Board Technology for the 21st Century

Does your agency act as if it’s in the 21st century?

Weather, travel, and disability can hamper volunteer participation in governance and service. What does your agency do to mitigate the effects and enhance its utilization of volunteer willingness to help and their power?

How do you use technology to ensure that the “meeting goes on” so progress towards your governance goals occurs?

Winter weather, which can be serious here in Wisconsin, is especially likely to disrupt meetings of agency boards and committees. Everywhere, bad weather can intrude on your plans. But weather is not the only reason to embrace meeting technology options.

Ask yourself: Is volunteer participation, inclusiveness of those with various disabilities, and keeping governance on schedule a priority for you?

Oddly, and counterproductively, it isn’t for many of the organizations I serve.

It’s not that I am advocating abandonment of face-to-face meetings. However many boards and committees still operate on the principle that out-of-sight means out-of-the-loop, out-of-mind, and out-of-luck for agencies that want to maximize volunteer value.

Why care?

• Many of your best expert advisors are the busiest. Help them fulfill their commitment to serve in governance and policymaking. Often they can attend a meeting via technology even when booked tightly or traveling.
  • They will find their volunteer experience more fulfilling.
  • Additional volunteer work is likely to be accepted when they participate fully in deliberations.
  • Philanthropic inclinations towards your agency will be enhanced.
• Seniors’ needs should be recognized and accommodated.
  • Meetings that start or end in darkness are problematical for senior citizens, especially those with cataracts.
  • Poor visibility caused by weather discourages many who recognize their limitations from driving.
• Accommodating those with disabilities is prominent in our missions.
  • Demonstrate it in our meetings, too.
  • Include them through assistive technology.

There are many technologies using simple conference phone capability, Internet video and audio, and “e-messenger” services. Explore and choose those that fit your needs and budget.

Remember, absent volunteers are not engaged volunteers. Keep them in the loop.