By far, the best way to make sure you have an awesome board is to start by having awesome Board members.  In Startup Boards, Brad Feld talks about how having awesome Board members is managing them well giving transparent information, well organized, with enough lead time before a meeting; running great and engaging meetings; mixing social time with business time; and being a Board member yourself at some other organization so you see the other side of the equation. Its about taking the process of choosing Board Members seriously, interviewing many people, checking references, and remembering that there should be no fear in rejecting a wrong fit.