Board Packs support effective decisions

Our newly created Board Packs contain customisable resources to help boards collectively discuss, consider and revolve their approach to a governance issue effectively and efficiently.  

An ideal tool to transform meetings into conversations, the packs provide practical resources and governance templates, discussion starters for a committee or board meeting, and best practice guidance on the topic at hand, says Judene Edgar, a principal governance advisor for the IoD’s Governance Leadership Centre.

“They are targeted, practical resources that will help boards work together to improve specific aspects of their performance and processes,” Edgar says.

“For many boards, this type of real-world governance support will be a means to get more value from their meetings, and deliver better outcomes for their organisations.”

Adaptable for all types of boards seeking a shared development experience, Board Packs are designed with accessibility in mind, making them especially beneficial for not-for-profit organisations and smaller boards. Each pack is priced at $250.00 including GST for IoD members.

The first pack released, in late 2024, was on managing conflict of interests. It explores the background to a high-profile topic, provides best-practice advice, questions boards should ask about their processes, plus templates for a Conflict of Interests Policy and Conflict of Interests Register.

Also available now is the Health and Safety Governance Board Pack – the latest in the series containing information to help directors, as officers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, understand their duties in relation to leadership, oversight and strategy to ensure best-practice health and safety for their organisations.

Michael Fraser, IoD General Manager of Learning and Branch Engagement, says conversations with members have revealed a need for practical advice and tools that support good decision making on common governance challenges.

“There was a clear gap in the performance and effectiveness of boards that was not being filled solely by courses or events,” Fraser says.

“Board Packs will help to fill that gap by providing carefully curated materials that a board needs to discuss, debate and, ultimately, reach a well-informed decision on a topic.”

A key part of that is giving boards a way to open the conversation, and enough background to enable them all to contribute to the decision, Fraser says.

Ensuring all directors are well briefed on a topic will also enable boards to effectively leverage the knowledge of board members with experience in a specific area, while incorporating diverse views.

Edgar notes that Board Packs will help individual directors provide meaningful input into a discussion, which will equip boards to share perspectives and reach agreement.

“The aim is to help boards lift the quality of their conversations and get the best out of each director, which will lift capability of the board as a whole,” she says.

“With a shared understanding of a topic, and of best-practice around that topic, the likelihood of a board reaching agreement and embedding good practices going forward is greatly increased.”

A typical board pack includes:

• • A ‘how to’ guide to getting the most from the resources
  • An overview of the topic, answers to common questions and best-practice advice
  • A customisable board paper template and other relevant templates
  • A presentation slide deck to introduce the topic at your board table  
  • Discussion questions and advice on where to seek further information

Enhance your board’s knowledge. Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your board’s decision making. Learn more about our Board Packs here.