{"id":25671,"date":"2022-03-07T10:01:26","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T14:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/?p=25671"},"modified":"2023-08-31T18:56:54","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T22:56:54","slug":"10-steps-to-make-the-most-of-your-nonprofit-board-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/featured\/10-steps-to-make-the-most-of-your-nonprofit-board-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Steps to Make the Most of Your Nonprofit Board Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For many nonprofits, board meetings are held on a monthly basis. If not run effectively, the meetings can become uninspiring, frustrating, or stressful. Worst yet, the Chief Executive Officer can find themselves being the only one speaking resulting in low board engagement and a struggle to meet quorum.<\/p>\n

A systematic approach in preparing for your next meeting will help in eliminating your stress and confusion. It will also increase your board engagement and improve your nonprofit\u2019s overall performance.<\/p>\n

So, here are the 10 steps to getting the most from your board meeting.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Step 1: Secure a meeting location<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

If you\u2019re lucky, your board meeting can be done on-site at your nonprofit. This allows your board to interact face-to-face with your clientele. If you\u2019re not that lucky, the location you choose should include a setup for comfort and functionality.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Step 2: Secure food<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

\u201cFood can be a vehicle for social change. It brings people together in a way that very few other activities can.\u201d\nAnim Steel, Executive Director & Co-founder of Real Food Challenge<\/p>\n

Whether food should be provided at a board meeting is determined by the timing of the meeting. Don\u2019t have a budget for food? No worries. You can seek in-kind donations from local restaurants or have a potluck with each board member bringing in a dish.<\/p>\n\"Nonprofit\n<\/section>\n

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Step 3: Prepare the agenda<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

Create a template that you can reuse for each board meeting. The agenda should be detailed, strict, and timed. You should adopt a consent agenda. A consent agenda is a collection of items that the board approves with one vote without discussion. The types of items that appear on a consent agenda are non-controversial items or routine items that are discussed at every meeting. This will minimize large information downloads and reporting, thus freeing up board meeting time for a more strategic discussion.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Step 4: Meet with the executive committee (or board chair)<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

Working with your executive committee to finalize your board meeting agenda at least 1.5 weeks before the board meeting. A best practice is a standing meeting with the committee to finalize the agenda. The Chief Executive Officer should not be preparing the agenda alone. Agenda preparation is an opportunity to engage the executive committee and give them a role and a voice in board governance.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Step 5: Prepare meeting packets<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

The board packet should include the agenda, financial statements, reports, minutes for approval, and other necessary documents. This packet must be well-organized, easy to read, and not include unnecessary materials. Combine all your necessary files into one PDF.<\/p>\n