16 Board Secretary Skills for Your Career and Resume

A board secretary is responsible for providing administrative support to a board of directors. This can include tasks like preparing meeting materials, taking minutes, and maintaining records. Board secretaries need to have strong organizational and communication skills to be successful in this role. If you are interested in becoming a board secretary, learning about the skills that are necessary for this position can help you determine if this is the right career for you.

Organization

Organization is a skill that can help you be an effective board secretary. As a member of a company’s leadership, you may need to keep track of important documents and information about the organization’s history. Being organized can help you find this information quickly when needed. It also allows you to maintain records in a way that ensures they are safe from damage or loss.

Financial Reporting

Financial reporting is the ability to create and maintain financial records for a company. As a board secretary, you may be responsible for recording meeting minutes that include details about financial transactions. This requires knowledge of how to read and interpret financial statements as well as how to record them accurately.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information in a clear and understandable manner. As a board secretary, you may be responsible for communicating with members of your organization by phone or email. You also need to communicate effectively during meetings so that everyone understands what’s being discussed. This can include taking notes on behalf of other members who are speaking and relaying important information between members.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a board secretary, you may be required to work with different people and in various locations. You should also be able to adjust your schedule when necessary. For example, if an emergency arises that requires you to attend a meeting or conference, you should be willing to change your plans.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a skill that can help board secretaries perform their duties effectively. As the secretary, you may be responsible for recording and storing important information about the organization’s activities. This includes taking detailed notes during meetings, recording meeting minutes and maintaining files of correspondence between members of the organization. Having attention to detail can help ensure that your records are accurate and easy to find when needed.

Decision Making

A board secretary often needs to make decisions on behalf of the organization. This can include deciding which applications for funding or other resources are most deserving, as well as making executive decisions when a leader is absent. Strong decision-making skills allow you to make informed choices that benefit your company and its members.

Corporate Governance

Corporate governance is the set of rules and regulations that govern a company. A board secretary with strong corporate governance skills can ensure that their organization follows all necessary laws, regulations and standards. They also know how to interpret these guidelines and apply them to specific situations.

Leadership Development

A board secretary often acts as a leader for their organization, so it’s important to have strong leadership skills. You may be responsible for leading meetings and managing the agenda, which requires you to be an effective communicator and organizer. Board secretaries also lead by example when they work with other employees, so it’s important to show them how to act professionally and responsibly.

Board Effectiveness

A secretary’s ability to be effective on a board is important for the success of an organization. As a secretary, you can use your organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure that meetings run smoothly and efficiently. You may also have to take notes during meetings, which requires excellent listening skills and the ability to transcribe information accurately.

Investor Relations

A board secretary often works with investors and shareholders, so it’s important to have strong investor relations skills. You may be responsible for communicating with investors about company performance, financial reports and other information that can affect the value of a company’s stock.

You also need to know how to communicate sensitive or confidential information in an appropriate way. For example, if you receive notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about potential violations of securities law, you need to understand how to handle this information appropriately.

Compliance

A board secretary needs to be compliant with the rules and regulations of their organization. They should know what is expected of them, including meeting deadlines for various tasks and maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive information. Being compliant can help a board secretary maintain order in their workplace and ensure they are performing their duties correctly.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As a board secretary, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between members or addressing challenges that arise during meetings. For example, if someone misses an important email about a meeting topic, you might use problem-solving skills to find the information they need. You can also use problem-solving skills when scheduling meetings with other organizations or individuals.

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the ability to create and implement plans that help an organization achieve its goals. As a board secretary, you may be responsible for creating meeting agendas, which requires strategic planning skills. You also use this skill when taking notes during meetings, as your notes should include details about what actions the board members plan to take in order to meet their organizational goals.

Risk Management

Risk management is the ability to identify and assess potential risks in a company. Board secretaries often use risk management skills when reviewing financial statements, budgets and other documents that may contain information about potential risks. For example, if a company’s assets are greater than its liabilities, a board secretary might ask what steps the company would take if it experienced a loss of revenue or an increase in expenses.

Policy Development

As a board secretary, you may be responsible for creating and maintaining the organization’s policies. This includes researching current laws and regulations to ensure your company is compliant with all standards. It also involves drafting and editing policy documents, which requires attention to detail and an ability to understand complex legal language.

Minutes

Minutes are the written record of a meeting, and as a board secretary you may be responsible for creating them. This requires attention to detail and an ability to summarize conversations accurately. Good minutes can help ensure that everyone on the board understands what happened during a meeting and why decisions were made.

How Can I Learn These Board Secretary Skills?

There are a few ways to learn the necessary skills to be a board secretary. Many colleges and universities offer courses in business administration or management which would likely include lessons on board secretary skills. Alternatively, there are many online courses or even certification programs available which would provide more specific training on the duties of a board secretary. Finally, many professional organizations, such as the National Association of Corporate Directors, offer resources and networking opportunities for those interested in learning more about the role of a board secretary.