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These templates and tables reflect tools currently in use by your peers—CEOs and CFOs who are sharing board updates, prepping finance packets, and using platform data to tell stronger stories. Use what helps, skip what doesn’t, and adapt freely.

1. Quarterly CEO Update – Sample Outline

Subject: Q1 Update – Progress, Lessons, What’s Ahead
To: Board of Directors
From: [CEO Name]
Date: [Insert Date]

1. What We Set Out to Do
   Example: "This quarter, we aimed to increase subscription renewals and launch the new donor portal."

2. What Actually Happened
   Example: "Renewals were up 6% YoY, but the portal launch is delayed due to vendor issues."

3. Signals from the Field (Metrics or Trends)
   Example: "Increase in single-ticket buyers and stronger weekday matinee attendance."

4. Looking Ahead
   Example: "We're shifting more marketing budget toward digital conversion in Q2."

5. Where Input Would Help
   Example: "Would welcome thoughts on how to frame our upcoming capital ask."

Heard from peers: Keep to 1–2 pages. Start with the one thing you want them to take away. Bold your section headers and use bullets for key trends.

2. Board Meeting Pre-Read – Short Memo

Subject: Pre-Read for [Date] Board Meeting
To: Board of Directors
From: [CEO or CFO Name]

Hi all,

Ahead of our upcoming board meeting, here’s a short summary to help orient you:

1. Snapshot Since Last Meeting
   Major updates, directional shifts, or follow-ups from past discussion.

2. Key Metrics & Trends
   2–3 data points or visuals with short interpretation.

3. Discussion Topics
   What strategic questions or decisions will we focus on?

4. Decisions Requested
   Call these out clearly if board input or votes are expected.

5. Attached Materials
   Link to slide decks, dashboards, or supporting docs.

Variation: Some CFOs include a visual dashboard or a 2–3 chart summary. Others embed narrative metrics inline. One CEO noted that pre-reads like this "cut down on meeting drift and help the board stay focused."

3. Year-End Reflection – Planning Memo or Deck

Subject: FY24 Wrap-Up + Looking Ahead
To: Board of Directors
From: [CEO Name]
Date: [Insert Date]

1. What We Set Out to Do
   Revisit the strategic priorities or goals set last year.

2. What Surprised Us
   Include wins, challenges, or unexpected signals.

3. Where We Landed
   Use 2–3 metrics or results to summarize overall performance.

4. Highlights from the Team
   Staff moments, program growth, or notable culture stories.

5. Strategic Themes for the Coming Year
   What big questions or shifts are ahead?

Note: Useful before a strategy retreat or December/January board meeting. Several orgs use this as a pre-read to frame the annual planning conversation and highlight where board support is most needed.