Good board management includes the structure, culture and decision-making process as well its members. The key characteristics of good management are proper behavior and a clear understanding of the board’s roles and duties. Furthermore, boards that are effective are able to discern when they require fresh energy and to refocus their efforts.

A good behavior is not unwilling to speak up and being respectful of the organization, management and clinicians, and embracing board service as a responsibility of citizenship. It is crucial to distinguish between management and governance and also to understand the impact of the board’s decision on other people.

A solid policy process and a clear understanding of the role of the board are essential. To fulfill the three essential tasks of the board namely setting strategy, making important and strategic decisions, and monitoring the activity of the organization, a robust policy process is required. Effective policies help to narrow discussions, reduce duplicate work and reduce the pressure on management to produce details that are not necessary or too detailed for the board.

A well-organized agenda for your meeting will increase the efficiency of your board meeting. The best way of organizing an agenda is to divide items for information, actions, and strategic discussions. This lets the board better understand their roles and helps to eliminate concern that they have to vote on items only for information. It is essential to establish clear guidelines for committees and task forces, and an approach to avoid duplicate work. It is also beneficial to have a corporate secretary who can assist in organizing meetings, manage the flow and information, and also create an extensive set of board documents that include relevant background documents.

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