Legal requirements for Annual General Meetings
Almost every state Act specifies that an association has to have an AGM once a year (in Tasmania…
The main function of a board member is to take part in board meetings. All major decisions are made at the ordinary meetings so it is impossible to be an effective member if you are not a regular attendee.
The structures and styles of meetings differ from board to board. They may be formal or informal, open or closed, short or long.
Whatever their structure, the best meetings are those that flow logically, keep all members engaged and energised, elicit a range of useful ideas and information and leave members feeling they have made a valuable and valued contribution.
The primary reason for holding meetings is to allow the board to make decisions. However, meetings also serve a range of other important functions, providing a forum where:
Board members will be involved in a range of meetings during their term. This help sheet primarily discusses ordinary meetings, but other meetings include:
As mentioned above, meetings can vary markedly from board to board. Some are quite formal, adhering to strictly defined rules and ensuring all members are addressed by their correct titles ("President Smith," "Madam Chair," and so on). Others are far less formal – usually it will depend on the make-up and function of the board, how it was set up and how it has evolved.
Not all first-time board members will be familiar with all the terms that are used during board meetings. The following is provided to help the uninitiated make some sense of it all.
The agenda is the list of things that will be discussed during the meeting. It is usually sent to board members well in advance of the meeting to ensure everyone has a chance to read and digest it before the meeting starts.
Some more sophisticated agendas go further than a simple list, also providing supporting information (explanations, related documents, etc.), as well as details about who will address each item, recommendations for action and how much time each item is expected to take up.
Download our sample board meeting agenda and edit to fit the needs of your next meeting.
The minutes are the official record of the actions and decisions of the board. They are taken every meeting and approved the next time the board meets. Generally, meeting minutes will include:
The minutes are sometimes approved without much thought, or even having not been read by board members. This is a dangerous practice indeed. The minutes show who voted for what and what action the board has committed itself to – and they may be referred to as the official record days and weeks and even years after a decision has been made. They should therefore not be treated lightly.
Download our minutes template.
A "motion" is a proposal for action. "Moving" a motion merely means putting the proposal forward to be voted on. Sometimes motions are amended or reworded before being put to the vote. If the motion is approved by the board, it is referred to as a "resolution" (i.e. the board's decision), which can be legally binding.
The word "quorum" refers the minimum number of board members who have to present for the board to legally transact business. Your organisation's constitution should spell out what numbers are required for meetings to take place.
Board meetings cannot take place without a board chair. The role of the chair is to ensure the meeting is conducted efficiently and that meeting rules are adhered to. The chair should facilitate discussions, keep members on track and the meeting on time. When a topic has been fully discussed, the chair will often summarise the points and put the motion to the board for a decision or vote.
Board members should not think that their role begins when the board meeting starts and ends when it closes. Before meetings, members should make a careful reading of the agenda and ensure they clarify any points that are unclear. After meetings, members should review the minutes as soon as they are circulated (while they are fresh in their minds) and make note of any amendments they think are needed. Members should also carry out any tasks they have been assigned and keep track of their progress for reporting purposes at the next meeting.
The ICDA website hosts a range of tools and resources that will help you run more effective board meetings.
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