Board Meeting Checklist
Before the Meeting:
- Let trustees know the meeting date, place, and time well in advance.
- Assign or remind trustees of board roles and tasks, so they can come prepared.
- Plan the meeting with a facilitator (if appropriate) and get input from the rest of the board.
- Establish clear goals for the meeting.
- Distribute a meeting agenda with time frames that allow for socializing.
- Distribute any reading materials.
During the Meeting:
- Stay connected to mission.
- Describe the meeting agenda and goals.
- Clarify everyone’s role.
- Use consent agendas, where appropriate.
- Encourage participation and invite questions.
- Stay on task and on time.
- Save the socializing for later.
- Recap the meeting’s achievements.
After the Meeting:
- Ask trustees what worked well about the meeting and what could improve.
- Distribute minutes within 2 weeks and include a to-do list.
- Follow up with other promised communications.
- Contact members who did not attend and provide a report on the meeting.
(Adapted from the article “Making the Most of Your Board Meetings” by Elaine Gast Fawset, philanthropy advisor and communications strategist with PhilanthropyCommunications.com.)
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