Board portals are online systems which help to streamline the process of governing an organization. These tools allow boards and committees to gain secure remote access to meeting material, allowing members to review and edit documents using any Internet-connected device. This helps organizations improve their governance and build trust with stakeholders. The best board portals offer many features that support various use scenarios, such as meetings and agenda management documents, document approval, and minutes management.
The most important use for a portal for boards is to facilitate meetings between board members and executive leadership teams. The software enables streamlined preparation by allowing directors access to documents, exchange messages with one another, and discuss topics before the meetings. It also allows for them to vote and engage in discussions during actual meetings. It eliminates the need to send physical documents to be mailed and allows everyone to participate even if they are not all in the same room.
Another important use case for a portal for boards is to assist the work of administrative staff, like secretaries and company attorneys. They are accountable for preparing documents for the board and distributing them. Board portals allow them to create and distribute digital board packs quickly, which reduces time and minimizes the risk of errors. It is also simple to modify, allowing administrators to edit documents and modify meeting materials.
It is important to consider the needs of each individual board member when evaluating the software used for board management. Certain features that are important for certain users may not be required for other. Additionally, the price of the software could be a major consideration for some businesses. The best boards have many options and features to meet the needs of various organizations.