Virtual Board Meetings are a wonderful alternative to meetings in person. They are a flexible and efficient way for non-profit organizations to engage their boards and directors without having to make arrangements for travel or schedule around busy schedules. However the transition from live meetings to virtual meetings can have its difficulties and potential pitfalls. To ensure that you have an effective, productive and engaging board meeting, it’s crucial that nonprofit leaders follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that things boardmaps run smoothly.

Keep the focus of the meeting on the agenda.

It’s easy for people to lose focus or lose interest in a virtual meeting. It’s crucial that the participants remain focused on the agenda and board members don’t stray too far from the content. It’s also beneficial for organizations to keep a record of their virtual meetings and distribute minutes of meetings at the end of each meeting.

Increase Attendee Engagement

It is essential that nonprofits maintain high levels of board member involvement when they transition to a virtual meeting format. Meetings can become uncomfortable and stressful when attendees aren’t able to connect with each other on the internet. To avoid this, the chair of the board needs to set an atmosphere and tone for every meeting. They should also set rules for participation and communication.

Avoiding the dreaded “zoom fatigue” is among the biggest challenges when it concerns virtual meetings. Meetings that are too long can cause participants to feel tired and disconnected. Presenters should be able to narrate their video and slides before the virtual meeting starts to keep participants engaged. They should also encourage participants to take short breaks between each session.