refocus their efforts and maintain better standards. 

A board evaluation should examine the following aspects:

• The extent to which each board member fulfills their responsibilities and how they contribute to larger company objectives 
• How well each member follows established procedures and protocols
• The behavioral patterns of each director, the culture of the board and committees, and how they support the board’s functionality

To learn more, check out: How to Conduct a Board Evaluation in 5 Easy Steps 

4. Host Virtual Happy Hours

It’s a simple truth, but one that’s easy for organizations to overlook: Happy team members produce better work. Hosting casual events like virtual happy hours where board members can spend time together outside of a work context can deepen board member relationships. Each board member gets to know their colleagues as individuals rather than simply as coworkers, building deeper connections. 

Team-building activities, such as scavenger hunts or trivia nights, can help people let their guards down and have a nice time with their colleagues. Stronger relationships can come in handy when debating the merits of a motion during a board meeting.

5. Leverage Members’ Expertise

Each member of the board of directors should bring a wealth of experience to inform their choices. Tapping into a director’s unique skill set makes them feel valued and motivates them to deliver better results. OnBoard’s Skills Tracking capability lets users categorize their members’ strengths, ensuring skills align to board objectives. 

Drive Improved Engagement with OnBoard

Board member engagement allows your team to streamline its collective work processes and push your organization to the next level. 

OnBoard’s leading board management portal improves collaboration among board members, measures engagement key performance indicators (KPIs), and helps boards maintain security and compliance.

Corporations, nonprofits, governments, schools, and banks all trust OnBoard to support their decision-making and deliver better results. 

Download our free Board Meeting Minutes Template today to see how OnBoard supports modern governance.