Tips and Tricks to Spice Up Virtual Meetings

by Lisa Davis - June 3, 2021

Virtual meetings often save time and money but present challenges in keeping participants engaged. In the latest Leadership Lunch and Learn, Dr. Kristi Farner, program and state development specialist at the University of Georgia Extension, shared her insights on engaging participants online.

The session's agenda covered:

• Getting a pulse on your audience
• Ice breakers and energizers
• Expectations and ground rules
• Connecting to participants

View a recording here.

In addition, she shared several helpful tools and resources to ramp up online meetings:

• Virtual meeting icebreakers. A compiled list of suggestions for ice breakers.
• Digital tools and resources for online engagement. Tools and resources compiled to assist 4-H staff in virtual program delivery efforts.
• Facilitator notes. A comprehensive template and timeline for producing online meetings.
• Tips for successful virtual facilitation. Tips to convert in-person meetings or programs to virtual sessions.
• Virtual facilitation resources. A list of online software/tools available to engage online meeting participants.

The next Lunch and Learn session will be on time management. Julianne Dunn, an instructor in the Community, Professional and Economic Development unit of Arkansas' Extension, will lead the June 30 session. The Lunch and Learn series starts at 12:15 p.m. ends by 1 p.m. 

For more information about the webinar leadership series, contact Julie Robinson at jrobinson@uada.edu or Lisa Davis at ldavis@uada.edu.