Earlier today I read an excerpt of the Bancroft Family Email Exchanges surrounding the sale of Dow Jones and the WSJ to News Corp. The focus of the exchange was deciding who would represent the family on News Corp.’s board. This sale has seen much controversy over issues like journalistic integrity, keeping the WSJ unbiased, etc. – but let’s put that aside. Instead, take a look at this statement: “The News Corporation Board meets six times a year, four times in New York, once in Los Angeles and once at the location of a major business unit. Each director serves on at least one committee. Committee meetings are usually held the day before or after the Board meeting.”

The first thought I had after reading this: I wonder if the board uses a wiki? It’s really a perfect opportunity for wiki use for any corporate or organizational board. Think about it – this is a group that only gets together in the same room six times a year. Otherwise, members are geographically spread around the world, and have other responsibilities.

A wiki would be a perfect place to post information board members need to read, give input on, and collaboratively develop between meetings. Then, add meeting agendas and minutes, and you’ve got a hub for all board activity that does a better job of meeting compliance requirements than keeping an archive of emails. Also, a wiki becomes a chronology of the board’s activity that any new board member can consult to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

Does your board, team, or group use a wiki this way?

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