Online board meetings are a convenient and effective method for nonprofits to conduct business. But, like every meeting, the efficiency of a board meeting online can be affected by various factors. This article provides tips for making your virtual board meetings efficient and discusses common pitfalls that can be avoided.
Lack of engagement
Many nonprofit boards discover that they face challenges in keeping remote participants engaged during meetings. This is particularly true if you’ve switched from face-to-face meetings to remote sessions. Meetings may suffer from low participation when your board members aren’t used to interacting via video or are struggling with the technology itself.
Committee reports are typically the least interesting items on the agenda, and it is difficult to get people to participate in discussions about them in the virtual meeting. Encourage your committee members 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 for recording all important discussions and decisions made during virtual meetings. They should avoid describing informal discussions or personal opinions, and should seek to achieve an equilibrium between thoroughness and clarity. It is important to record your minutes verbatim and have an organized system for storing all documents with security, including governing documents and financial reports. This will help avoid confusion and improve accountability.