Video conferences enable remote board members to view one another, even if they’re using different devices. Nonprofits are able to choose from a variety of free or low-cost video conference platforms for their meetings, including Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx and Google Meet. Nonprofits can also make use of board management software that has a meeting interface that allows remote participation.

The ability to see the expressions on the faces of participants can help encourage more interactive and participative meetings. To ensure that everyone is heard, the chair should summon board members who aren’t yet to speak, and limit the number of people who can speak simultaneously. This ensures that the discussion isn’t dominating by one person, and allows for a more balanced decision-making process. To minimize background noise, invite participants to switch off their mobile phones and hit the silent button when they’re not speaking.

Some directors may not be familiar with the virtual environment, and will be reluctant to speak up. This can hinder their participation and the effectiveness. This issue can be solved with an interface that is easy to use for meetings or a training session that helps attendees become familiar with the technology, and urging them practice before the meeting. The board could also design a strict agenda with time limits for each item. This will ensure that the meeting runs smoothly and that the goal is accomplished. Board directors can highlight and make notes on digital documents to increase their participation and speed up the meetings. They can share their annotations with other members to facilitate collaboration www.board-room.blog/comprehensive-market-guide-for-board-portals/ and enhance the quality of their minutes.