Virtual Board Meetings are a wonderful alternative to meetings in person. They can be an easy and flexible way for non-profit organizations, to connect with their board members and directors. However the transition from in-person to virtual meetings can have its problems and drawbacks. To ensure an efficient, engaging and effective board meeting, non-profit leaders should adhere to a few rules to keep things running smoothly.
Keep the focus of the meeting on the agenda.
When conducting a virtual meeting it’s easy to wander off-topic or lose interest in the discussion. It’s essential that participants stay focused on the agenda, and that board members don’t wander off from the agenda’s content. It’s also helpful for companies to keep track of their virtual meetings and distribute minutes of meetings following each meeting’s conclusion.
Increase Attendee Engagement
It is crucial that non-profits maintain a high degree of board member participation when they change to a virtual format. Meetings can become stressful and uncomfortable when attendees struggle to communicate with each with one another via a digital platform. To avoid this, the chairman of the board should set an atmosphere and tone for each meeting. They should also establish rules for participation and communication.
One of the biggest challenges for virtual meetings is to avoid the dreaded “zoom fatigue”. Meetings that are too long make participants feel exhausted and disconnected from one other. To reduce the length of a virtual meeting and help attendees remain engaged it is vital that presenters speak over their slides and videos prior the meeting begins, as well as to encourage attendees to take brief breaks between sessions.
