Despite the current pandemic, nonprofit boards still have to be regularly meeting to make decisions. Virtual meetings are an efficient solution to increase the efficiency and engagement of board members. These online meetings are not without obstacles. Some board members may not be comfortable using new technology, while others may not have the technical skills.
Virtual meetings can cause a lack of motivation and concentration, particularly in long meetings. Participants suffer from “zoom fatigue” and are easily distracted by other things on their screens. To prevent this, it’s essential to keep the meeting brief. It is important to ensure that the agenda is clearly communicated, and encourage attendees to speak up during the meeting. It is also beneficial to utilize polls and questions to keep people engaged.
Another issue that can arise from virtual board meetings is the inability to see the body language or facial expressions of board members. This can hinder the engagement of board members and affect the effectiveness of the meeting. To combat this board members must be encouraged to look at this site take a break and watch a video during the meeting, so they are able to discern non-verbal signals of their peers.
The challenge of recording and distributing minutes from board meetings is another challenge. Recording the entire meeting is crucial in the event that a board member is unable to attend. This allows future boards to review previous decisions and gain a better understanding of the reasons behind a specific decision. It is recommended to use a board-management tool that provides a central archive of all meeting material, both current and historic.