Video conferences allow remote board members to see one another, even if they use different types of devices. For meetings, nonprofits have the option of choosing among a variety conference platforms, such as Zoom, GoToMeeting WebEx, and Google Meet. Nonprofits also have the option of using board management software that has an interface for meetings that allows remote participation.

The ability to see the https://www.board-room.blog expressions of participants could encourage more interactive and participative meetings. To ensure that everyone is heard, have the chair call on board members who haven’t spoke and limit the number of people speaking at a time. This ensures that no participant is dominating the discussion and allows for a more well-balanced process of decision-making. To minimize background noise, request that participants turn off their phones and press the silence button when they’re not talking.

Some directors are not familiar with a virtual meeting environment and are hesitant to speak out and hinder their participation and the effectiveness of the meeting. This can be solved by providing an easy-to-use meeting interface, allowing an education session to familiarize attendees with the platform and encouraging them to practice prior to the actual meeting. The board can also create an agenda that is strict and has deadlines for each item. This will ensure that the meeting runs smoothly and that the desired outcome is attained. Board members can highlight or take notes on digital documents to enhance their involvement and speed up the meetings. They can share their notes with other members to facilitate collaboration and enhance the quality of their minutes.