Due to the ongoing concerns about in-person meetings, many nonprofit board members now embrace hybrid meeting alternatives. It is essential for the boards that decide to adopt using a hybrid model in the long haul to put a premium on engagement and provide high-quality virtual experiences to their attendees. Here are a few important tips on how to do that:
Start the meeting on the right note by introducing icebreakers and check-in activities. This makes it easier for attendees to connect over their screens and feel they’re part of the same conversation.
Use a top video conferencing software that gives you more than just audio and meeting tools. Make sure you choose a program that includes accessibility features, such as dyslexia-friendly fonts and text-to-speech, to ensure that all participants can fully participate without any barriers.
You might want to consider using a digital whiteboard such as Mural or Miro that allows in-person and remote participants to work in real-time during the meeting. This will allow everyone to communicate with each other and collaborate, and also create documentation, which will make the process of synchronous follow-up much simpler.
As you’re working through an issue, establish time limits for comments from both in-person and remote attendees to prevent them from drifting off topic or spending too much time on a single point. This will keep meetings on the right track. It is important that the chair of the board is present during the meeting to encourage participation. The chair should actively solicit feedback and communicate with the attendees, especially people who are more introverted, to ensure that everyone feels heard.