As the coronavirus outbreak takes its toll on nonprofits the boards of their organizations must do more to collaborate and gain support from the community. In addition, with the majority of board members working at a distance due to social distancing recommendations, establishing effective virtual board communication is vital.
Virtual meetings are synchronous, making it difficult to get board members involved. Meeting organizers should create a structure that encourages interaction. Virtual boardroom software that has built-in features like instant messaging, document storage, and conferencing is one way to accomplish this.
If a meeting takes place in a virtual meeting room, it’s crucial to have all relevant documents distributed to VDR solutions attendees prior to the start time. This will ensure that everyone is viewing the exact version of the document and prevent confusion during the meeting. Additionally, it’s best to choose an online platform that is secure and is a trusted source. Video conferencing tools for free, for example, may not be as secure as paid ones with more advanced security features, like password protection and encryption.
Another way to increase productivity of virtual meetings is to reiterate expectations at the beginning of each session. Also, make sure that participants are aware of the proper behavior in communication. Also, meeting organizers should regularly check in with remote attendees to see whether they have any queries or concerns.