Despite the current pandemic, nonprofit boards are required to meet regularly to make decisions. Virtual meetings are a practical solution that increases the efficiency and participation of board members. The online meetings aren’t without obstacles. Some board members may not be comfortable with modern technology, while others have www.boardroomtx.com/sponsoring-vs-mentoring/ a limited understanding of technology.
Virtual meetings can also result in a lack of motivation and focus, particularly during long meetings. Participants can develop “zoom fatigue” or be easily distracted by other things on their screen. It is important to keep meetings brief to avoid this. Make sure the agenda is clearly communicated and encourage attendees to speak up during the meeting. You can also employ polls and questions to keep the attention of the audience.
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 impact the participation of board members and reduce the effectiveness of the meeting. To combat this, board directors should be encouraged to use video during meetings to ensure that they are able to accurately discern the non-verbal signals of their peers.
Other challenges include the challenge in recording and distributing board meeting minutes. It is crucial to capture the entire meeting in case any board members are unable to attend. This allows future boards to review previous decisions and understand the reasoning behind a specific decision. It is best to use a tool for managing boards which provides a central repository of all meeting material as well as historical.