The Ultimate Guide to Running Efficient and Harmonious Board Meetings

1. Advance Preparation - The adage "failing to prepare is preparing to fail" couldn't be truer for board meetings. Detailed board packages, encompassing all necessary documents, should be sent out well in advance. By doing so, directors and officers are afforded ample preparation time, leading to more insightful contributions during the meeting. Moreover, a pre-meeting chat between the meeting chair and the property manager can preemptively address potential areas of contention, ensuring smoother discussions.
2. Equip the Venue - In today's digital era, members, especially the migratory snowbirds, often participate remotely. While impromptu solutions like a cell phone on speaker mode may seem convenient, they compromise audio clarity. Enter Bluetooth speakerphones. Devices, such as the Jabra Speakerphone, are engineered for group interactions, offering unparalleled clarity. If video is available, then an “Owl” can be key in making it happen—one product, three functions: 360-degree video, speaker, and microphone for group meetings
3. Set Time Constraints - Respect for time is mutual. To keep meetings productive, establishing and adhering to time limits for every topic is crucial. This ensures balanced participation from all members and prevents the meeting from drifting into overtime. In an ideal world, a board meeting shouldn't extend beyond an hour. Beyond this point, attention wanes, and productivity plummets. Sticking to this timeframe requires stringent planning and a commitment to the agenda.
4. Lay Down the Ground Rules - Setting the tone at the outset is the meeting chair's responsibility. This involves laying down clear expectations and guiding principles for the meeting. Simple tools, like a gavel, can be remarkably effective in managing the meeting's pace and maintaining its decorum.
5. Adhere to the Agenda - A well-defined agenda is the roadmap to a productive meeting. Every item, from financial reports to community events, should be discussed in a structured manner. Staying on track not only ensures all topics are addressed but also minimizes the risk of the discussion spiraling off course. The president, as the conductor of the meeting, holds the responsibility of designing the board agenda, usually with the valuable input of the property manager. This isn't just a list of items to discuss; it's a strategic document that gives direction and structure to the meeting and must be followed. Remember, discussing topics that are not on the agenda is inappropriate as well.
6. Facilitate Resident Participation - It's essential to remember that a board meeting isn't a town hall, it's a strategic session for board members to deliberate and make key decisions. While owners have the right to observe, the primary focus should be on board members' discussions and decisions. To ensure meetings are effective and to prevent them from becoming unmanageable, the board needs to set guidelines on when and how residents can participation.
7. Follow Robert’s Rules (within reason) - At the heart of structured and efficient board meetings lies a timeless guide: Robert’s Rules of Order. This framework provides a comprehensive set of codes and rules of ethics that not only ensures orderly conduct during meetings but also guarantees that every voice, be it in the majority or the minority, is heard. Such an inclusive, orderly approach is particularly essential for non-profit boards and committees, where collaborative decision-making forms the core of their functioning. But don’t over-complicate the process, the main components of Robert’s Rules that you need to use are the following: 
   
   • Structuring the agenda
   • Opening and closing the meeting
   • Recording and review of minutes
   • Handling motions and votes
   • Managing discussions.
8. Maintain a Positive Atmosphere - In condominium or homeowner associations, maintaining a positive atmosphere can be a challenge, especially in the face of divergent opinions. Boards should try and find common ground, compromise, and when possible, sort out disagreements behind the scenes and present a united front during public meetings.
9. Minutes, Not Transcripts - The essence of a meeting lies in its decisions, not its discussions. Minutes should only detail when and where the meeting started, who was present, the outcomes of votes, and how the meeting concluded.

A board meeting is more than a routine assembly; it's a confluence of diverse ideas aiming to achieve communal objectives. By adhering to this guide, not only will your meetings become more structured and efficient, but they'll also foster a sense of community, collaboration, and mutual respect.

This article was featured in the September 2023 issue of the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). Each month, the Florida Community Association Professionals (FCAP) releases FLCAJ. This magazine contains news and features articles dealing with areas of interest to managers and board members. It has earned the reputation of being the industry’s most authoritative voice.