Online board meetings are a practical solution to non-profit board members’ busy schedules. Attendees can avoid traffic, meet deadlines and travel expenses. Online board meetings can be as effective with a few easy guidelines.

To increase the level of engagement it is important to employ tools that make meetings more interactive and lively. For example, using video to interact with attendees can increase engagement as it enables attendees to read each other’s body language and use non-verbal communication. Additionally, the ability utilize data management instant messengers in the meeting can help keep conversations going. Additionally, requiring every participant to announce their presence during the meeting will ensure that they are heard and noticed in the meeting.

The agenda should be carefully planned to make it clear what issues are to be discussed and the way in which they will be addressed. According to Nonprofit Learning Laboratories the agenda should have 20% fewer items in order to give more time for conversation and discussion.

A virtual format also gives new opportunities to those who would otherwise be shut out because of time or financial limitations. This allows for the board to be able to incorporate new perspectives and ideas that could lead to more informed decisions. Additionally, the elimination of physical barriers to participation allows the meeting to reach a broader audience. Board dashboards can also help prep attendees for the meeting and provide data for discussion.