Online board meetings can be an efficient method for non-profit organizations and their staff to conduct business. However, just like any meeting, the productivity of a board meeting online is affected by a variety of factors. This article will help you make virtual board meetings more productive and common pitfalls you should avoid.
Inactivity
Many nonprofit boards struggle to keep attendees from remote locations engaged during meetings. This is especially true when you have switched from face-toface meetings to remote sessions. Meetings could be affected by low participation when members of the board aren’t comfortable speaking via video or aren’t comfortable with the technology.
It can be difficult to convince participants to participate in meetings via video when committee reports aren’t the most interesting portion of the agenda. Encourage your committee chairpersons to include in their reports a specific question or request for feedback from the Board.
Inadequate meeting minutes
Minute-takers on your board are responsible for documenting all critical discussions and decision from virtual meetings. They should be careful not to describe personal opinions or informal discussions and should aim for an appropriate balance between clarity and thoroughness. It is crucial to record your minutes in a formal manner and have the ability to store all documents securely including governing documents as well as financial reports. This will reduce confusion and increase accountability between meetings.