Despite numerous board members’ wishes to return to meetings in person, the pandemic has made it necessary for the majority of us to continue to meet online. This hybrid model will not disappear and boards need to find an effective method of conducting meetings that can accommodate both in-person as well as remote attendees.
To ensure that meetings remain productive for the board, the chair of the board has to adhere to the agenda and give clear instructions. Digital tools can help accelerate the process of meeting by giving attendees the ability to work through tasks faster. It’s also crucial that attendees in person or remotely receive the same materials in advance. This can include documents and slides that are used during the meeting as along with any notes and information that was sent out in advance.
Prioritizing engagement will ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to hybrid meetings. To accomplish this, you must ensure that the virtual platform functions properly and all of the necessary links have been used and downloaded prior to the beginning of the meeting. In addition, having a designated staff member join the meeting and supervise these functions will help you to detect and resolve any issues early.
In the same way, muting the microphone when you’re not talking will block background noises and echoes. This allows everyone to focus on the subject at hand. Before you begin the meeting, it’s a their explanation good idea for you to close all other tabs, or to pause any videos or music. Finally, using a board management software with accessibility features can make your event more accessible to those with vision, hearing or speech disabilities.
