Despite the COVID-19 epidemic, people continue to participate in governance meetings via the internet. While this may be an inconvenience for those who prefer to attend in person, it’s an excellent way for government officials to show their willingness to be responsive and engage with the community.
The primary challenge is to ensure that the correct technology for participation is in place and that it is supported by voice, screen and video sharing being crucial. Many organizations have resort to emailing out large amounts of best security features information that include attachments, or file-sharing solutions with folders that require to be downloaded, however these are not able to facilitate the structured processing of agenda items as well as the recording and distribution of historic information etc.
Another challenge is that it’s hard to engage in casual conversations that are normally in face-to-face gatherings. It is also an effective method of building relationships and trust. By opening the meeting early, and allowing time for informal conversations, or using the chat function within your virtual meeting platform, you can help build the relationships necessary for a solid and effective governance.
Governance meetings can also be an effective way to refine Roles and responsibilities as new team members join, existing roles change or new work requires attention. This can help ensure that these discussions don’t take over other meetings and help the team to be productive and efficient.