https://www.board-room.blog/board-members-interacting-with-staff-rules-and-instruments
Video conferences allow remote board members to see each other, despite different kinds of devices. For meetings, nonprofits can pick among a variety of video conference platforms, including Zoom, GoToMeeting WebEx, and Google Meet. Nonprofits can also use a board management software that has a meeting interface that allows for remote participation without leaving the platform.
The ability to see the expressions of participants can help encourage more interactive and participatory meetings. To ensure everyone can be heard, the chair should invite board members to speak who haven’t yet spoken, and limit the number of people speaking at one time. This ensures that the discussion isn’t focused on a single person and provides a more balanced decision-making process. To reduce background noise, make sure that everyone turns off their phones and hit the mute button when they aren’t talking.
Some directors might not be familiar with the virtual meeting environment and may be hesitant to speak to the group. This can hinder their participation and the effectiveness. This can be addressed by providing an easy-to-use meeting interface, allowing a training session to familiarize participants with the platform and encouraging them to practice prior to the actual meeting. The board can also develop a strict agenda with deadlines for each item. This will ensure that the meeting runs smoothly and that the goal is attained. Board members can highlight documents on their computers and take notes to improve their participation and speed up the meeting. They can share their notes with other members to help collaborate and improve the quality of their minutes.
