The spread of the disease, despite the desire of many board members to return to in-person meetings has forced us to continue to hold meetings online. This hybrid model isn’t going to go away, and it’s imperative that boards find ways to conduct effective meetings that include in-person attendees as well as those joining remotely.
In order to keep meetings productive for the board, the chair of the board has to adhere to the agenda and give clear guidelines. Digital tools can help to speed up the process of meetings by permitting attendees to work through the agenda more quickly. It’s also important that attendees who are in person and remote receive the same materials prior to the time of the meeting. This can include documents and slides that are used during the meeting, as along with any notes and information that was distributed in advance.
Prioritizing engagement will ensure that everyone is on the same page during hybrid meetings. To accomplish this, it’s crucial to ensure that the virtual platform is working correctly and that all required links have been clicked and downloaded prior to the beginning of the meeting. In addition, having a designated staff member join the meeting and monitor these functions will allow you to spot and resolve any issues before they become a problem.
Similar to muting the microphone when you’re not speaking will eliminate echoes and background noise, allowing everyone to focus on the discussion in front of them. It’s also a good idea to close any other tabs and to pause any music or videos prior www.itsboardroom.com/how-to-set-up-successful-hybrid-board-meetings/ beginning the meeting. Additionally, using a board management software with accessibility features can make your meeting more accessible to those with hearing, vision and speech impairments.
