Effective Virtual Board Meetings

Meetings in person allow for more natural conversations and nonverbal cues, which are not feasible in a virtual space. But, with a little planning and effort, nonprofits can ensure an effective meeting environment when they change to the virtual format.

Utilizing the best practices of the past makes it possible for virtual board meetings to be as efficient as those held in person. To ensure that your meetings are engaging and productive Consider the following suggestions:

Comprehensive Preparation

Virtual meetings require more thorough preparation than in-person meetings. A detailed agenda, with clearly defined discussion topics and time limits for each topic must be communicated prior to the meeting to ensure directors are able to research any information they require and prepare questions or suggestions prior to when the meeting gets underway.

Share meeting materials early

It’s easy to lose track of time during a virtual meeting, especially when you can easily check email or social media. Make it a point to send out all the important meeting materials, information and documents at least one week before the session. This will to ensure that participants don’t waste valuable meeting time and will give them more time to participate in discussions and be involved in the decision-making process.

Use a virtual board-management software platform such as OnBoard to provide your board members access to all needed materials and resources prior to the meeting. You can avoid the distractions caused by connectivity issues and technical issues, which can cause meetings to be delayed or even canceled. To avoid these issues make sure that your board management software company test all connections and equipment for every participant prior to the start of the meeting.

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