Tips for Hybrid Board Meetings
Many board members of non-profit organizations are now adopting hybrid meeting options due persistent concerns about the spread of disease to in-person gatherings. It is crucial for organizations that choose to adhere to a hybrid model over the long haul to put a premium on engagement and provide top-quality virtual experiences to their guests. Here are some guidelines for achieving this:
Start off the meeting with icebreakers or check-in activities. This helps attendees to connect over their screens and feel as if they’re part of the same conversation.
Use a top video conferencing software that includes more than just meeting tools and audio. Choose a software that has accessibility features like dyslexia-friendly fonts or text-to-speech so that all your meeting attendees can participate fully without any barriers.
Consider using a whiteboard with a digital interface such as Mural or Miro that allows remote and in-person participants to work in real-time during the meeting. This will enable all participants to see each other and collaborate as well as creating documentation that makes synchronous follow-up much easier.
Set time limits for comments that are made by in-person attendees and remote participants as you work through a specific topic. This will help to keep from getting off topic or spending too much time discussing one topic. This will help keep meetings focused and productive. For the best results, it’s important for the board chair to be present during the meeting and encourage participation from all participants. The board chair should also actively solicit feedback and communicate with the audience, particularly introverted attendees to ensure that everyone feels heard.