Posted by Lisa Hochgraf
I recently wrote about the making of CUES' first-ever Web video announcing the Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge. Another important first took place late last month: The CUES Board of Directors met virtually, using iLinc, CUES' Web videoconferencing software.
"Board members liked being able to see one another instead of just listening on the phone," notes LaVonne Stodola, CUES VP/executive and HR. "They said it's important to have face-to-face meetings, but they appreciated the cost and time savings. Fred Healey said he has never been so comfortable reading his board meeting materials in his office rather than squished in an airplane seat." (Healey is CUES vice chairman/chairman-elect and president/CEO of $715 million Workers' Credit Unionin Fitchburg, Mass.)
Likewise, credit union board meetings are sometimes held by videoconference, assuming state law allows for this method of convening. I asked LaVonne and Rick Skorupan, CUES VP/information technology, questions I hoped would elicit useful tips for first-time videoconferencers. Here's what they told me. If you have more questions you'd like me to pass by them, please put them in the comments.
1. What did you do behind the scenes to make everything work smoothly for this first-ever board videoconference?
- Asked all board members if they had a camera on their computer.
- Scheduled test hook-up for admin assistants and board members and suggested an IT person at their CU be on hand the day of the testing and board meeting just in case.
- Sent all powerpoints prior to meeting so they could see them even if technology didn't work.
- Suggested they call in on a land line instead of a cell phone for better reception.
- Had board roster in meeting room to identify phone numbers as people hooked up and also had a cell phone on hand to call people who had problems/questions.
According to Rick, planning for contingencies and testing the system prior to the event was key.
- More/different microphones on our end for better audio.
- Maybe break meeting into two shorter sessions instead of one long hook-up.
"Considering we had board members in the meeting from the East Coast to Hawaii covering numerous time zones, the meeting went very well," Rick notes. The CUES Board currently plans to hold one meeting annually via videoconference, starting in 2012.
Lisa Hochgraf is a CUES editor.
