Hybrid board meetings have a number advantages over traditional in person or completely remote meetings. They can assist nonprofits overcome geographical https://itsboardroom.com/top-tips-for-dealing-with-difficult-board-members/ barriers, connect with more perspectives, increase inclusion and boost participation. But they also face particular challenges that must be addressed in order for the program to last long-term.
It’s crucial to keep these considerations in mind when drafting the strategy for board meetings. It is important to evaluate your hybrid meetings in order to determine what is effective and what isn’t working. This will help you prepare for the future and ensure that those who are unable to attend remain as involved as those present in the room.
One of the main concerns with hybrid meetings is that the in-person attendees speak too much and leave remote members out of it. To prevent this, it’s important for the chairperson to be focused and structured when taking remarks from the members. Digital collaboration tools like whiteboards that are online help to make this process more efficient, and they encourage an even and balanced discussion that allows everyone to be heard.
Another crucial aspect is ensuring that remote directors can hear and see the attendees in person clearly. This requires top-quality audio and video equipment that is easy to set up for hybrid meetings, and should be accessible to all attendees.
It’s essential to set the mood for engagement prior to the start of a hybrid meeting by using icebreakers and warm-up exercises. This will help everyone to settle in and start the discussion. Additionally, you must ensure that members who are not in the room can access and review all board documents prior to the meeting. It is easy to accomplish this if you utilize an online portal for board members that automatically updates documents upon their arrival.