Board meetings online continue to grow as the world becomes aware of the benefits of virtual collaboration. This trend is a great way to connect your members and reduce the geographical restrictions that would otherwise force them to travel to meetings. However, there remain some hurdles to be overcome in the transition to this new method. Boards can promote a robust participation in board meetings remotely by preparing ahead and using smart facilitation.
In addition to determining the meeting’s agenda it is important to ensure that all participants have access to the equipment they require for the call. It’s a good idea to ask participants to be provided with a test link that includes login information in advance. They should also be instructed to turn off their microphones when they’re not talking. This will cut down on background noise, and permit them to hear who is speaking. It is also an ideal idea to establish a protocol for conversations (i.e. It is recommended to establish a protocol for asking the group’s attention (e.g.
Virtual board meetings can be challenging to manage because it’s hard to create the same sense of comfort that in-person meetings provide. Icebreakers are one way to build rapport. Ferrazzi Greenlight for instance has designed a variety of exercises that are able to be conducted during a video conference for instance, the “sweet and bitter” check-in, where participants share the one thing for which they are grateful and one aspect that they struggle with personally or professionally. This allows for a candid and vulnerable conversation that can aid in building relationships between the board members.