Despite the current pandemic, nonprofit boards should still meet regularly to take decisions. Virtual meetings are a convenient solution to increase the efficiency and participation of board members. These meetings online are not without challenges. Some board members may not be comfortable with the latest technology, while others have a limited understanding of technology.

Virtual meetings can also result in an absence of motivation and focus, particularly during long meetings. Attendees experience "zoom fatigue" and are easily distracted by other activities on their screens. It is essential to keep meetings short in order to avoid this. Be sure to clearly communicate the agenda and encourage the participants to take part in the meeting. You can also use polls and questions to keep the attention of the audience.

The inability to observe facial expressions or body language is another challenge of virtual board meetings. This can impact the participation of board members and the effectiveness of the meeting. To prevent this from happening, board directors should be encouraged to use video during the meeting to ensure that they are able to precisely discern the non-verbal cues of their colleagues.

The difficulty of recording and disseminating minutes of board meetings is an additional challenge. Recording the entire meeting is vital in the event that a member of the board is in a position to miss. It also allows future boards to revisit previous decisions and understand the reasoning behind a specific decision. The best method to avoid these challenges is to utilize a board management tool that offers a central archive of all materials for meetings as well as historical materials.