To comply with Rhode Island's open meeting law, let your patrons know about the meeting. Be sure the information you will need is available. Each member should be familiar with the agenda and any supporting documents before the meeting convenes. Establish ground rules. Establishing bylaws helps the board avoid facing the same questions and issues over and over.
Bylaws provide consistency and order.
They provide rules for participation, such as time limits for speakers and how to decide issues when there is disagreement. They answer such important questions as what constitutes a quorum, how often the board meets, who keeps the minutes, and so on. Start and end on time. From your agenda, estimate how much time may be needed for each item. Let board members know how long the meeting is expected to run.