Despite the current pandemic nonprofit boards must still meet regularly to make decisions. Virtual meetings are a practical solution that can increase the productivity and engagement of board members. The online meetings aren’t without challenges. Some board members might not be comfortable with modern technology, and some may be lacking technological expertise.
Virtual meetings can also result in a lack in motivation and concentration, particularly during long meetings. Participants suffer from “zoom fatigue” and can easily get distracted by other things on their screens. To prevent this, it is important to keep the meeting brief. Be sure to clearly communicate the agenda and encourage the participants to speak during the meeting. It is also beneficial to use questions and polls to keep the attention of attendees.
The inability of observing body language or facial expressions is a different issue in virtual board meetings. This could affect the participation of board members and the effectiveness of the meeting. To combat this board directors must be encouraged to utilize video during meetings in order to ensure that they precisely discern the non-verbal cues of their colleagues.
The challenge of recording and disseminating minutes of board meetings is a different issue. It is important to capture the entire meeting in case any board members are not able to attend. This also allows future boards to look back on their past decisions and learn the reasoning behind a particular decision. It is recommended to use a board-management tool that provides a central archive of all meeting materials, both current and historic.
https://boardroomtx.com/how-to-run-board-meetings-in-times-of-crisis/