The spread of the disease, despite the desire of many board members to return to in-person meetings has forced us to continue to hold meetings online. This hybrid approach will not go away and boards have to find an effective method of conducting meetings for both in-person and remote attendees.

In order to keep meetings productive to ensure that meetings are productive, the chair of the board must to adhere to the agenda and provide clear guidance. Digital tools can help to speed up the process of meetings by making it easier for attendees to go through tasks more quickly. Furthermore, it’s essential that both in-person and remote attendees receive the same material prior to the time of the meeting. This includes presentations and documents that are used during the conference, as well as notes and information sent out in advance.

Prioritizing engagement will ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to hybrid meetings. To achieve this, it’s essential to make sure that the virtual platform is working properly and all of the necessary links have been accessed and downloaded prior the start of the meeting. In addition, having a designated staff member join the meeting and oversee these functions will allow you to identify and fix any issues in advance.

In the same way, muting the microphone when you are not speaking will cut out background noises and echoes. This will allow everyone to concentrate on the issue that is in front of them. Before the meeting begins, it’s a good idea for you to shut off any additional tabs, or to pause any videos or music. A board management program that is accessible will help make your meeting more accessible for people with hearing, speech and vision impairments.

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