How to Conduct a Borad Meeting Online

Online meetings are not the same as meetings in person however they offer greater flexibility for participants, and are easier to monitor. They also require a higher level of board etiquette and pose their own challenges. Here are some good practices to follow:

If possible, begin the meeting with a short video of all present to establish a connection in person with remote participants from the very beginning. This will also help prevent confusion when addressing any issues or questions. It’s a good idea also to include the agenda at the beginning of a meeting and encourage attendees to ask questions or comments throughout the discussion.

Make sure that audio and visual equipment is set prior to the meeting’s start, and test all cameras to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Directors should dress professionally and have their cameras ready. They should close any tabs which might be distracting, and beware of any glares from windows or other distractions. It’s also an excellent idea for directors to disable their microphone when they’re not speaking and use the chat feature of the meeting to inform the moderator whenever they have to get out of the video.

It’s easy for a Get More Information board to incorporate the opinions of all members in its decisions if it has an application for managing the board that includes voting/polling functions. This will let everyone feel valued and part of the team. It’s a good idea for the chair or other officers to remind everyone about the post-meeting tasks that are required, such as completing the board survey or obtaining electronic signatures.