Having the right processes in place matters. It means the board is well-run and board members’ time is used efficiently and effectively. Good processes will also help build the trust and confidence of staff and funders. Good board processes assist the board to operate their organisation legally and ethically.
Think and review processes and policies that are needed in relation to the size and complexity of your organisation. They have enough processes and policies to be effective, but not too much to be bogged down.
Clearly document in a governance manual or policy how the board will operate. Ensure all board members are clear about board processes and policies and can access board documents easily.
Have an annual board work plan that sets out what the board needs to do and timeframes. Allocate sufficient time over the year for strategic thinking as well as legal compliance.
Create clear meeting agendas that balance the need for compliance and monitoring with strategic conversations, and ensure there is plenty of time to focus on the most important issues and decisions.
Understand the importance of good recruitment, induction, board evaluation and development processes. Provide clear guidelines for the oversight of management.
Use templates! Look for examples of policies and processes that have worked for others and adapt them for your needs.
Take good minutes of your meetings and share them with board members soon after the board meetings. This ensures you will have accurate records of what you discussed, what decisions you made, and who has responsibility for the resulting actions.
Use your strategy and goals to structure your meetings. Focus your time together as a board on the matters that have the most impact.
Take time to understand your legal and regulatory accountabilities and work out efficient ways of ensuring you comply. Ask for help from experts. Ask members of other boards how they manage their accountabilities.
Get assurance that the policies you set are being followed in your organisation. Ask for information and evidence about how policies and processes are adhered to.
Use templates and checklists to streamline board work. Make sure all board information is easy for your board to access and review.
Try using collaborative sharing tools and tech platforms (Google Workspace, Slack, or WhatsApp as examples) to share information and keep in touch between board meetings. Board work does not have to be confined to meetings.
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