read new article at protectednetwork.org

Online board meetings are a great way to bring your Board together, despite the limitations of space, time or travel. There are challenges in making these meetings as productive as you can. This article explores ways to ensure that your online board meetings are most productive.

Keeping everyone engaged. Online board members might feel less inclined than in person to speak up, which could make it difficult to conduct the meeting and impede discussion. This can also cause issues with miscommunication and confusion. This can be resolved by ensuring the appropriate technology is used and clear protocols for communication are set for virtual meetings.

Board meetings require a significant amount of preparation. Using board management software with document storage can make it easier to keep track of the tasks and assignments. This allows the meeting to be focused on the most important issues and increases the efficiency of your board.

The mute button is an important feature in online board meetings. Many people have kids or pets at home while they work, and these distractions can make it difficult to have a focused discussion. It’s easy to end interruptions by having everyone talk in a muffled voice until they can speak. A maximum time for speaking can also be agreed upon to prevent one person from dominating the discussion. Anyone who takes minutes will ensure that all points and discussions are documented. Set a time frame for each agenda item can aid in ensuring that the meeting is efficient.