Executive sessions are used by boards to discuss sensitive issues that require more privacy and independence. These discussions allow the participants to discuss openly and freely without the pressure of public opinion, and arrive at decisions informed by all perspectives. The article discusses the importance of executive sessions and how they differ from board meetings. It will also provide the best practices for making them successful.
The presiding officer of the board or chair of the meeting opens the session by welcoming all present. The CEO or the person on the m&a board who is responsible for the agenda will then provide a brief description of the topic as well as the purpose of the discussion. This helps the board to understand the context of the issues that will be discussed and prevents confusion or misinterpretations.
Typically executive sessions are only open to board members. They can be scheduled prior to, in the middle or after the scheduled board meeting. Board Source (formerly known as the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) However, it is noted that other stakeholders may be invited to an executive session for a part or for the entire duration in the event that they require professional advice or issue findings.
It is crucial to remember that, just like any other board meeting, executive sessions should be focused on addressing issues that benefit the organization. Focusing on the agenda for the board keeps the attendees entertained and stop the meeting from getting overly heated or used as a platform to spread gossip.