Interactive resources for incubators and accelerators
Interactive resources for incubators and accelerators
The processes involved in organising and running your board include setting a time and location for board meetings, establishing procedures for discussions and decision-making, preparing the agenda, assigning the taking of minutes, etc. These processes enable your board to achieve its objectives in an effective manner.
Your board processes can privilege certain genders and allow for power imbalances to occur.
Board processes that are inclusive and consider the needs of all genders, including board meetings that allow for all members to feel empowered to contribute, and where all voices are heard.
Example measurement indicators and collection methods can be found here.
In addition to recruiting a gender diverse board, processes are needed to allow for the board to effectively leverage individual members’ differing perspectives, skills, and experiences. Those processes need to take into account the needs of each member and address power imbalances, relating to gender and other factors, in order to create a well-functioning board that is greater than the sum of its parts.
How do we ensure that board processes do not privilege certain genders?
How do we ensure power is balanced during board meetings? That all voices are heard?
Ensure the timing and location of your Board Meetings are considered carefully, and ensure meetings are equally accessible to all.
Allow for virtual meetings and weekend meetings if conducive to contributing to inclusivity. Shorten Board Meetings to allow for discussions over email/chat and meet only to discuss those things that are not resolved.
Ensure gender of Board Chair is altered regularly. Consider having two Board Chairpersons who alternate each Board Meeting.
Ensure that administrative duties/minute taking is rotated or delegated to a specific role.
Ensure that the Board Chair & Agenda invite all members to speak equally at all Board Meetings.
Have a ‘mantra’ or statement at the start to invite all speakers and allow for calling out others: e.g. if we notice someone is not speaking, do we have the permission to invite them to contribute? Ensure that all Directors have set times and agendas to speak to and that the order is mixed. Establish a board meeting culture that encourages open communication.
Create an organisational code of conduct that clearly outlines the organisation’s commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and outlines what constitutes appropriate versus inappropriate Board Member behaviour.
