When it comes to managing the challenges of running a nonprofit boards are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Virtual meetings allow them to reduce expenses and eliminate the hassle of travel and scheduling conflicts. They also allow board members more time to focus on volunteering and committee work.
Virtual meetings can be more engaging than in-person meetings if they are conducted properly. It’s essential to use business software that supports dozens of online collaboration tools, which help participants engage with each other more effectively. It’s not unusual for these tools to have chat functionality and other features that enable people to talk face-to-face during the meeting and even take breaks to make the meeting more energetic.
It can be difficult to discern body language and facial expressions when you’re in a virtual gathering. It’s also harder for the chairperson to keep everyone engaged. It’s easy for one person to dominate the discussion and block other members from speaking up.
This is a serious issue that can cause a lot of frustration. To address this issue, it is important to adhere to the traditional structure of the board meeting and make sure that all voices are heard. This means keeping the meetings short and not bringing in topics that aren’t pertinent to the agenda, and making sure that everyone can participate without any technical issues. It’s also helpful to have someone in the meeting who can troubleshoot any issues that arise during the meeting.
