Board Meeting Agendas

Are your board members having the right discussions at meetings?

The board of directors is ultimately responsible for the organization; ensuring proper oversight and that the organization is fulfilling its mission.  Nonprofits continue to face challenges as they compete for funding sources, staff, and how to navigate through uncertain times resulting from the pandemic.  This is why it is so important to make sure that your board members are discussing the right topics at board meetings.

The agenda should consist of a streamlined approach to addressing routine issues, allowing more time for strategic discussions.

Below is a sample agenda to consider for your next board meeting.

I. Welcome and call to order

II. Consent agenda

(The consent agenda should include the prior meeting minutes and routine items that typically don’t need additional discussion to be voted on.  This may include an Executive Director’s report or routine, information reports from committees.)

III. Business update

a. Investment committee report – performance, portfolio changes

b. Finance committee report – review of financials

c Other committee reports as necessary.

(Other committee reports should include those that need additional discussion of the full board as opposed to those that are simply reporting information and should be included under the consent agenda.)

IV. Discussion topics

(This section is meant to engage board members in conversation instead of just listening to reports.  Topics should include strategic planning, new programming, programming expansion, new policy discussions, etc.)

V. Board training

(Board members bring expertise in various backgrounds; however, they may not all have experience serving on a nonprofit board.  Consider providing some time for board training at each meeting to ensure they understand their responsibilities and duties.  One approach may be to address one of the Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards each meeting.)

VI. Mission moment

(A mission moment reminds your board of the reason that they are serving.  It could be a specific story of how your organization helped a client or provide insight on specific program activities.  It should help board members feel more connected to the organization and better understand your work.)

VII. Executive session

(It may not be necessary to have an executive session each meeting as there may not be anything that needs discussed; however, it’s best to have a standing agenda item for the session so that when it is necessary, it does not create any unnecessary concern.  By having a standing agenda item it’s understood that it is a routine discussion by the board at each meeting.)

VIII. Adjourn

Contributed by: Carrie Minnich, CPA, MAcct | Director | DWD CPAs & Advisors