Online board meetings are a convenient and effective method for non-profit organizations to conduct business. Like any other meeting, a number of factors can affect the productivity of an internet board meeting. This article outlines how to make virtual board meetings more efficient and the most common pitfalls to avoid.

The lack of engagement

Many boards of nonprofits struggle to keep remote attendees engaged during meetings. This is especially true when you’ve switched from face-to-face meetings to remote sessions. Meetings could be affected by low participation when members of the board don’t feel comfortable communicating via video, or if they struggle with the technology.

Committee reports are typically the least entertaining items on the agenda, which is why it’s difficult to get people to participate in discussions about them during the virtual meeting. To combat this, get your committee chairpersons to include a question or request for feedback from the board in their reports.

Inadequate meeting minutes

Minute-takers in your board are responsible to document all critical discussions and decisions made during virtual meetings. They should avoid describing personal opinions or informal discussions and strive for a balance between concision and thoroughness. It is also crucial that your minutes are recorded verbatim and that you have a system in place to ensure safe storage of all documents, including governing documents, financial reports, and more. This will avoid confusion and increase accountability.

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