Board decision documents provide data and information that empowers directors to interpret, design and make decisions that shape an organisation’s future. They can also lead to controversy and legal action when they are written poorly or contain incorrect or inadequate data. The importance of quality decision papers cannot be overstated.
What are the key elements to writing effective board documents? The flow of information is essential. This involves managing the volume of information provided to a board and its presentation. Board documents should be brief and comprehensive while communicating an unambiguous call-to-action.
A major challenge for writers is to avoid the temptation to include too much detail on the board paper, since it could eat up valuable board time and distract from what www.boardroomofficial.com/preparing-your-nonprofit-board-for-a-fundraising-campaign/ the paper actually must convey. Another challenge is to write the paper in a way that is easily understood by everyone who is on a board. This is especially true for those who have little or no experience with the subject covered by the paper. This is where the formal process of writing a board paper with clear guidelines, as well as an approach to verify the papers before they are distributed is extremely helpful.
It is important that all board members have access to the information in the board’s documents. This is especially true when the board is comprised of people with different areas of expertise like marketing or finance. A glossary of terms and acronyms is also helpful. Getting peer feedback and commentary on the boards is also extremely helpful since it allows fresh eyes to examine the paper and find any ambiguity.
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