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Leading Effective Board Meetings

Before meeting:

	Why have a meeting? (decision-making, problem-solving, planning, evaluation)
	What are desired outcomes?
	Who is responsible for each item?
	Confirm environment and equipment
	Room arrangement To give information > Auditorium style To get participation > Circle Combination > Horseshoe
	Prepare agenda Considerations All items relate to mandate? Are items for action? Agenda clear? Location agenda?
	Specifics Start and end time for meeting Start and end time for each item? Require business items (motions) be submitted in advance Assign tasks
	Distribute meeting packet
	Distribute agenda in advance
	Ensure everyone on agenda knows role

During meeting:

	Call to order on time
	Stay focused using agenda
	Focus on substance, not form
	End meeting/each item on time
	Use unanimous consent, when possible
	Use consent agenda, if possible
	Encourage participation/equalize participation Propmt comments, if necessary
	Control interruptions and digressions "Park" digressions "Deflate windbags" Clarify and rephrase
	Manage conflict
	Ensure decisions/assignments clear
	More formal procedure if larger group (12+)
	More formal procedure depending on controversy/importance
	Close the meeting on time
	Close the meeting positively

Problem areas:

	Rambling member (“park digressions”)
	Dominating member (“deflate windbags”)
	Argumentative member
	Discouraging member
	Argument between two members
	Side conversations
	Non-participating member

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Articles are intended to provide general information and are not legal advice or a legal opinion. Specific questions should be directed to an attorney at Black, Slaughter & Black, PA., or to another lawyer.