BOARD MEMBERS KEYNOTE SPEAKER: WHAT’S TRENDING WITH BOARDS OF DIRECTORS?

Our firm frequently works as board members keynote speakers. But it’s not always apparent on the outside looking in what these audiences are looking for. It seems a bit of background is in order.

Like any board members keynote speaker can tell you, a board member (sometimes referred to as well as a director) is an individual who serves on the board of directors of an organization. The board of directors is an elected group responsible for establishing policies, overseeing finances, and providing guidance to executives like the CEO.

A few things you’ll want to know about such folks:

• All have fiduciary duties to the organization including duties of care, loyalty, and obedience to act in the organization’s best interest.
• Board members are elected. In public companies, shareholders vote to elect board members. In nonprofits and private companies, boards are self-perpetuating and vote in new members themselves.
• Much of the work that board members keynote speakers see occurs in board meetings and committee meetings, which directors – who are often concerned with the performance of the organization and its CEO, new technology trends and future of work innovations, etc. – are expected to attend and contribute to.
• Positions on the board can include Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and committee chairs like finance or governance chair.
• Board members may be given oversight of certain specialties like legal issues, financial auditing, executive compensation, and strategic planning based on their expertise.
• Major responsibilities that board members keynote speakers note directors are tasked with include hiring/firing the CEO, evaluating executives, reviewing budgets, ensuring adequate resources, and helping shape strategy.
• They ensure legal and regulatory compliance and maintain sound governance and internal controls.
• Directors are usually not involved in day-to-day operations. Rather, they empower executives to run daily business.

Serving effectively as a board members keynote speaker (like an actual director) requires commitment, strategic thinking, and the ability to constructively collaborate with diverse viewpoints.