The preparation for your board meeting is a process that takes time. The most successful boards take it seriously and ensure that their meetings run smoothly. They schedule meetings far in advance, so that board members a chance to accept their meetings (and often to negotiate their calendars). Board Members are extremely busy and are often on numerous boards and teams, so coordinating with the individual and their assistants to ensure they are able to attend board meetings is crucial.
As part of the preparation for the board meeting, it is essential to ensure you have the appropriate materials prior to the meeting. The agenda that you have finalized and the board packet should be distributed about a week in advance of the meeting. This will allow Board members to read and absorb all of the documents prior to attending your board meeting.
Also, prior to the board meeting, it’s a good idea to set brief calls with your Board Members or their assistants to ensure that they are prepared for the meeting. This will allow you to quickly deal with any issues, like whether there are any updated PowerPoint slides to be presented prior to the meeting.
It is also a great idea to spend some time pondering the reason you’re on the board. This will help you stay focused during the board meeting. Also, make sure that you’ve covered all of the relevant issues.