As board members return to meetings in person, hybrid board meetings are hybrid board meetings the new norm. This new method allows the flexibility of meeting in person and remotely simultaneously, reducing costs and increasing accessibility. If your business decides to go with virtual meetings, in-person meetings with remote attendees or both, it’s important to establish meeting norms and expectations to ensure everyone feels valued. The best way to accomplish this is to ensure the technology is working properly and clear guidelines are established for participation and establishing a clear purpose for communication.
Hybrid board meetings are not without their challenges, however. Some board members might be frustrated that they don’t get to be in the same room. Some may feel that their contributions are less meaningful because they’re not able to provide context for their peers. Meeting experts recommend taking proactive measures to support collaboration, including opening virtual rooms for social interaction before and during meetings, as well as during breaks, and using tools such as a board portal to centralize the work of your board.
Another issue that is frequently encountered is of varying levels of technical competence among board members. Some remote participants may not be included in the meeting, or their participation might be hindered due to poor audio or video quality or an insufficient internet connection. Instructing your board members on how to make use of the technology and ensuring they have access to dependable equipment prior to the meeting can help them navigate these challenges effectively.