Sample Agenda for Board Training Session

The following agenda should be modified by the organization to meet its own nature and
needs. During review of the topics marked with an "*", provide brief presentation about
the topic and then provide time for open discussion and to address questions from
participants.
Topic Leader of This Section of Meeting Length of
Time
(minutes)
Welcome Board chair
Review of agenda* Board chair
Introduction of
Each person introduces themselves
participants
Overview of Executive director reviews mission, history,
organization* programs and introduces key staff
Orientation to board
Board chair
manual*
Roles and Board chair reviews overview of roles, role of
responsibilities of chief executive, and comparison of roles of board
governing board* and staff
Overview of board Review listing of current officers, committees, and
structure committee chairs
Board chair reviews key points from bylaws and
Overview of board board policies, board operations calendar, sample
operations* committee work plans, and sample meeting
agenda and minutes
Board chair reviews format of plan, highlights
Review of strategic
from the plan and key points about status of
plan*
implementation of the plan
For example, set the schedule for next year's board
Administrative
meetings, refine the board operations calendar,
activities
update the list of board members, etc.
Board chair poses reminders of upcoming
Next steps
activities and events
Meeting evaluation Board chair
11 Important Items to Include in Board Orientation
Packages
A board package is an organization’s first opportunity to orient their new board members
to their organization. Therefore, your board will be as well informed about your
organization as you make them.

Board packages are not just information; they are an opportunity to brand your
organization with your new board members. It gives them insight into the type of
organization you have how it operates and what it focuses on.

A good board package should include the following:

• Introduction – An introduction to your organization that includes its mission,

vision and values and information on what approach it takes in achieving its
goals.
• Backgrounder – Educating your board about how your organization began and
any changes to its structure and goals during its life span. This should also include
information about what and who stimulated the creation of the organization, as
well as the process followed to create the organization.
• Board meeting minutes – It should include minutes from the past year’s board
meetings, financial reports and any attachments that go with those minutes.
• Organizational Chart – It’s hard for an individual to make good policy decisions
for an organization if they don’t have a good handle on what the structure of the
organization. That is why supplying an up-to-date organizational chart is
important.
• List of funders – Board members should be provided with a list of who the
funders of the organizations are, what their investments are in the organization
and whether the funding is annual, multi-year or one time.
• Organizational Policy Manual – Board members should be given a copy of the
organizational policy manual in either hard copy or electronically. A board
member should be able to become familiar with existing policies to be able to
make good decisions about adjustment to policies or the creation of new policies.
• Goals that have been set for the previous and present years.
• A copy of the organization’s bylaws, as this is the basis of all their decisions and
how the organization will function.
• A copy of the articles of incorporation.
• A list of other board members with term end dates
• a copy of the most recent audited financial statement.