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An agenda for board meetings is a blueprint that sets the tone and framework for the discussions that take place during board meetings. A well-planned agenda will help you avoid common pitfalls that can derail productivity and lead to poor decisions.

The first item on a board meeting agenda should be “Call to Order and Time”. This is when the chairperson calls the board to order or introduces new members or gives other opening remarks. This is also the time to discuss any changes on the agenda and approve previous minutes.

Each item on a meeting agenda should contain a brief description of what is expected during the discussion and a brief summary of any supporting materials. The information is given prior to the meeting to reduce time and ensure that all attendees are aware of the background information. It also keeps discussions on track and productive.

It is crucial to prioritize your board agenda issues based on their relevance to the time frame, urgency, and aligned with your strategic goals. This will ensure that you don’t end up waste time at meetings with things that are not relevant or of low impact. If you’re faced with a lot of agenda items, consider holding a follow-up session or assigning them to committees that are specialized to look at in greater detail.

Not least, give realistic timeframes to each item on the agenda. This stops discussions from running over the course of the meeting and allows you to adjourn the meeting on time. It is important to remember that these are just guidelines, and that it’s acceptable to modify them as needed during the meeting. You may want to allow more time to your board next time if they are likely to ask lots of questions about the same topic.