The pandemic is making it more difficult for nonprofits to generate community support and continue to operate. Many are increasingly relying on remote meeting to make crucial decisions to ensure their survival. However it can be a challenge to conduct an effective remote board meeting without the presence of all board members.
A clear, specific agenda can keep the board meeting you are hosting remotely on track and on-topic at all times. 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 all attendees as far in advance as possible to allow them to prepare. This will help ensure they have a complete understanding of what’s going to be discussed and will allow them to add any points to the agenda ahead of time. Utilizing an online board portal that is secure to distribute agendas and other materials will also aid in reducing security risk.
Video can be used to increase participation in remote board meetings, by adding a vital face-toface aspect to discussions. In addition the video allows for attendees to look at the body language of other people and note non-verbal signals like impatience, boredom or even excitement.
It can be a challenge for busy boards to schedule meetings in person, especially when they have many commitments both professional and personal. Finding a time that works for everyone is a lot easier using remote board meeting software. Tools like SavvyCal’s free polls for meetings allow you to propose multiple times for your meeting and let everyone decide which times are best for them. This eliminates the need for back-and-forth emails and saves you time and hassle.