Online board meetings are a convenient and efficient method for non-profit organizations to conduct business. However, just like any other meeting, the effectiveness of an online board meeting is affected by many factors. This article outlines how to make virtual board meetings more efficient and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
Unengagement
Many boards of non-profit organizations struggle to keep remote attendees engaged during meetings. This is particularly when your organization has moved to a remote meeting from face-to-face meetings. Meetings can suffer from low participation when your board members aren’t accustomed to video-based communication or if they’re secure document handling in data rooms struggling with the technology itself.
It is hard to convince participants to take part in the virtual meeting if committee reports aren’t the most interesting part 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 from your board are accountable to document all critical discussions and decisions from virtual meetings. They should be careful not to describe informal discussions or personal opinions and should strive for an equilibrium between thoroughness and conciseness. It is essential to record the minutes of your meetings in writing and have a system for storing all documents safely including governing documents and financial reports. This will help avoid confusion and help improve accountability.
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