How board meetings are conducted has a significant influence on how productive and insightful the discussions are. To maximize the value of each meeting, it is essential to establish clear expectations regarding how the meetings are expected to function and how the decisions are made.

In general, board meetings should not be dominated by reading reports. Instead, committee chairs should review their reports ahead of time and present them during the meeting. The board then has the opportunity to examine each report, and the information contained in it, within the context of the company’s goals.

For effective discussions, board members must be able speak freely and without fear. However, this also means that they have to respect the rights of others to speak in turn. Interrupting other board members, though there are exceptions, is generally thought to be poor manners.

It is a common error to bring an issue or topic to discuss without a clear suggestion of what the board must be doing. This can cause the discussion to feel directionless and overly long. Instead, begin with a general suggestion for the next step and let everyone discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each idea.

A board secretary or another experienced person take notes during meetings can aid in ensuring that important information is not lost. However, it is critical to clearly communicate the process by which the board comes to its decisions–whether by the voting process or consensus–and who will be responsible for the preparation of the minutes.

boardroomate.com/best-ways-to-conduct-your-board-meetings-like-the-pros/