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Sample Board Meeting Agenda

This sample agenda is one method of keeping the board meeting discussion focused on vision, mission and goals instead of operational detail.  Give it a try and let me know if it works for your organization.

Put Your Organization's Name Here
Board Meeting:  Date, Time, Location

Put your organization's vision and mission statements right at the top of every agenda as a handy point of reference for the discussion.

Vision Statement:  

Mission Statement:

Meeting Objectives/Focus:  Some boards will state what specific outcomes are expected from the meeting.  Getting clear on outcomes will help to structure the agenda and discussions.
 
Agenda
Time Limits:  Some boards will designate specific timeframes for each agenda item as a way of staying on track.  The board chair must be mindful of timeframes and will need to determine when discussion should be extended past a timeframe.  Examples are below for the first three items.
 
10-10:15:  Welcome/Call to Order and Introductions

10:15-10:25:  Approval of Minutes from the Previous Meeting

10:25-10:45:  Review of the Year-to-Date Financial Statement(s)
 
Reoccurring items such as approval of minutes, financial statements, and reports that require no action can become part of a "consent agenda", which means that they are moved and voted on as a package without discussion.  Consent agendas require that 1) the reports they contain must be distributed in advance of the meeting and 2) if anyone has a question about any item that item is pulled from the consent agenda to be fully discussed.  Consent agendas can free up discussion time for all-important strategic issues.

Strategic Goal Activities  (Draw the goal statements from your strategic plan to create the framework for discussions and decision-making.  Arrange goals in order of importance of the actions needed.  Not all goals may appear on every meeting agenda.)

Organizational Development:  To actively plan for organizational growth, our organization will develop its Board, staff, and volunteers in accordance with accepted professional standards and ensure that they hold a high degree of commitment to our organization.

  • Discussion:  progress, barriers, unexpected changes to this goal and its objectives
  • Discussion and Approval:  Slate of nominations to the board; presented by the Governance Committee
  • Discussion and Approval:  Bylaws revisions 
  • Governance Committee Presentation: Board self-assessment activity
  • Discussion:  Plan for evaluation of the Executive Director

Finances:  To guarantee the durable financial security of operations, programming and services, the organization will establish short-term and long-term financial plans, develop diverse and secure resources of revenue and judiciously manage financial resources.

  • Discussion:  progress, barriers, unexpected changes to this goal and its objectives
  • Financial Committee status report note specific issues requiring discussion, evaluation and/or approval
  • Audit Committee report note specific issues requiring discussion, evaluation and/or approval

Programming and Services:  To develop and implement a broad suite of interactive and collaborative programs and services that increase the public's understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts by their active participation.

  • Discussion:  progress, barriers, unexpected changes to this goal and its objectives
  • Staff Presentation and Discussion:  new program with local college for theater majors -- mapping and monitoring success
  • Discussion:  How critical is expanding collaborations when staff are stretched due to layoffs?

Next Meeting:  _________________________________

Adjournment





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