Board meetings are when board members offer valuable feedback on a company's progress. They also provide an occasion for board members to establish trust and build camaraderie.
To ensure that discussions are productive and efficient decisions, a successful board meeting must be preceded by a clear explanation of the meeting's objective(s) prior to the time the board meets. This means sending a board package with all the information needed for the discussion (no need to send more than what's important) and creating an agenda that highlights the items most important to discuss.
Robert's Rules of Order is used by some boards to guide their meetings. However, this book isn't necessary for all boards. In general, the chair is responsible for making sure that invitations are sent out on time and notes are made, and all Board Meetings Definition necessary materials are sent to board members prior to the meeting.
One of the most common errors that companies make is not preparing and distribution of their board documents in advance. It is important to communicate the purpose of the board meetings to everyone prior to the meeting. This will allow directors to prepare for the meeting and ask questions. This will free up time during the meeting for discussions and allows you to keep the meeting as brief as possible. In fact If you have a finicky board member who demands the inclusion of a lengthy report on the agenda, set it for the last minute and at least one hour after any breaks.
