The flu pandemic has forced nonprofit boards to make difficult decisions and engage the community from a distance. This means that effective virtual board communication is more important than ever. Fortunately, there are easy steps to for improving remote meetings.
Make sure that everyone has the agenda and other pertinent documents prior to the date. This will enable them to prepare effectively and engage in discussion that will lead to productive outcomes.
Make use of video conferencing software that has excellent audio and video quality, and a feature that allows you to record meetings. You should be able to share the link to the meeting with anyone who is not able to attend the meeting, or needs to review the material later.
Encourage participants to turn their camera on and speak clearly into the camera. This will make the discussion more personal and allow everyone to keep on track of who’s speaking. It’s a great idea to have the chairperson of the meeting go around and ask every member for their comments. Alternatively, have attendees raise their hands and wait to be asked.
Avoid using expletives and sarcasm when you are in a virtual space. They can be misinterpreted, causing irritation or confusion.
Select a board-management solution that provides a range of tools that can be used to conduct efficient remote meetings. These include an agenda builder and video integration. It should have 24/7 assistance for any issues that might arise.