The Strawberry Patch

Enrichment and Inspiration for Beta Sigma Phi Sisters from Marilyn Ross

	Guidelines for Running Effective Meetings
	1 -	Is the meeting necessary? Could it be handled with a letter or memo?
	2 -	Are you certain the right people have been informed of and invited to the meeting?
	3 -	Have you prepared an agenda? [It needs to be sent out to concerned individuals prior to the meeting -- between a day and a week ahead.]
	4 -	Does your agenda have time constraints?
	5 -	Are you certain you are covering essential material?
	6 -	Are you comfortable drawing discussion to an end when the allotted time has passed? [THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!]
	7 -	Is everyone clear on the meeting guidelines? [It may be necessary to send the guidelines prior to the first "restructured" meeting.]
	8 -	Are you allowing time toward the end of the meeting to design the following meeting's agenda?
	9 -	Are you familiar with the rules of parliamentary procedure?
	10 -	Are you enabling each individual to participate in the discussion?
	11 -	Are you scheduling follow-up evaluation sessions to check meeting effectiveness? [This may be done as "processing" for the last five minutes of each meeting, or by questionnaire with discussion at a later time.]
	12 -	As you organize meetings, allow for some flexibility in discussions, and for some humor in your meetings.
	13 -	Use creativity to add fun to meetings! A friend of mine made everyone at her Valentine's Day meeting feel good when she presented valentines and candy to each person! You'll be surprised to see how a small, thoughtful gesture of this kind can soon have everyone listening better and smiling during your meeting!
	PLAN YOUR MEETINGS CAREFULLY HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE HAVE A STRUCTURED AGENDA WITH TIME CONSTRAINTS KEEP PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE DISCUSSION AT HAND BEGIN AND END ON TIME HAVE FUN

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Guidelines for Running Effective Meetings