From Agenda to Zany Fast Effective Business Meetings

A Agenda Advance detailed background information reports

BBylaws Current? Minimum Standards Duties of Officers Required Meetings

CConsent Agenda Allows routine to be handled quickly To be effective should be sent in advance doesn’t permit discussion

DDuty of Care, Duty of Loyalty Loyalty means the board owns the decisions it makes the officers must act in interest of the organization they are expected to avoid and declare conflicts of interest

EEveryone Participates Don’t let people not have their say Seek out other opinions votes all count the same

FFinancials The board, not just the Treasurer is responsible learn to read your financial reports publish as required

GGenerations How does your board reflect your membership? Realize that time commitment /expectations may be different

HHomework DO IT.. –When you come on the board –before each meeting Join e-lists with other group officers Talk to your RVC

I Interesting Introduce new topics Feel a sense of accomplishment

JJokes & Fun Board meetings shouldn’t be BORED meetings Get to know your fellow board members early on have fun but remember why you are there

KKitchen FOOD helps all meetings go smoothly It is hard to argue with a mouth full of M & Ms

LLocation Try to have meeting in a location that is convenient to all Make sure facility is conducive to meeting

MMinutes and motions Minutes are formal legal documents of actions taken Other information is optional Motions clarify issue under consideration –I move that….. –Second allows for discussion

NNeutral The Ombudsman can help keep local group problems to a minimum The chair should refrain from taking a side on an issue

OOfficer Reports Submit in advance Put in writing Summarize action to be taken by the board Board accepts not approves reports

PPlanning Board should strive for an annual planning meeting Come together to determine goals Make assignments

QQuorum Take roll note who attends in the minutes

RRoberts Rules of Order Guidelines for effective meetings can be very helpful Can be overused and make things more complicated Give members a cheat sheet for mtgs.

SSchedule Once you schedule board meetings avoid changing the dates set regular date/time put in the newsletter

TTime Start on time avoid going over time if it happens regularly you may need a change in format Limit discussion if necessary

UUnanimous Doesn’t have to be the goal Offers the chance to get others to help own the decision

VVotes Elections need to happen via mail ballot. Recording in minutes LocSec/President voting

WWorking Board Understanding that the board role vs the committee role Try to have separate meetings if possible

Xextensive discussion Have a special forum for contentious issues limit time for each person before debate starts don’t allow person attacks

YYield to others Mensans have Opinions alternate sides come to compromise majority rules

ZZany Themes Toys prizes & games