Effective Virtual Board Meetings

Board meetings in person provide more opportunities for natural conversation and non-verbal signals that aren’t possible to replicate in a virtual space. However, with a bit of planning and effort, nonprofits can maintain effective meeting dynamics when switching to an online format.

Adopting proven best practices allows virtual board meetings to be as efficient as those held in person. Consider the following tips to ensure that your meetings will be successful and entertaining:

Comprehensive Preparation

Virtual meetings require more comprehensive preparation than in-person sessions. Directors should be provided with a written agenda that clearly defines the discussions topics and the time limit for each. This will allow them to search for any information needed and prepare questions or suggestions prior to the meeting.

Share Meeting Materials Early

When you can easily check your social media or your email and lose track of the meeting. Make it a habit to distribute all important meeting materials, information and documents at a minimum of one week before the session. Doing so will help avoid participants from wasting valuable meeting time and allow them to participate in discussions and take part in the decision-making process.

Utilize a virtual management software platform, such as OnBoard, to give your board members access to all required items and resources ahead of the meeting. By doing this, you can avoid the common distractions of connectivity issues and technical issues that can derail or delay meetings. To help avoid these issues ensure that transcation room your board management software company test all connections and equipment for each participant prior to the start of the meeting.

Written by Roberto Contreras