In-person board meetings provide more opportunities for conversation and non-verbal cues which aren’t able to be replicated in a virtual setting. With a little effort and planning, nonprofits can still maintain the atmosphere of a meeting when switching to digital formats.
Virtual board meetings can be equally effective as in-person meetings by adopting best practices. To ensure that your meetings are productive and fun Consider the following suggestions:
Comprehensive Preparation
Virtual meetings require a more thorough and detailed preparation than in-person meetings. Directors should receive an agenda that clearly defines the topics of discussion and time limits for each. This will allow them to study any information needed and prepare questions or suggestions prior to the meeting.
Share Meeting Materials Early
When you can check your email or social media and forget about the meeting. Make it a habit to provide all necessary meeting materials, information, and documents at least one week prior to the meeting. This will help participants avoid spending time in meetings and give them more time to participate in discussions and make decisions.
Utilize a virtual management software platform, such as OnBoard, to give your board members access to all necessary items and resources ahead of the meeting. This way you can avoid common distractions of connectivity issues and technical issues which can cause delays or derail meetings. To prevent these issues you should have your board management software company check all the connections and equipment for every effective virtual board meetings participant prior to the start of the meeting.