Virtual Resources for Student Organizations

Updated 5/21/2021

Hosting Virtual Meetings

Platforms to Use to Virtualize Organization Business, Meetings, and Events

Host Virtual Meetings:

• *Zoom
• WebEx
• Google Meet
• Microsoft Teams

*As far as Student Engagement is aware, Zoom is the only online platform that allows users to show their preferred names and/or pronouns. Unless you have a pro license, Zoom limits group meetings to 40 minutes.

Work Collaboratively Online:

• CyBox

• Google Drive

• Microsoft Teams

Communicate With Your Members:

• FaceTime or Video Chat

• GroupMe

• Conference Calls

• Social Media Groups/Pages

• Apps like Discord, Houseparty or Slack.

Virtual Activities To Do Together as a Club

• Host a Virtual Meal or Coffee Break

• Build a Tournament Bracket

• Netflix Party

• Make an Instagram Story Game

• Host a Virtual Game Night

• Create a Virtual Trivia Game

• Play Virtual Board Games

• Play Online Jackbox Games

Virtual Officer Elections and Transitions

Elections

• Organizations should first consult their constitution and adviser for direction on how and when to have elections. Most constitutions do not contain a step-by-step guide for virtual elections, but it will provide you with some guidance (when, percentages of votes, secret ballot, etc.).

• Use online tools to have meetings and conduct voting. Use any of the resources listed above, or develop your own form or ballot system

• When making any decision that changes the time, method, or other detail of the election process, it is important to communicate this well in advance and seek buy-in from your members. 

• Keep good records of the processes and communications in the event of a future dispute over the results.

• If speeches are part of your process, consider having members record and submit these in advance. 

Transitions

Make sure you are setting up times and methods for communicating the year's success and challenges! Successful organizations create ways to share information from one leadership group with the next. Transition meetings or documents are a great way to pass on critical information to help new officers learn.

Use the Leadership and Service Center's Virtual Officer Transition Guide as you transition officers! Check out these documents to help you through your transitions:

• Transition Document Template

• Incoming Officer Reflection Worksheet

• Transition Meeting Guiding Questions

• New Officer Goal Setting Worksheet

• Officer Transition Checklist

Best Practices for Managing an Organization Virtually

• Meet virtually on a regular basis 

• Meet regularly with your adviser virtually for support

• Establish a communication plan with your exec team, adviser, and organization

• Build community with your organization members with online group activities

• Maintain an online social media presence as an organization

• Keep consistent routines as much as possible

• Recognize your members and their accomplishments virtually (spotlights, virtual awards, etc.)

• Set plans and timelines for growing and improving your organization

• Ask for help when you need it - Student Engagement is here for you!

Other Tips for Leading an Organization Virtually

• Update Your Organization's Website and Social Media Pages - Stay Active Online! 

• Review Trainings on the Student Organization Database

• Review and Update Your Organization's Documents and Database Information

  • Constitution Guidelines

  • Operations Manual Guidelines

  • Student Organization Database FAQs

• Create New Goals and Objectives For Your Organization

Ask Student Engagement

Tell us how we can help! Ask questions, give comments, and share your concerns on our Ask Student Engagement page. 

Once you submit, a Student Engagement consultant will respond to your questions via email as soon as we possibly can! Hang in there, we're here to help!