Hybrid board meeting have many advantages over traditional in-person or remote gatherings. They can help non-profits overcome the geographical barriers, engage with an array of perspectives, promote inclusion and increase participation. However, they also have specific challenges that must be addressed in order for the program to last long-term.
As a result, it’s important to keep these issues top of mind when developing the strategy for your board meeting to come forward. You should evaluate your hybrid meetings in order to discover what works and what isn’t working. This will help you plan for the future and ensure that those who are unable to attend remain as involved as the people present in the room.
One of the most common concerns about hybrid meetings is that attendees in person are too loud, making remote members in the loop. To avoid this chairpersons should be thoughtful and organized when taking comments from members. Digital collaboration tools like online whiteboards can make this process more efficient and facilitate an even and balanced discussion that allows all members to be heard.
Another crucial aspect is ensuring that remote directors can be able to hear and see present attendees clearly. This requires top-quality audio and video equipment that is simple to set up for hybrid meetings. It should be available for all attendees.
It’s also essential to establish the mood for engagement at the start of an event that is hybrid by using checks-ins, icebreakers and warm-up activities. This will allow everyone to settle in and get into the flow of the discussion. It is also important to ensure that remote members have access to and can access all documents of the board prior to the meeting. It is easy to accomplish this if you use an online board portal that automatically updates documents upon addition.