Effective Virtual Board Meetings

In-person meetings permit more natural conversations and nonverbal cues, which are not possible in a virtual environment. With a little planning and effort, nonprofits can keep the effectiveness of their meetings when they switch to virtual formats.

Virtual board meetings can be just as productive as in-person sessions if you are following best practices. Use these tips to ensure that your meetings are effective and enjoyable:

Comprehensive Preparation

Virtual meetings require a more thorough planning process than in-person sessions. Before the meeting, directors should receive an agenda with clearly defined topics for discussion and the time limit for each. This will allow them to research any relevant information and formulate questions or ideas before the meeting.

Start sharing meeting materials early

It’s easy for people to lose their focus in a virtual meeting if you can easily check the internet or social media. It is important to send out all the important meeting materials, information, and documents at least a week before the session. This will prevent participants from wasting time during meetings and will allow them to have more time to take part in discussions and take decisions.

Utilize a virtual management software platform, such as OnBoard, to give your board members access to all required materials and resources prior to the start of the meeting. You can stay clear of the distractions that come with connectivity and technical issues, which can delay meetings or derail. To avoid these issues, have your board management software company http://seboardroom.com/how-to-set-up-text-to-donate-in-a-few-easy-steps/ test all connections and equipment for every participant prior to the start of the meeting.