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Board Meeting Frequency
- Nonprofit boards commonly meet monthly or quarterly to focus on strategy.
- The IRS mandates boards meet once a year, while best practices suggest quarterly.
Meeting Duration and Purpose
- Plan at least 90 minutes; more often 3-4 hours for board meetings.
- Monthly meetings normally need 1-2 hours, while full day meetings suit urgent, important issues.
Committee Meetings
- Committees may meet monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly to complement full board meetings.
- Staff may attend board meetings. Leadership should allow some social time.
Regular Board Meeting Guidelines
- Members should know short and long-term expectations like donations, event attendance, and term limits.
- Diverse skills and experiences enrich board discussions and decisions.
- Regular meetings with clear agendas ensure timely strategy and transparent decisions.
Annual Retreat and Meeting Cadence
- Board should have an annual retreat in addition to regular meetings to discuss strategic issues.
- Setting up regular board meetings ideally every six to eight weeks ensures the board is in tune.
Startup Board Meeting Frequency
- Most startup boards meet quarterly due to the level of work involved.
- Consultants outline meeting frequency, duration, and agenda to ensure effective governance.
Nonprofit Board Meeting Frequency
- The IRS expects boards to meet at least once a year, with best practices suggesting quarterly meetings.
- Board committees may meet monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly, complementing full board meetings.
