HYBRID BOARD MEETINGS

Richard Harman considers the pros and cons of hybrid board meetings which have become popular since the pandemic, and urges governing bodies to think carefully about what works for them.

Before about 2020 very few of us knew what Zoom was or how to use it. Now it is ubiquitous and many of us spend a good proportion of our working lives in meetings using one or other of the commercially available video platforms.

I am sure everyone will remember the viral YouTube clip of a parish council meeting featuring Jackie Weaver, the legendary Clerk who ‘virtually’ expelled a number of members for poor behaviour! And I am sure all of us have experienced the various forms of interruptions that video meetings are prone to – dogs barking at the door, deliveries arriving, cats walking across keyboards, partners strolling back and forth in the background, muted microphones, dodgy connections and so on. A whole new world has emerged for us to marvel at!

Between 2020 and 2022, many school boards could only meet remotely – and did a remarkable job of governance in the circumstances.

Given the easy access in most schools to reliable WiFi, and the improvements in technology seen recently, there has been a growing trend towards conducting board meetings in a hybrid format even now the lockdown restrictions are behind us. Some board members attend in person, while others participate remotely via video conferencing.

There are both pros and cons to this approach.

Amongst the pros is increased flexibility: hybrid board meetings allow board members to participate regardless of their location. This can be especially beneficial for board members who live in different parts of the country or world, or who have busy travel schedules. This, in turn, has eased a problem of recruitment and has improved attendance, which can only be a good thing. As boards seek ever greater diversity and the right blend of skills among their number, the option of remote attendance is a great benefit.

Reduced cost in terms of time and money is another benefit of hybrid board meetings. Schools can save money on travel expenses and the like, whilst governors do not waste time sitting on a train or in a queue on a motorway. In theory, this should reduce stress, although it is remarkable how other tasks can then fill up the supposedly liberated diary!

Some boards have even reported that improved communication is another unexpected benefit of hybrid meetings over the traditional entirely face-to-face events, provided the technology is good enough!

On the other hand, there are a number of possible ‘cons’ to hybrid board meetings.