Especially in larger boards, some board members will go through entire meetings without contributing any thoughts to the conversation. Obviously, they cannot make a significant contribution if they don’t speak up. Boards need to hear from everybody, not just the vocal few. A good board chair will take time to go around the room and make sure everybody has a chance to weigh in on important discussions. The board chair can also ask specific questions to individuals who may have useful information or opinions. He or she may also bring in a skilled facilitator for critical discussions when everybody needs to participate, including the board chair.