Highlanders officials met New Zealand Rugby Union officials this week to discuss the franchise and exchange ideas on the future of the Super 14.
In July, the NZRU agreed to underwrite the Highlanders for the next two years, after the franchise posted significant losses.
The national union also announced it planned to increase its presence on the Highlanders board from two to three, while the Dunedin City Council was also to have a board member.
McLauchlan said the NZRU-appointed board member was expected to be named before the end of the month, as would the DCC appointee.
Highlanders officials had met NZRU chief executive Steve Tew to exchange ideas and go over issues relating to the Super 14, with McLauchlan saying they were on the same page.
"Both parties are going to be working hard in wanting the franchise to work. It is in both parties' interests to make that happen," McLauchlan said.
"We had good positive dialogue and the union want us to succeed."
The NZRU had the power to appoint the chairman, but McLauchlan said there was no indication he would be relieved of his duties.
McLauchlan and Angus Bradshaw are independent members of the board.
McLauchlan said it was not a major concern that the board had not been confirmed as it was still the off season, but he hoped it would be finalised by next month.
The NZRU was happy with the geographical spread of the five franchises and wanted teams right across the country, he said.
The NZRU had a guarantee to have the Highlanders franchise in the region for at least the next two years, he said.
The NZRU commercial agreement for the Super 14 would expire at the end of 2011, so no franchises would be guaranteed in 2012.
"We will have to wait for the Sanzar agreement to be done. But we are looking safe. There is no indication they want to move the franchise. But from 2011 onwards, we have to show we are a viable proposition."
The way to do that was for the franchise to win a few games, which would get the crowds back, McLauchlan said.
The population argument was not one he greatly supported.
The Highlanders had argued it was always going to struggle as it could draw from a population of only 282,000 as opposed to a franchise like the Blues, which drew from a population of more than 1.5 million.
"But we don't want to go down that line as they'll just move it to a region that has the population."
The NZRU was fully aware of the issues facing the Super 14.
"It is becoming too stale and same-old, same-old. Hopefully, with the new concept and more derby matches, the interest will come good again."
The financial model might have to be looked at again, McLauchlan said, suggesting cricket had the right idea.
"There they do not rely on the gate and spread the talent around. In rugby, the franchises rely totally on the gate and the talent is not spread around," McLauchlan said.
