1. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Building Strong Chapters and Leading Effective Meetings Chapter Leadership Day June 28, 2009

2. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org What Is the Role of the President or Chair Meeting planning and preparation Facilitation of the meeting Assuring minutes are accurate and timely Seeing that the assigned responsibilities are completed Moving members toward participation and decision making Assessing performance

3. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Qualities of an Effective President or Chair Communication Skills –Demonstrates an ability to reach out to all members –Demonstrates desire and willingness to listen Leadership –Creates a positive atmosphere –Controls without dominating –Able to relate work to larger picture

4. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Your Role as Facilitator Facilitate; don’t hold court Guide, mediate, probe and stimulate discussions; let others thrash out ideas Keep members focused on issues, not personalities Keep all members involved; monitor participation Deal with dysfunctional behaviors Use well-laced questions, seek points of information and clarification and SUMMARIZE

5. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Role as Facilitator (con’t) Be sensitive to the feelings of members; look for visual and verbal cues Keep group focused on central question and moving toward a decision; use senior members first to express views Seek consensus, but unanimity is not required Recognize committee for good work at end of meeting

6. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Tips for Presiding Over A Meeting Start and end a meeting on time Review the agenda Determine if you want to call on people or just let people talk Restate issues before voting Put all issues to a fair vote; don’t assume Announce results of actions taken and explain follow-through Stay with the agenda

7. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Developing the Meeting Agenda Sequence agenda items thoughtfully –First items should unify –Items requiring mental energy, creativity and clear thinking should be early in agenda –Difficult topics should not be back to back –Build in breaks at least every 2-hours –End with an upbeat item Do not over schedule the meeting; provide sufficient but not too much time for each topic; CONSIDER A TIMED AGENDA Indicate if items are for discussion or for action

8. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Sample Agenda Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Secretary’s Report (reading of minutes Treasurer’s Report Communications Committee Reports

9. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Sample Agenda (con’t.) Unfinished Business New Business Program Good of the Order Adjournment

10. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Parliamentary Procedure Based on common sense and courtesy Intended to transact business efficiently, protect the rights of individuals and preserve a spirit of harmony Should be used as a guide for conducting meetings in an orderly fashion –Only one person speaks at a time –Each member has equal rights –Each item entitled to discussion –Decision of majority is upheld

11. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Thorough Follow Up Accurate minutes or summaries with list of participants Decisions clearly described Assignments noted, summarized Next steps spelled out, monitored Urge members forward with work: Inspire

12. Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Positive Leadership Leaders are pioneers. They are the people who venture into unexplored territory. They guide us to new & often unfamiliar destinations. People who take the lead are the foot soldiers in the campaign for change. The unique reason for having leaders- their differentiating function- is to move us forward. Leaders get us going to someplace. James Kouzes & Barry Posner