Planning and Executing Hybrid Board Meetings

As boards of governing return to normal operations the hybrid board meeting is quickly becoming the norm. This new system allows nonprofit directors and trustees to participate remotely in meetings and also attend in person at a later date. This is a boon for many boards, as it makes it easier to accommodate travel restrictions and quarantine periods. Hybrid board meetings can be challenging when they’re not planned and implemented properly.

A key component of a successful meeting is clear communication between in-person and remote participants. Having a quality video conference system that is high-speed and fast internet is vital to ensure that both in-person as well as virtual attendees can be heard clearly. It find here is a good idea for participants in person to have their own audio speakers, and remote participants to be able to share their screens so that they can listen to the discussion.

The importance of having a clear agenda is essential. This can help keep the meeting on track and focused, which can be an issue if meetings run for too long. It is also helpful to schedule a break for the in-person participants so that they can reenergize themselves and remain productive throughout the meeting.

It is also a great idea to have a facilitator for every meeting. This is particularly crucial during lively discussions. It is easy for those who attend in person to overlook their virtual counterparts and not notice the difference that occurs when certain people are physically present and others do not. Facilitators help balance these disparities and keep the board focused on the most important issues in the room.