The outbreak forced nonprofit organizations to rethink the method they conduct board meetings. Instead of compromising the health and safety of staff and board members, some nonprofits turned to hybrid meeting formats that allow them to accommodate both in-person and remote attendees. Hybrid board meetings can be very frustrating for everyone if they are not properly prepared and equipped with the right tools.
BoardPro, a collaborative online tool that lets you design precise and efficient agendas, is the best method to ensure an efficient board meeting. An agenda that has specific goals and time limits for discussions can help your board remain on track and meet its goals within the time allotted. The software also comes with a number of features that make the meeting more interactive and collaborative, such as private mode, anonymous voting, and digital whiteboards.
Another important tool for the hybrid meeting is a virtual voting system. This feature can eliminate geographical and social barriers to increase diversity in your board while making it easier for all attendees to take part in decision-making. The BoardPro virtual vote feature lets you quickly and accurately to record votes online. It offers a non-disclosure voting option, so that confidential decisions can be made without compromising board integrity.
It is crucial to give remote participants with a technology that is simple to use and can enhance the overall experience. Certain companies offer self-focusing cameras, such as the Owl Labs self-focusing Meeting Owl. This automatically zooms in on who is speaking while displaying the entire room to everyone else. This helps make the meeting more interesting for people who aren’t physically in the room, and can help to reduce the feeling of disconnection that a lot of remote participants feel during a hybrid board meeting.