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Board meeting agenda template (90 minutes)

An unprepared board meeting wastes everyone's time and buries the decisions it exists to make. Thirty of these ninety minutes belong to a single strategic topic and ten more to the executive session — the part that happens without management in the room, and the part a first-time founder forgets to schedule.

Topic Minutes Running total
Call to order and approvals Minutes from the last meeting, approval of agenda, any urgent disclosures. Routine items only. 5 5
CEO update Headline results since last meeting, key decisions made, and what the board should know beyond financials. 15 20
Financials Revenue, costs, cash, runway, and variances from forecast. CFO walks through; board asks clarifying questions. 20 40
Strategic topic A real problem needing the board's input or a decision requiring their approval. Thirty minutes allows depth. 30 70
Governance and votes Resolutions, new hires, policy changes, or anything needing a formal board vote. Approval is quick when prepared. 10 80
Executive session and close Board meets without management or staff in the room. Candid feedback and private matters happen here. 10 90

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Using BriefMe, create a 90-minute board meeting agenda: a 5-minute opening with approvals, 15-minute CEO update, 20 minutes on financials, 30 for strategic discussion, 10 for governance votes, and 10-minute executive session to close.

Questions

How long should a board meeting be?
Ninety minutes is standard for a quarterly board meeting and usually enough to go deep on one strategic topic while handling routine business. Add another thirty minutes if you have multiple strategic topics or complicated financials.
What is an executive session?
The part of the meeting when management leaves the room so the board can talk privately: feedback on the CEO, succession planning, compensation, and anything else the board needs to discuss without management present.
Who prepares the board materials?
Usually the CFO and CEO together, with a template sent to the board one week before so they come prepared. A prepared board meeting is a short board meeting. Standard package: last board minutes, updated financials, one-page CEO letter, and items needing votes.

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