Online board meetings can be a convenient method for nonprofits as well as their staff to conduct business. However, just like any meeting, the efficiency of a meeting held online can be impacted by many factors. This article offers tips on https://protectednetwork.org/ibabs-board-management-software/ making your virtual board meetings productive and addresses the most common mistakes that can be avoided.
The lack of engagement
Many boards for nonprofits discover that they struggle to keep attendees from remote locations entertained during meetings. This is especially true when you have switched from face-toface meetings to remote sessions. Meetings can suffer from low participation in the event that your board members aren’t accustomed to video-based communication, or if they are struggling with the technology itself.
Committee reports are usually the least interesting items on the agenda, and it is difficult to get attendees to discuss them in a virtual meeting. Encourage your committee chairpersons to include in their reports a question or request for feedback from the Board.
Inadequate meeting minutes
The minutes-takers of your board are responsible to record all discussions and decisions from virtual meetings. They should refrain from describing informal discussions or personal opinions, and should strive for an equilibrium between thoroughness and conciseness. It is also crucial that the minutes are recorded accurately and that you have an established system to ensure secure storage of all documents such as governing documents, financial reports, and more. This will prevent confusion and increase accountability between meetings.