Online board meeting is becoming a regular feature of the modern nonprofit world, with the number and popularity increasing as more boards take advantage of video-based meetings. Some people believe that face-to–face meeting are better. However, it is crucial to know how to utilize virtual technology to help facilitate productive discussion and decision-making.
1. Make use of an online board meeting platform.
There are a variety of video conferencing services online that offer free and low-cost options, to host your virtual board meeting. The most important thing is to select one that works for everyone on your board. If your board members are scattered across the country, or the globe, it is ideal to offer a screen sharing feature. If your board is on a budget you might want to consider audio-only phone conference options for those without video capabilities.
2. Begin the meeting with the agenda in a concise manner.
A more concise agenda improves the flow of your gathering and keeps it from becoming data management overly long. It also forces you to only cover the most important issues and ensures that everyone has the chance to speak.
3. Set the meeting up for a time that is most convenient for all participants.
If your board members reside in different areas of the country or even across the world, you will be required to ensure that the time of day you schedule your meeting works for everyone. Also, you should take into consideration other factors that might impact their ability to participate including early mornings or late night hours frequent commutes, or common break times.
