How to Make Board Engagement a Priority in 2025

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Board engagement refers to the active involvement of board members in overseeing and guiding the organization’s strategic planning and governance process. Board members can stay engaged by participating in meetings, collaborating with their team and leadership, reviewing reports, and attending briefings.

Powerful meeting software technology such as OnBoard acts as a virtual bridge, empowering board members and leaders to remain connected through continuous communication and alignment.

Prioritizing board engagement is an essential responsibility among organizational leaders. When board members are fully involved, they contribute to better oversight, accountability, and overall governance. Promoting inclusivity and adapting to sophisticated technology that caters to collaboration will encourage governing boards and their teams to remain actively involved in the decision-making process.

This engagement benefits the organization by enabling them to tap into valuable resources, manage risks, and drive long-term growth. Additional benefits include:

Improved preparation by ensuring members are consistently informed and equipped with the necessary materials. OnBoard has detailed and secure document management tools that provide orderly storage and easy access for teams.
Improved collaboration by fostering open communication. OnBoard’s Microsoft 365 integration makes it easier than ever to collaborate in real time, no matter your geographical location.
Improved sense of accountability by actively involving board members in monitoring performance and providing oversight. Facilitate deeper engagement with OnBoard’s survey feature that allows board members to customize surveys with intuitive designs so that every voice is heard.
Improved board advocacy by strengthening members’ understanding of the organization’s mission and challenges. Providing your board with a centralized system enables members to stay well-informed and share key information, building trust and transparency with leadership.

1. Set Clear Expectations and Goals

Start the year with a board orientation or board retreat to review various roles, responsibilities, and strategic goals for the year. Ensure every member knows what to expect regarding participation, decision-making, and preparation.

By eliminating any ambiguity relative to board roles and responsibilities, your leadership team can better foster accountability and collaboration among board members. Additionally, board members are more likely to contribute and engage when they understand their unique impact and role within the organization.

Goal-setting is crucial for board engagement because it provides a clear direction for the board’s efforts. It helps board members measure progress and hold themselves accountable, ensuring purposeful involvement. These goals will also aid in unifying board members, ultimately strengthening their collective effort for the organization’s success.

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2. Create a Comprehensive Board Calendar

A well-structured calendar provides clarity on expectations and fosters transparency, allowing board members to anticipate discussions and come prepared to meetings. Creating a comprehensive calendar will not only aid in board meeting engagement but also allow for members to plan their time wisely and prioritize their responsibilities.

When implementing this calendar, be sure to include key meeting dates, deadlines, and important organizational milestones to help board members remain engaged throughout the year.

3. Refresh Board Training and Orientation

Regular board training and orientation enhance board engagement by ensuring members are equipped with up-to-date knowledge about the organization’s operations, challenges, and industry trends. These sessions foster a deep understanding of their roles and allow members to contribute meaningfully to discussions.

Include a board engagement survey to receive valuable insights into how board members feel about their roles, communication, and overall effectiveness. Continuous learning and surveying help board members stay motivated and confident in their ability to govern organizations.

4. Organize Board Documents and Materials

Well-organized board documents and materials ensure that board members have quick and easy access to the information they need to make informed decisions. State-of-the-art meeting software like OnBoard streamlines the organization and distribution of board documents, making it easy for members to access, review, and collaborate.

By having concise and up-to-date resources, board members can prepare for board meetings and engage more effectively in discussions as well as contribute to strategic planning.

5. Define Key Performance Metrics

Key performance metrics are specific, measurable indicators used to evaluate an organization’s progress toward its objectives, offering insights into the business as a whole. Establishing key performance metrics is crucial for board engagement as they provide trackable goals that guide board members in focusing their attention on critical areas requiring oversight. They also enable the board to assess the impact of their decisions and hold leadership accountable.

The following are examples of key performance metrics that board members may take into account:

Policy reviews completed, which involves evaluating and updating an organization’s existing policies to ensure they remain relevant, compliant, and aligned with goals.
Meeting attendance rate reflects board members’ commitment and engagement, aiding in active participation in key discussions.
Quorum achievement rate, which is an essential component to ensuring board meetings are legally valid by having the required number of board members present during proceedings.
Progress of strategic initiatives measures how smoothly an organization is advancing toward its goals.
Risk management monitoring helps identify, assess, and mitigate potential organizational risks.
Fundraising contribution ensures the organization has the resources needed to achieve its goals.
Financial compliance safeguards an organization’s financial integrity and avoids potential legal or reputational risks.
Committee participation rate reflects the level of engagement and contribution from board members.
Board member retention indicates the stability and continuity of leadership, and helps the board remain proactive with succession planning.
Board composition and diversity ensure the board encompasses a wide range of perspectives and skills, which enhances its ability to address challenges.

OnBoard offers robust features that allow for seamless tracking of key performance metrics and help boards stay proactive. Utilizing meeting software cushions your organization’s certification and compliance department by securely storing and organizing reports, making it easy for board members to access pertinent documents. Other features like roles and terms management provide real-time insights into board member positions to improve recruiting and succession planning efforts. The list goes on — for every business need, OnBoard has a tool.

Getting Started With OnBoard

To make board engagement a priority, focus on clear communication, regular training, well-structured meetings, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. Adopting an intelligent meeting software tool will help keep these priorities on track. Set the stage for stronger leadership, better oversight, and a more resilient organization with OnBoard — start your free trial today.

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About The Author

Adam Wire: Adam Wire is a Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard who joined the company in 2021. A Ball State University graduate, Adam worked in various content marketing roles at Angi, USA Football, and Adult & Child Health following a 12-year career in newspapers. His favorite part of the job is problem-solving and helping teammates achieve their goals. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two dogs. He’s an avid sports fan and foodie who also enjoys lawn and yard work and running.