Onboarding New Directors

Find guidance and sample documents to form the basis of your director orientation program.

Accelerate the learning curve of your newest members

A director’s fiduciary duty begins on day one of service, and it is essential that new directors are provided with the information and tools they need to effectively contribute and fulfill their role. Regardless of the director’s experience or the size of the company, all new directors will benefit from a structured onboarding program that begins prior to the start of board service.

Onboarding programs should include the following components, generally organized by the general counsel or corporate secretary with the support of the CEO, board leader, and nominating and governance committee.  

Reference Materials

The new director should receive essential information about the company’s operating environment, the company itself, boardroom culture, and the director role and responsibilities. The independent chair, lead director, or CEO may wish to reach out with an introductory email, welcoming the new director to the board and directing them to this information, whether it’s housed in a board portal or elsewhere.