Thanks for this important article. The challenges of holding excellent hybrid meetings are going to be one of the most critical aspects of the post-COVID recovery. I believe it will be the case that meeting participants will automatically expect to be able to select a hybrid option. Effective organizations will figure this out. I have already seen a wide range of quality of hybrid meetings. Set expectation high and they can be met!
Great article, Mark. As one who has struggled with hybrid meetings using the "group" approach, I look forward to building my experience with the "individual" approach.
Thanks for these insights, Mark. As the chair of a small nonprofit that is wrestling with these challenges, I find the descriptions of the three keys to success thoughtful and illuminating.
One area that I see as more gray is the comment around eliminating in room banter. For many, being in person is all about connection and belonging and the in room banter is an important element. Perhaps a tweak might be the goal of keeping in room banter to before and after the official meeting and during breaks, avoiding it during the meeting itself.
Thanks for the article! Hybrid is challenging to navigate while being inclusive and making sure all attendees can contribute. One thing that I think is most challenging in hybrid is how to not just have people attend in person & remote but also have everyone collaborating in person and remote.
I am on a nonprofit board and previously ran training programs for high schoolers. One recommendation I’ll share that I found helpful for me to facilitate collaboration successfully in a hybrid or remote meeting is MURAL in combination with Zoom. I liked the platform so much as a virtual collaboration space that I now work for their nonprofit team!
Thanks for sharing these ideas. We have been facing the same challenges and created practical checklist to make sure we don’t miss a small thing that can lead to a big ripple of someone not being able to fully participate. Hope this might help folks with some of the items you mentioned. Hybrid can be helpful… but it needs fine tuning and practice. https://www.seewhatimean.com/swimnotes/2021/12/30/hybrid-meeting-checklist
Excellent piece, Mark. I appreciated the technical details and personal experiences. Your insights into how to make remote attendees feel included are spot on. I’m wondering what are the motivations for people to return in person at all, especially if the meeting is structured like a individual “zoom” meeting. While I am eager to be with people again, if the meeting is the same remote or in person, I would likely stay home.
Alan Gellman, you make an important point about in-room banter. During a hybrid meeting it can make remote participants feel left out, but before or after, or during breaks, leaders should encourage these interactions as they enhance connections among those who are on site.
An informative and thought provoking article. I think these concepts and strategies here apply not just to nonprofit boards, but to many other types of groups and meetings. As with many other transformative changes, it is always about People, Process and Technology and the interchange of the three. Good to see that Diversity is here as a part of People and Facilitation considerations.
Denise, these concepts absolutely apply to other groups and meetings. Regardless of type of organization, good hybrid meetings will require some extra effort to do well—but those efforts can yield substantial returns.
Nice article Mark. You hit all the key points that should be considered in hosting Hybrid meetings. One element I find often overlooked when well-facilitated Hybrid meetings do take place - is ensuring that everyone attending the live meeting use the technology sitting right in-front of them, their microphones. You can lead a horse to water - but you can’t make it drink. The same seems to go for mics around a boardroom table. Try closing your eyes the next time you attend a hybrid meeting as a remote guest - can you follow along? If the audio is clean and clear, you will find you don’t necessarily need to see what’s happening on your screen to participate. On the flip side, if you can’t hear clearly- it’s almost impossible to stay engaged. The audio technology used in virtual meeting software often gates or cuts audio signals if they’re low or not direct enough (like a telephone) - this can be extremely frustrating when you’re on the remote side of a meeting. How often have you seen 10 mics around a board table but they’re always 2-3 feet away from whomever is speaking? Board Chairs and meeting planners, do your best to ensure that members at your on-site meeting pull their mic’s up close and speak directly into the them when it’s their turn to contribute verbally - your remote attendees will thank you for it later.
COMMENTS
BY Jim Heeger
ON March 2, 2022 11:13 AM
Thanks for this important article. The challenges of holding excellent hybrid meetings are going to be one of the most critical aspects of the post-COVID recovery. I believe it will be the case that meeting participants will automatically expect to be able to select a hybrid option. Effective organizations will figure this out. I have already seen a wide range of quality of hybrid meetings. Set expectation high and they can be met!
BY JONATHAN HUGGETT
ON March 2, 2022 02:46 PM
Great article, Mark. As one who has struggled with hybrid meetings using the "group" approach, I look forward to building my experience with the "individual" approach.
BY Alan Gellman
ON March 2, 2022 09:28 PM
Thanks for these insights, Mark. As the chair of a small nonprofit that is wrestling with these challenges, I find the descriptions of the three keys to success thoughtful and illuminating.
One area that I see as more gray is the comment around eliminating in room banter. For many, being in person is all about connection and belonging and the in room banter is an important element. Perhaps a tweak might be the goal of keeping in room banter to before and after the official meeting and during breaks, avoiding it during the meeting itself.
BY Emma Schnee
ON March 3, 2022 12:53 PM
Thanks for the article! Hybrid is challenging to navigate while being inclusive and making sure all attendees can contribute. One thing that I think is most challenging in hybrid is how to not just have people attend in person & remote but also have everyone collaborating in person and remote.
I am on a nonprofit board and previously ran training programs for high schoolers. One recommendation I’ll share that I found helpful for me to facilitate collaboration successfully in a hybrid or remote meeting is MURAL in combination with Zoom. I liked the platform so much as a virtual collaboration space that I now work for their nonprofit team!
Everyone can use MURAL for free and nonprofits can get a free or discounted upgrade! https://www.mural.co/
nonprofit upgrade: https://www.mural.co/nonprofits
Thanks again Mark for providing great advice for a challenge that many are going through right now!
BY Stacy Van Gorp
ON March 3, 2022 04:08 PM
Thanks for sharing these ideas. We have been facing the same challenges and created practical checklist to make sure we don’t miss a small thing that can lead to a big ripple of someone not being able to fully participate. Hope this might help folks with some of the items you mentioned. Hybrid can be helpful… but it needs fine tuning and practice. https://www.seewhatimean.com/swimnotes/2021/12/30/hybrid-meeting-checklist
BY Tali Ronen
ON March 3, 2022 06:08 PM
Great article, Mark!
BY Susie Sorkin
ON March 3, 2022 08:06 PM
Excellent piece, Mark. I appreciated the technical details and personal experiences. Your insights into how to make remote attendees feel included are spot on. I’m wondering what are the motivations for people to return in person at all, especially if the meeting is structured like a individual “zoom” meeting. While I am eager to be with people again, if the meeting is the same remote or in person, I would likely stay home.
BY MARK ZITTER
ON March 3, 2022 08:08 PM
Alan Gellman, you make an important point about in-room banter. During a hybrid meeting it can make remote participants feel left out, but before or after, or during breaks, leaders should encourage these interactions as they enhance connections among those who are on site.
BY Denise Peck
ON March 7, 2022 09:35 AM
An informative and thought provoking article. I think these concepts and strategies here apply not just to nonprofit boards, but to many other types of groups and meetings. As with many other transformative changes, it is always about People, Process and Technology and the interchange of the three. Good to see that Diversity is here as a part of People and Facilitation considerations.
BY Mark Zitter
ON March 7, 2022 01:13 PM
Denise, these concepts absolutely apply to other groups and meetings. Regardless of type of organization, good hybrid meetings will require some extra effort to do well—but those efforts can yield substantial returns.
BY Mark Kirchner
ON March 8, 2022 07:24 AM
Nice article Mark. You hit all the key points that should be considered in hosting Hybrid meetings. One element I find often overlooked when well-facilitated Hybrid meetings do take place - is ensuring that everyone attending the live meeting use the technology sitting right in-front of them, their microphones. You can lead a horse to water - but you can’t make it drink. The same seems to go for mics around a boardroom table. Try closing your eyes the next time you attend a hybrid meeting as a remote guest - can you follow along? If the audio is clean and clear, you will find you don’t necessarily need to see what’s happening on your screen to participate. On the flip side, if you can’t hear clearly- it’s almost impossible to stay engaged. The audio technology used in virtual meeting software often gates or cuts audio signals if they’re low or not direct enough (like a telephone) - this can be extremely frustrating when you’re on the remote side of a meeting. How often have you seen 10 mics around a board table but they’re always 2-3 feet away from whomever is speaking? Board Chairs and meeting planners, do your best to ensure that members at your on-site meeting pull their mic’s up close and speak directly into the them when it’s their turn to contribute verbally - your remote attendees will thank you for it later.