What makes a good board report
An informative board report contains management, operational and financial and enables directors to clearly assess how a corporation is being run. Georgina Richters hosts this discussion with Kerryn Newton, Jess Bulger and Kristy Masella.
Top tips from the conversation
Identify essential operational details. This could be information such as management updates, financial records and other measurements aligning with strategic goals or a business plan. This enables directors to clearly assess how the corporation is being run. Documents to present could be:
- agenda
- minutes
- actions arising
- solvency report
- financial report
- CEO report.
Make sure the report is clear and concise. Present summaries that are easy to read. Use headings and bullet points. Some graphs or other supporting visualisations of key statistics can help. Consider what is important, identify why and what can be actioned next. It should be no longer than a few pages.
Provide context and background information. Some board members may not work closely with the corporation all the time. Make sure summaries of critical decisions and updates are explained.
Provide reports in good time. It is important for board members to receive board reports well in advance of a meeting so they can make informed decisions – ideally several days before a board meeting.
Ask for help. Seek out constructive feedback from the board on how to improve board reports. Reach out to people in other corporations for guidance or even consider looking for short courses.
Be diligent with recording meeting minutes. Ensure someone can keep a record of key decisions and conversations made during a board meeting for follow-up actions in the next meeting. Draft minutes should also be signed by the chairperson.
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This conversation host and guests
Georgina Richters is a Luritja woman and the Principal of First Nations Advisory. Georgina has more than 25 years’ experience working in Indigenous affairs at national, state, local and community levels. She's currently the Chairperson of the Arts Queensland First Nations Arts and Culture Panel and the Deputy Chair of the Brisbane 2032 [Olympics] Legacy Committee.
Kerryn Newton is the CEO of Directors Australia. Kerryn has a background in business and law and her board experience spans the child care, aged care, housing, education, property and energy sectors.
Jess Bulger is a Wiradjuri woman and the CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI). Jess has worked in the education, employment and the NFP sectors for the past 15 years and is currently a board member of Outward Bound.
Kristy Masella is a Murri/South Sea Islander woman who has worked in Aboriginal Affairs for more than 30 years across many portfolios in NSW, Queensland and the NT. Now the Managing Director of Aborignal Employment Strategy (AES), she was previously the head of social justice for Aboriginal Affairs NSW and led a major review of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act.