Editorial advisory board virtual meetings

A recent discussion on the International Academy of Nursing Editors (INANE) email update list revealed editors' experiences with virtual meetings. The was reminiscent a distance school nursing education program study published years ago using teleconferencing.1 reported uptake course objectives and use teleconference strategy. Students were in place at university across state. syllabus contained weekly guide topical content, reading material, for week. class began an introduction presentation from faculty, followed by discussion. protocol included speakers introducing themselves before speaking intent to become familiar all members. preceded online program. assessment adoption new strategies evaluated that adopted similarly among students regardless mode content delivery. experience teleconferencing learners few issues. satisfaction format short They pace needed be slower allow ample time There some dissatisfaction technology students—they it bothersome required introduce speaking.1 That evaluation provides direction editorial board advisory meeting assessments editors. Consider: What is purpose expected outcomes? How do participants rate meeting? Journal School Editorial Advisory Board Panel meetings are held throughout year have several purposes. For example, first (one hour length) introductory serves as orientation role Another hour-long scheduled select winners writing awards. To prepare this meeting, members nominated authors' work specific criteria. ratings discussed award decisions finalized. facilitate participation members, two times scheduled, thus editor conducts 10 (from 2010 spring 2020), these online, National Association Nurses subscription GoToMeeting. Europe, Africa United States so we had mindful zones world.2 Considering that, series 9 am, Pacific time. Prior June 2020, third in-person during annual conference. It 4–5 hours length meal snacks. agenda issues arising year, such recruitment retention reviewers, frequency declined review invitations, response requested reviews. At face-to-face there lively lots great ideas advice generated. one member recommended shortening stated turnaround suggesting people wait until reminder sent out—so, give them less send out sooner! We also letters received editor, responses crafted Board. This came up recently when shared private she about number non-nurse, interprofessional authors journal. letter writer concern focus journal might lost. eager respond issue. Unfortunately, author invitation publish subsequent board. An interesting opportunity missed. Discussion issue, prevent re-occurrence next meeting. continuing problem exclusion particularly those who live outside States, because travel expense. option not available primarily logistics expense set hotel conference room. Still, international provide important perspectives health research implications benefit readers apparent editors reviewers. involve full participants. Now readily affordable services, inclusion can offered future. Because COVID-19 pandemic, year's virtually, Annual Conference postponed. From experience, learned deal. With any platform GoToMeeting, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom, risk technical difficulties.3, 4 screen sharing feature many platforms requires practice bit know-how. person has host co-host able share their screen.5 recognize expertise may equal, you should consider if provided advance. minimize difficulties prepare. Ideally, manage feature, you, lead Virtual technologies offer recording functions viewed later cannot attend. Of course, watching being participate same participant, but better than attending all! Conducting dry run help avoid annoying connection delays stressed busy members.6 Like education, require careful planning. geographic distribution will your scheduling options.2 You check advance Try anticipate plan accordingly. Agendas materials Many suffering “Zoom fatigue,” more frequent, shorter alternative consider.3, 7 While reports Zoom attendees continually “on camera” intrusive, others complain posting one's photo break indicates disengagement. Negotiating camera allowing cameras off alleviates tension fatigue.3 Keep mind having camera/video uses bandwidth. If problems “freezing” ask turn off. Likewise, best mute microphones unless they speaking. eliminates background noise feedback. As choose shape space just would Lighting arranged face clearly visible participants.6 eye-level looking straight ahead into camera. down low bottom (a notorious certain older Dell computers8), then prop computer books get right place. Sit close enough head shoulders fill screen.9 Similar preparing room prior tidy uncluttered.9 Consider where sitting what's behind necessary. possible, sit space/room family colleagues, co-workers walking state déshabillé. encourage open 15 minutes early prompt casual conversation log in.6 Start asking how doing ice-breaker activity.10 Online assigning different “rooms” collaborate suited smaller group; report larger group. lengthy overviews getting heart meeting.6 Follow keep moving. These practices meetings—just things don't change. standards still apply. opportunities leaders “read” participants, necessitated communication approaches stimulate our creativity. Preparations hosting efficient, engaging, cost-effective must carefully, start time, stick agenda, promote collaboration. All crises accelerate innovation, pandemic permanently changed business accomplished. Going forward, lessons mastering enhance inclusivity, flexibility, participation, productivity virtually in-person. Julia Muennich Cowell, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC (Ret), FNASN, FAAN Professor Emerita, Rush University College Editor Nursing. Martha Dewey Bergren, DNS, NCSN, PHNA-BC, FASHA, Illinois Chicago Editor,