When determining how to write a report for the board of directors , try to be as thorough as possible, as this important document informs the board about how the company or nonprofit is performing, what’s happened since the last meeting, and where the organization is headed.
It’s crucial for the board of directors report to be accurate, but also engaging , as these documents can be long and detailed — and possibly ignored by busy board members. An ill-informed board gives competitors an advantage, so make sure to deliver the board report in a clear and concise format.
Ask for examples of past board of director’s reports to determine the most informative writing style for your organization. With the OnBoard board management software app , you can download an easy-to-use template to craft an engaging board of directors’ report .
Board reports give board members the information they need to know prior to a meeting, and serve as a reference document with details for items mentioned in the board agenda, meeting minutes, or executive summary report.
The report to the board of directors compiles and summarizes information gathered from the various committees and departments in the organization in a more brief and readable format. Oftentimes, the CEO, CFO, and sometimes committee members and board secretary, decide what content to include and how to format the board of directors report template.
A board report should be easy to read and as straightforward as possible, uncomplicating the material for time-crunched board members. It’s important to approve accurate board reports , as they will be entered into the board minutes and may be referred to at any time, especially if a legal issue arises.
Board Management SoftwareThe short answer? Yes. But it’s important to understand what’s included in each.
Board members make decisions at board meetings that affect the entire organization, and they rely on past and current board reports to assist in that decision-making and board governance. A board report often shows progress and performance, and should easily convey the key takeaways and any actions taken or needed by the board.
Board reports serve to:
The primary purpose of the board report is to inform the board of important happenings within the organization, typically highlighting the time frame between the last and current meetings. Boards may meet monthly, quarterly, every six months or even annually. As part of their oversight duties, every board member should read, comment, and ask questions about the board report .
Board members and sometimes outside consultants are assigned to board committees based on their knowledge and expertise. The committee meets, researches, and eventually makes recommendations to the board. It’s important to include committee reports in the board report , so all board members know the progress of the committee and can ask questions.
After calling a board meeting to order, the executive director introduces the board report . The executive director highlights the most important parts of the report, reviews management’s performance, and raises awareness to the most important issues. Board members then discuss the report, asking questions and presenting ideas. When the board needs more information, they can refer to the board report in greater detail.
When forming the structure of your board reporting template , think in terms of bullet points, graphs, tables, and images to help inform your readers about the key takeaways. Providing only text makes the board report dry and less likely for the board to grasp key points.
Generally, the structure of the board report should contain the following:
To determine the content of the board report , you must first determine the goal of the report. Do you want the board to change strategy? Do you need to acquire or sell resources? Or are you providing a situational report on a specific issue?
Providing relevant information in an engaging way is key to the content of any board report . The report should also show both the positives and negatives to allow the board to consider the issue fully. Only presenting one side of a situation may bias the board, as they need complete and accurate information to best manage the company’s direction.
Board members manage multiple tasks in their very busy lives, so make sure they can easily find the most important information and any external sources cited in the board report.
Some board reports may be as short as a page, some a few pages, and others, such as annual reports, may be bound, 100-page booklets. To make the content engaging and easy to understand, the report should contain as many bullet points, images, graphs, and tables as possible.
