Video conferences allow remote board participants to see each other, despite different kinds of devices. Nonprofits are able to choose among a range of low-cost or free video conferencing platforms for their meetings, such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx and Google Meet. Nonprofits can also use software for managing boards that includes meeting interfaces that allow remote participation.
The ability to observe the expressions on the faces of participants can lead to more interactive and participative meetings. To ensure that everyone is heard the chair should invite members of the board who are not yet to speak and limit the number of people who can speak at once. This helps ensure that the discussion doesn’t get concentrated by one individual and facilitates a more balanced decision-making process. To reduce background noise, have attendees turn off their phones and use the mute button when not talking.
Certain directors might not be familiar with the virtual meeting experience They may be hesitant to speak out. This limits their engagement and the effectiveness. This can be addressed by providing a user-friendly meeting interface, offering an introduction to the meeting platform, introducing attendees with the platform and encouraging them to practice prior to the actual meeting. The board can also create a strict agenda that board portals limits the duration of each item to ensure that the meeting runs efficiently and the desired result is achieved. Board directors can highlight documents on their computers and make notes to enhance their participation and speed up the meeting. They can also share their notes with other members to help collaborate and enhance the quality of their minutes.