Virtual Meetings
As we have discovered over the past three years, meeting virtually is not quite the same as in person. Yet there are some practices we could incorporate into our on-line meetings that would create a sense of connection with other attendees that, in turn, would enhance the experience of the meeting itself (actually, most of these are applicable to in-person meetings, too):
Do away with the waiting room. Let attendees in when they arrive. Encourage them to have their cameras on and mics and chat with each other. Play some music (keep copyright laws in mind!)
In your welcoming remarks, reiterate the purpose of the meeting/gathering.
Connection before content: Before getting into the agenda and the meat of the meeting/workshop,
in breakout rooms of 2 – 3, have people introduce themselves and answer: Why did you choose to be here today? OR Why is it important to you that you are here today? (or, What did you have for breakfast?)
if you have fewer than, say, 20 people, do this as a large group. Keep people to 5 words or fewer in their answers to the question you pose.
Keep slides to a minimum, if you really need to use them at all.
Break into small (3 – 5 people) groups often.
And finally: there is divided opinion on the use of chat. For some, chat is a distraction, like whispering in a live meeting. (As meeting presenters or facilitators, it’s good to have someone monitor the chat and Q&A, for that reason.) For others, chat is a great way to connect throughout the meeting (or workshop or what have you) with comments about what is being said. As host, YOU decide.
Whether in person or virtual, leave room for connection and discussion. Those will enhance the purpose of your gathering.
