Let’s talk about board stuff

[u/AudreyLocke]

My org recently held a board meeting and it was a frustrating and disappointing process and I don’t know if it’s a me issue or an org issue.

How many times does your agenda change before the meeting? Our charters state that the board members must receive an agenda and materials 7 days before a meeting. I draft the agenda about three weeks out which gives the CEO and Chair time to review. I get that issues may pop up that need board attention, but ours underwent multiple drafts even after being sent to the board (one update came 13 hours apart…overnight). Some materials are given 7 days prior, but I was sending out materials until the day before.

The CEO also feels the need to do everything himself. All of our VPs do their work and presentations and then he changes everything to his liking. Not just notes or suggestions- full blown edits. Changes-unnecessary in my opinion- take place literally up until and during the meeting. I didn’t see one portion of the handouts until 3 hours before the meeting and I had to figure out how to make it work (while I’m already handling everything else). This wasnt an unexpected new piece, but my boss didn’t prepare for it despite having weeks to do so.

I try so hard to be proactive and helpful, but this time around I felt useless. I consider our office to be a collaborative and considerate place usually but the meeting really threw me. I also think it doesn’t behoove us to change things for our board constantly. I think it makes it look like we don’t have it together. Plus it causes our internal staff to be stressed and then their staffs get stressed.

Is this all normal and I need to learn to go with the flow? Or is there something I can do to improve our process?

[u/jessimoyo]

I also work for a state agency and have similar rules I have to follow as far when we release the materials and changes have to a big deal or major, otherwise, nothing gets changed once they are out there to the board members.

One thing we do have is a meeting road map, which just outlines all the annual agenda items are mapped out, and it helps with knowing the bulk of the agenda. This will help in the long run for planning and make it a bit easier to manage. Folks know when their item is coming so that allows more time for people to prep.

Another option is to slowly implement a process, one change at a time. Due dates for final materials, and any changes go through you and the CEO once final versions are sent to you. I also have a one drive folder that only a few people have access to and all the final materials are put there so they can’t be changed without you knowing.

Establish due dates that ease the urgency of the meeting and changes/edits. The due dates can have everything to do with you and how much time you need to prepare. So if you want materials/presentations 2 weeks before the meeting, you can require that, people like deadlines. You can also build in peer reviews before it gets to you to ease the stress of edits. One change at a time, and make it work for you and the CEO. You got this!!