Virtual Board Meetings can be a fantastic alternative to face-to-face meetings. They offer a flexible, convenient way for nonprofits to connect their board members and directors without having to arrange to travel or work around busy schedules. However, the transition from in-person to virtual meetings could present difficulties and potential pitfalls. To ensure an efficient, productive and engaging board meeting, it’s essential that nonprofit leaders follow certain guidelines to ensure things are running smoothly.
Keep the focus of the meeting on the agenda.
In a virtual meeting it’s easy to drift off-topic or lose interest in the discussion. It’s crucial that the participants stay focused on the agenda, and that the board members don’t stray from the content. It’s also helpful https://whichboardroom.co for companies to record their meetings online and distribute minutes of meetings after each meeting is concluded.
Increase Engagement of Attendees
It’s crucial that non-profits maintain high levels of board member engagement when transitioning to a virtual meeting format. Meetings can get awkward and tense when attendees aren’t able to connect with each other on a digital platform. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential that the chairperson of the board set an appropriate tone and atmosphere for each meeting and set rules for participation and communication.
One of the biggest challenges with virtual meetings is avoiding the common “zoom fatigue”. Too long meetings can leave attendees feeling exhausted and disengaged. Presenters should speak about their videos and slides prior the virtual meeting starts to keep attendees entertained. They should also encourage attendees to take short breaks between each session.