In-person board meetings give more opportunities for conversations and non-verbal cues that aren’t easily replicated in a virtual setting. With a little planning and effort nonprofits can still have the atmosphere of a meeting when changing to a digital format.
Virtual board meetings can be just as productive as in-person sessions by using the best practices. Follow these suggestions to ensure that your meetings will be effective and enjoyable:
Comprehensive Preparation
Virtual meetings require more thorough preparation than sessions in person. A detailed agenda, including clearly defined discussion topics and time limits for each topic, should be distributed prior to the meeting so directors can look up any information they need and prepare questions or suggestions before the meeting gets underway.
Share Meeting Materials Early
It’s easy to lose your focus in a virtual conference when you are able to easily check your email or social media. Distribute all meeting materials including documents, materials, and other information at least one week prior to the meeting. This will stop participants from having to attend meetings for too long and will allow them to have more time to take part in discussions and take decisions.
Use a virtual board management software platform, like OnBoard to give your board members access to all the necessary resources and materials prior to the date of the meeting. By doing this, you can avoid the frequent distractions of technical issues and connectivity problems which can cause delays or derail meetings. To avoid these issues request your board management software provider to test all the equipment and links for every participant before the https://seboardroom.com/helpful-tips-on-how-to-run-an-effective-virtual-board-meeting meeting.