Despite the current outbreak the nonprofit boards have to meet regularly and take decisions. Virtual meetings are a convenient solution that increases board member productivity and engagement. These meetings online are not without difficulties. Some board members may not be comfortable using new technology, while others not be proficient in technology.
Virtual meetings can also result in an absence of motivation and concentration, particularly during long meetings. Attendees experience “zoom fatigue” and can easily get distracted by other activities on their screen. To avoid this, it’s essential to keep the meeting short. Make sure that the agenda is clearly communicated, and encourage attendees to speak up throughout the meeting. It is also helpful to use questions and polls to maintain attention.
The inability to observe body language or facial expressions is another issue that can arise in virtual board meetings. This can impact the engagement of board members, as well as the effectiveness of the meeting. To prevent this board members should be encouraged to take a break and watch a video during the meeting to ensure they are able to detect non-verbal signals from their peers.
Other issues include the difficulties of recording and disseminating minutes of board meetings. It is vital to record the entire meeting in case any board members are in a position to miss. This will also allow future boards to go over their past decisions and learn the reasoning behind a specific decision. The best method to avoid these challenges is to use a tool for managing board meetings that can provide a central archive of all materials for meetings that are both historical and current.
