Online board meetings are a convenient way for nonprofits and their staff members to conduct business. As with any gathering, a range of aspects can impact the efficiency of an internet board meeting. This article offers tips on making your virtual board meetings efficient and addresses common pitfalls that can be avoided.
The lack of engagement
Many nonprofit boards discover that they are struggling to keep members who are not in the office. This is especially true when you’ve changed from face-toface meetings to remote sessions. Meetings may suffer from low participation in the event that your board members aren’t accustomed to video-based communication or are struggling with the technology itself.
It is difficult to get participants to take part in meetings via video when committee reports are the least interesting element of the agenda. Encourage your committee chairpersons to include in their reports a specific question or request for feedback from the Board.
Inadequate meeting minutes
Minute-takers in your board are accountable to document all critical meetings and the decisions that are made from virtual meetings. They should avoid describing informal discussions or personal opinions, and aim for an appropriate balance between completeness and clarity. It is also essential that the minutes are recorded accurately, and that you have an established system to ensure the safe storage of all documents such as Strategic Planning governing documents, financial reports, and more. This will reduce confusion and increase accountability.