How to Write a Compliance Committee Agenda (+ Free Template)

  • By: Adam Wire
  • August 1, 2023
Compliance Committee Agenda
Reading Time: 4 minutes

When dealing with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) management, staying organized and on track proves essential. The importance of a compliance committee agenda cannot be overstated. It ensures the committee meeting runs smoothly and efficiently while enabling attendees to come prepared with questions or ideas. 

A well-crafted compliance committee agenda should be detailed enough to provide guidance, but also concise enough that it doesn’t take long to read. Top-class board meeting management software like OnBoard makes it effortless to prepare for meetings with a drag-and-drop agenda builder.

What is a Compliance Committee Agenda?

What is a compliance committee agenda? A compliance committee agenda is a simple document used to outline key discussion points and topics. The compliance committee agenda helps to ensure an efficient and effective meeting.

It should include all relevant information such as meeting date, time, location, and items to be discussed. It should also include any additional notes or instructions for the committee members.

A successful compliance committee meeting agenda:

  • Keeps the meeting on track and ensures all topics are addressed promptly
  • Sets expectations for the attendees, so they know what topics will be discussed and can come prepared with questions or ideas
  • Serves as a record of the meeting, allowing committee members to refer back to it later.
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How to Write a Compliance Committee Agenda

Unlike a board committee charter, a compliance committee agenda isn’t too long or complicated to write. All you need are a few essential elements to help the meeting run smoothly and efficiently. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to write the perfect compliance committee agenda:

1. Define Compliance Topics

First, you should define the topics to be discussed. This includes any compliance-related matters, such as regulatory updates, changes to procedures or policies, and other important information. For instance, if you’re in the race to ensure SOC 2 Type II compliance, you should outline relevant topics such as third-party vendor risk management, data security protocols, or incident response plans.

2. Set Meeting Objectives

What do you intend to accomplish during the meeting? Write at least one objective for each topic, so everyone knows what is expected of them. For example, if you intend to discuss data security protocols, you may set a goal of outlining the steps to ensure the protection of customer information. 

3. Follow a Simple Format

Simplicity is vital when it comes to writing a compliance committee agenda. Use a simple format that includes the meeting date and time, location, and list of topics with their corresponding objectives.

4. Provide Sufficient Background Information

To ensure everyone is on the same page, you should provide background information for each topic. This could include relevant news articles, documents, or reports offering further insight into each matter.

5. Assign Responsibilities and Action Items

Finally, you should assign responsibilities and action items to ensure everyone is held accountable. This could include researching a specific issue, drafting a policy update, establishing a working relationship with other committees, e.g., the audit committee, on their standards, or making recommendations to the board.

Compliance Committee Agenda Template

Below, you’ll find a compliance committee agenda template to give you an idea of what it should look like. Feel free to use it as a starting point for your own agenda.

1. Meeting Details

When creating a compliance committee agenda, you first want to outline the meeting details. These may include the date, time, and location of the meeting.

2. Introductions

Next, provide a brief overview of the agenda and any introductory notes. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce new members or offer an update on recent events.

3. Agenda Items

List all agenda items with their corresponding objectives. For example:

  • Review of regulatory updates (Objective: Discuss any changes to regulations that could affect the organization.)
  • Changes to procedures or policies (Objective: Outline any updates to procedures or policies.)
  • Vendor risk management (Objective: Discuss processes for managing third-party vendor risk.)
  • Data security protocols (Objective: Evaluate current data security protocols and make recommendations for improvement.)

4. Discussion Points

For each agenda item, provide a brief description of the discussion points. This could include relevant documents or reports to be reviewed during the meeting.

5. Next Steps and Adjournment

Finally, outline any next steps and assign action items. Also, provide a timeline for completing these tasks. Once all agenda items have been discussed and any action items have been assigned, adjourn the meeting.

OnBoard Powers Effective Committees

Every committee needs a reliable way to manage and track its meetings and programs. Whether you serve on a corporate governance committee dealing with compliance or an audit committee overseeing financial statements, OnBoard provides all the tools you need to run a successful board meeting. From setting agendas and taking meeting minutes to tracking action items and creating data-driven reports, OnBoard makes it easy for committees to stay organized and efficient. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of our software’s top-line benefits and features:

  • Streamlined collaboration and communication: Easily share documents, reports, and other important information with your colleagues in a secure environment. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page, so you can focus on achieving your goals.
  • Automated task management: OnBoard makes it easy to assign and track action items. You can use this feature to hold everyone accountable for their tasks and follow up on progress.
  • Robust reporting: Generate data-driven, truth-based reports to track your committee’s performance over time. This helps identify areas of improvement so you can make necessary adjustments for future meetings.
  • Comprehensive documentation: Having access to an extensive library of meeting and compliance program documents is essential for any committee. OnBoard ensures that all your critical documents are stored in an organized, secure manner for easy retrieval.
  • Real-time data analytics: OnBoard’s real-time data analytics feature lets you get an up-to-date snapshot of your committee’s performance. This allows you to make informed decisions based on hard facts, not assumptions.

No matter what type of committee you’re running, OnBoard has the tools necessary for effective collaboration and compliance. Download our free board meeting agenda template, and rest easy knowing that your committee is always prepared for the next meeting.

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About The Author

Adam Wire
Adam Wire
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.