Online board meetings offer more flexibility and convenience than in-person sessions. They can help save time and money by reducing travel and avoiding scheduling conflicts. They allow a higher percentage of board members to be involved and avoid blind spots in decision-making and secure document sharing groupthink. However they can be a challenge to manage efficiently. Board members may lose interest or do not have the necessary tools to take part effectively. The most frequent problems that can affect a meeting are faulty audio and video quality, unreliable Internet connectivity, and distracting sounds.
The discussion should continue to flow
People are more likely to disengage from a remote meeting as opposed to an actual face-to-face setting. They might be enticed to check their email or receive a phone call from their child. The meeting could also get in a long discussion or someone might not remember to raise their hand to ask an exact question.
To prevent these issues It is crucial to have clear guidelines for participation. Board members can assist each and encourage collaboration during the discussion, asking feedback frequently and creating opportunities for members to speak up. Set a clear agenda for the meeting, and ensure that the appropriate technology is in place.
In the course of preparing for your meeting, it’s a good idea to test your video connection and other equipment and encourage your board members to do the same. This is particularly crucial if you have participants from different states or regions who may be attending the meeting remotely.