As the coronavirus epidemic is ravaging the country, nonprofit boards will have to do more to gain community support and collaborate. In addition, with the majority of board members working at a distance due to social distancing suggestions, establishing effective online board communication is essential.
The the fact that virtual meetings are synchronous makes it difficult to ensure that board members are engaged, so it’s important for meeting organizers to set up the structure of meetings that encourages interaction. Using software for virtual boardrooms that has built-in functions, such as instant messaging, document management and conferencing, is a method to achieve this.
When a conference is held in a virtual room it is crucial to have all web link the pertinent documents distributed to attendees prior to the start of the meeting. This will ensure that everyone is viewing the exact document and will prevent confusion during the meeting. It is also recommended that you use a platform that is secure and reliable. Video conferencing tools that are free for instance, might not be as secure as paid ones that offer more advanced security features like encryption and password protection.
Another method to boost the effectiveness of virtual meetings is to reiterate expectations at the beginning of each session. Make sure that participants are aware of proper communication etiquette. Meeting organizers should regularly make contact with remote participants to see if there are any questions or concerns.