Remote work and virtual board meetings appear to be here for the long haul, because the pandemic has forced companies to adjust to new working methods. The flexibility of a virtual meeting allows participants to attend without having to be concerned about travel restrictions or quarantine periods, as well as reducing the cost of hotels and flights.
Online meetings are easy to set up and they’ve become more common in mission-driven organizations who wish to keep their communications on track despite the COVID-19 crisis. It is important to be aware of the risks of digital meetings so you can avoid them and ensure that your online board meetings are as effective as possible.
The platform you use to host your virtual or hybrid meetings is of paramount importance. Choose one with the Waiting Room feature that guards your meeting from participants who are not authorized and only admits participants who have been invited by the host or co-host. Provide training to your board members so they can become familiar with the technology.
Encourage your board members to use a headset or speakerphone during the meeting, and to tidy their office space so that it looks camera-ready and free of personal images and other distracting objects. Also remind them to sit in a chair and not lying on their bed or on their couch in order to make to look more professional and professional at the time of the meeting. In addition, encourage them speak up at the beginning of the meeting, so that everyone can be heard and start the meeting on a positive note.