The pandemic has made life more difficult than remote board meeting ever before for non-profit organizations to function and gain community support, and many depend on remote board meetings to make crucial decisions and ensure their continued existence. However, it can be challenging to conduct an effective remote board meeting without the physical presence of all members.
A clearly defined agenda will aid in keeping the board meeting remote focused and on the right track. Include your board members in the agenda-setting process to find out the topics that need to be discussed, and then send the agenda to everyone as far in advance as you can so that they are able to prepare. This will ensure that they are fully aware of the topics to be covered and can include any items on the agenda before hand. A secure board portal for the distribution of agendas and other materials can also reduce security risks.
Video can increase the participation in remote board meetings by adding a vital face-to-face element to the discussions. Additionally the video allows for participants to read other people’s body language and note non-verbal cues like boredom, impatience, or enthusiasm.
It can be difficult for busy boards to schedule meetings in person, especially when they have numerous commitments both professional and personal. Finding an appropriate time for everyone is a lot easier with remote board meeting software. SavvyCal’s free polls for meetings, for example, allow you to propose multiple times for your meetings. Then, everyone can choose the times that work best for them. This will save you time and effort, by removing the need to send back-and-forth emails.