Effective governance is essential for organisations striving to fulfil their missions. Knowing how to craft a strategic board meeting agenda can significantly enhance the board's effectiveness and steer organisations toward success. In the webinar ‘Setting your strategic board agenda’, industry experts Steven Bowman, Conscious Governance, Margot Foster, Boardroom Excellence, and Sonya Beyers, Governance By Design explore the key components of governance practices, tailored specifically for the unique needs of non-profits and small to medium-sized businesses.
A well-structured board meeting agenda is not merely a checklist; it serves as the roadmap for board meetings. A strategic agenda aligns with the organisation's vision and objectives, and is able to guide discussions toward impactful outcomes.
To set a comprehensive strategic board meeting agenda, ensure the following components are included:
The chair of the board carries the ultimate responsibility for the agenda. They are the final arbiter of the agenda's contents, and it is their role to ensure that significant strategic matters take precedence.
It's important to identify the strategic component of a particular issue, says Sonya Beyers. "Think about what the strategic question is, and then ensure that makes it onto the agenda, rather than operational details."
Remember also, says Margot Foster, if you're new to a board, either as a board member or a chair, you do not necessarily need to inherit the agenda. "Make the agenda work for your board. It might take a couple of iterations until you settle on something that works effectively. Agendas are not static documents."
Make it a practice to prioritise key, meaty, discussions at the top of the agenda. This timing takes advantage of directors' higher concentration levels at the outset of the meeting, setting the scene for a dynamic rather than mundane meeting.
Encourage board committees to provide insights and implications rather than merely reporting activities. Using this knowledge within committees allows for strategic outcomes to emerge from operational reports.
For items requiring minimal discussion, use a consent agenda. Directors are able to quickly approve multiple items and, therefore, free up time for more meaningful conversations on crucial issues.
For performance measurements, use leading indicators in place of lagging indications. Often, boards rely on lagging indicators that focus on past performance metrics, which limits strategic thinking. Leading indicators provide insight into future performance, enhancing the ability to direct the organisation in a strategic way.
Integrate your organisation's vision statement into the agenda to keep discussions anchored in the organisation's purpose.
"Every part of our discussion should be focused around how is this helping and getting us closer to our vision," says Steven Bowman. "Put it up there at the top of the agenda, and use it to help from your conversations and your questions, so that when you're asking a question, it's actually framed around the key elements of your organisation's vision."
Risks are not only threats—they can also be opportunities for growth and innovation. This means taking the step to change the narrative from compliance to proactive engagement.
Setting a strategic meeting agenda enhances your board’s ability to lead an effective and productive board meeting, centred around your organisation’s vision and purpose.
Find out more in the on-demand webinar 'Setting your strategic board agenda’ and download your own Strategic Agenda Template.
When you're ready here's how BoardPro can help
Start a Free Trial — run a whole board meeting cycle for free, no credit card needed. You’ll be able to create board packs in a click, and have all minutes, decisions, actions and interests in one place. Be more effective, save time, and have everyone on the same page! Book a Demo — see BoardPro in action in this 30-minute demo, and have all your questions answered by a BoardPro specialist. You’ll get an introduction to all of BoardPro’s features — see how to set an agenda, create board packs, and take minutes. Attend a Free Governance Webinar — learn from our community of governance experts on subjects such as strategy, understanding board dynamics, reporting, and running effective meetings. You’ll join hundreds of others in these engaging events covering the latest governance topics. Find a Governance Template — practical documents to make governance easy! Templates cover strategic planning, board evaluation, risk assessment, SWOT analysis, and many other essential governance and business topics to grow your organisation and adopt good governance practices. |