--- title: "Daily Buzz: How to Run an Efficient Virtual Board Meeting" id: "50320" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-how-to-run-an-efficient-virtual-board-meeting" published_at: "2020-06-09T20:58:07+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T15:53:01+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/06/09/daily-buzz-how-to-run-an-efficient-virtual-board-meeting/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/06/09/daily-buzz-how-to-run-an-efficient-virtual-board-meeting.md" excerpt: "Keep meetings focused and to the point to avoid wasting board members’ time. Also: What associations can do to grow their membership during the pandemic." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Board Management" - "Leadership" - "meeting efficiency" - "Virtual Meetings" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: How to Run an Efficient Virtual Board Meeting These days, you’re likely feeling Zoom fatigue—and your board members are in the same boat. That is why efficiency is imperative in a virtual board meeting. “A meeting that has no direction can be unproductive and annoying—especially when the meeting is after hours for your ‘volunteer” job,’ [says a recent post (opens in a new tab)](https://www.yourmembership.com/blog/tips-effective-board-meetings-2020/) on the YourMembership blog. A meeting agenda will keep you from wasting time. Match the length of the agenda to the length of your meeting so that you can address everything important without going over the allotted time. “With virtual meetings, you might consider a few less agenda items as online meetings typically require repetition and clarification. The agenda should be focused on topics that support your organization’s strategic goals,” says the YourMembership team. You can avoid the number of people who need clarification by sending out materials in advance of the meeting, such as the agenda, minutes from previous meetings, financial statements, membership reports, and staff reports. Do this at least five days ahead of the meeting. “Good board members know their responsibilities and will read what you send them. Assume board members did their homework and reviewed the updates.” While the agenda should be focused, allowing for a brief period of personal time to connect with board members can be helpful. “Taking time to recognize how everyone is navigating through the changing times will provide your board with support and help build community.” ### Grow Your Membership After the Pandemic > Associations will see a surge in new memberships over the next three months, here’s how to make sure you’re part of the surge: [https://t.co/2Bhx5fDZ4c (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/2Bhx5fDZ4c) > [#associationfieldreport (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associationfieldreport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#associationhustle (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associationhustle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#associations (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associations?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#associationmanagement (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associationmanagement?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Big Red M (@bigredmco) [June 8, 2020 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/bigredmco/status/1270139829800534019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Now is the time to show potential members** what your association can do during times of uncertainty. [Moery Company’s JP Moery (opens in a new tab)](https://moerycompany.com/post-pandemic-membership-surge-association-field-report-june-5-2020/) tells the story of a trade association that produced content showing what it’s done to make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The result? Many new members [came] on board during the pandemic and economic crisis. Why? Because they are seeing the demonstration of what your association can provide to them in good times, bad times, and the worst of times,” Moery says. ### Other Links of Note **How are online communities making a difference?** Higher Logic [examines 28 stats (opens in a new tab)](https://blog.higherlogic.com/online-communities-key-facts-statistics-2020) from the latest *State of Community Management Report*. **Imagery and typography have a huge impact on a website**, [suggests a recent post (opens in a new tab)](https://www.gulosolutions.com/imagery-and-typography-the-intersection-of-association-web-design-success/) from Gulo Solutions. **How are organizations reacting to COVID-19?** *Association Chat* [tells the story (opens in a new tab)](https://associationchat.com/2020/06/05/where-do-we-go-from-here-how-covid-19-hit-one-small-company-and-how-they-are-hitting-back/) of one small company’s experience. (fizkes/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Michael Hickey](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Michael Hickey is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Tags: [#Board Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/board-management/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#meeting efficiency](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meeting-efficiency/) [#Virtual Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/virtual-meetings/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [TemplateMembers onlyOnline Event Cheat Sheet for HostFebruary 1, 2022](https://associationsnow.com/2022/02/01/online-event-cheat-sheet-for-host/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) - [VideoASAE TV Daily Recap: Final Day at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/24/asae-tv-daily-recap-final-day-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2020%2F06%2F09%2Fdaily-buzz-how-to-run-an-efficient-virtual-board-meeting%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !