Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Effective participation

Members of a board who don't play a leadership or executive role still have responsibilities to ensure the effectiveness of a meeting. This includes active participation but also to:

• Arrive on time and stay for the duration of the meeting
• Read materials prior to the meeting to be prepared for discussion
• Be respectful of others who are speaking and avoid interrupting, rudeness and side conversations
• Have an open mind when listening to discussion and opposing perspectives
• Ask for clarification before voting or making a decision if unsure about something
• Carefully word motions
• Volunteer to help with items that require action and follow up on action items prior to the next meeting

Board members need to feel they are accomplishing something and being recognized for the work they do. When this happens at board meetings members are more apt to participate. Ideas and tips for encouraging participation from board members can be found in the article How to Get Your Non-profit's Board of Directors Excited and Involved.

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