As governing boards resume regular operations and hybrid meetings are becoming more common. This new format allows nonprofit directors and trustees to participate remotely in meetings and also attend in person at a later time. This is an excellent alternative for boards of all sizes as it eliminates the need to accommodate quarantine periods and travel restrictions. Hybrid board meetings can be problematic when they’re not designed and executed in a way that is efficient.
One important aspect for a successful meeting is clear communication between in-person and remote participants. It is crucial to have high-speed videoconferencing that allows both in-person and virtual participants to be heard clearly. It is recommended to have a dedicated audio speaker for the in-person attendees, and www.itsboardroom.com/data-room-for-business-deals-and-how-to-operate-with-it to give remote attendees the possibility of sharing their screens to allow them to follow the discussion.
A clear agenda is crucial. This can help to keep the meeting on track and on target and avoid the issues that can arise when meetings are held for too long. Also, it is helpful to include a break for those who attend in person, so that they can re-energize themselves and continue to be productive throughout the meeting.
It is also a great idea to have an individual facilitator for each meeting. This is particularly crucial when there is a lively discussion. It is easy for people who are present in person to forget their virtual colleagues, and ignore the imbalance created by those who have physical presence whereas others don’t. A facilitator can help balance these disparities, and help keep the board focused.