To Virtual, or Not Too Virtual, That is the Question
By Victor de Leon
COVID-19 has changed the way we engage on all fronts: personally, socially, and professionally. Virtual
meetings became the norm at the start of the pandemic and with not a lot of time for a well-planned,
phased transition, some of us suddenly found ourselves conducting online meetings, all the while
overcoming pitfalls and managing expectations. Now, a little more than two years since the 2020
lock down, we are slowly adjusting to a situation where hybrid meetings, meaning face-to-face
gatherings with a degree of online participation, are becoming the standard fare.
Condo associations have a unique opportunity to reflect on their pre and post-2020 engagement
practices and assess what has and hasn’t worked. We know our respective communities, but do we
really? Has anyone ever achieved 100% board member and owner participation in their meetings? For
those that have, take a bow. For most of us that have not, perhaps this is the time to challenge the
status quo and traditional practices and embrace new possibilities. However, it’s important to note
there isn’t a one-size fits-all model. For many people, the past couple of years have been intense and
most of us are all still adapting to this & new normal.
As we continue to navigate this new landscape, it is imperative to keep an open mind and exercise
patience. Traditional meeting and engagement policies should be evaluated, with the possibility of
drafting new ones. While we do this, it is equally important to strike a good and healthy balance. For
example, many of us are all too familiar – and perhaps even guilty – with the phrase death by
PowerPoint. We should be cognizant that this too can apply in an online setting, commonly referred to
as virtual fatigue, the tiredness, worry or burnout associated with the overuse of virtual platforms of
communication.
When establishing new engagement policies, take an inventory of your community’s and fellow board
members needs and limitations. Manage expectations, set healthy boundaries, establish best practices,
and prepare for the unexpected such as connectivity issues or interruptions from pets, children, or
partners. After all, we serve at the pleasure of the communities we govern and why wouldn’t we want
to provide our fellow board members and constituents with added flexibility and inclusivity via virtual
engagements?
So, if you have any doubts and wondering whether to virtual or not too virtual, just tell yourself, “Be the condo association you want”.
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