In light of the ongoing worries about meetings in person, many board members of nonprofit organizations embrace hybrid meeting alternatives. If governing bodies opt to go with an alternative to a hybrid model in the future it is crucial to focus on engagement and provide quality virtual experiences to their attendees. Here are a few important suggestions on how to accomplish that:
Start your meeting off on the right foot with icebreakers, check-ins and icebreakers. This allows participants to connect across their screens and feel like they’re part of the same conversation.
Use a video conferencing application which offers more than just audio and meeting tools. Find software that offers accessibility features like dyslexia-friendly fonts or text-to-speech to ensure that all participants can participate fully without a barrier.
You might consider using a shared digital whiteboard application such as Mural or Miro to enable remote and in-person participants to work in real-time during the meeting. This will enable all participants to interact with one another and https://itsboardroom.com/top-tips-for-dealing-with-difficult-board-members/ collaborate, and also create documentation that will make the process of synchronous follow-up much simpler.
As you’re working through an issue, establish time limits for comments from both remote and in-person participants to avoid going off topic or focusing too much on one topic. This will also assist in keeping meetings focused and productive. For the most efficient outcomes, it is essential for the chairperson of the board to be present during the meeting and to encourage participation from all participants. The chair should actively solicit feedback and communicate with the attendees, especially people who are more introverted, to ensure that everyone is heard.
