How to Write a Good Board Meeting Agenda

A well-written agenda for board meetings can ensure engaging and productive discussions, with a plan to discuss the most important issues of the organization. A well-written agenda will keep your attendees interested, whether meeting in person or online.

A good agenda begins with a a clear and concise call to order, which signals the beginning of the meeting, or any other proceedings. This could include a short explanation of the reason for your meeting and the name of the chairperson.

The agenda for your board’s meeting should include a brief report or presentation from the CEO or executive directors on the performance of the company and the main initiatives. It’s also helpful to include a section on committee reports from the finance, governance and nominating committees, if required.

If your organization hosts guests who will be presenting or participating in an open forum discussion, allocate time board meeting agenda for those. You should also leave space for announcements or celebrations. You should also leave space for future business matters that require follow-up or have not been discussed in the past.

It is common for people to be sidetracked by new topics of discussion, which could cause your meeting to lose momentum. Make sure you have parking space at the end of your agenda, where you can present new ideas for further discussion. You should also include a rough estimation of how long each topic will take to debate. This will help you avoid overrunning the agenda for board meetings. To keep your agenda on course, if you’re not able to decide on an item at the board meeting, move it to the next meeting.