Online board meetings are virtual meetings that make use of a reliable video conference software. Meetings can be held at home or from other locations with internet access. These meetings offer many benefits such as improved governance for nonprofits and efficiency of meetings and expanded participant diversification.
When you’re considering using online board meetings, the first thing to check local laws and regulations, and with your mission-driven group. They are generally prohibited by the internal policy of mission-driven corporations or organizations, and can be illegal in specific states or regions.
Participants should check that their equipment is working correctly prior to a virtual conference (computer headsets, headsets and microphones). The person who is organizing the meeting should create an agenda and invite everyone to join. Attach a copy to the invitation to the calendar so that everyone can see it and add notes, feedback or other comments before the scheduled time. This will make it easier to organize the meeting and increase engagement.
Board members must follow the online meeting etiquette during the meeting by turning off their camera and only speaking if they are requested to do so. The board chair should also invite volunteers to lead the discussion, and also identify the check this note-taker. In addition, the chair should conduct quick check-ins in order to ensure that all attendees are linked up and on the same page.
Once the meeting is over it’s important to follow-up with any deadlines or action items that were assigned in-person or posted on the board’s online platform. This will ensure accountability and allow board members to reach out to any members who aren’t complying in their responsibilities.