Running Effective Meetings
Introduction
Meetings are critical opportunities for watershed group members to share information, learn from each other, and make decisions that will move the group forward. However, if meetings are not well planned or conducted, they can result in unnecessary conflict, lack of progress, and frustration on the part of group members, which can eventually affect morale and desire to participate.
While many watershed groups have a Chairperson or President who presides over group meetings, sooner or later most watershed coordinators find themselves in a position to plan or lead a meeting involving members of the public, volunteers, the Board of Directors, committees, or other groups. In those situations, you will find that good planning can make all the difference between frustration and progress.
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to a few meeting management tools and techniques. You will develop your meeting management skills by creating a detailed meeting agenda and reporting on a meeting in which you are a leader or observer.
Learning Objectives
After completion of the module the learner should be able to:
- Identify several key steps involved in planning a meeting.
- Identify the elements of an effective meeting.
- Develop a detailed meeting agenda.
Background Readings
Required:
- Kaner, S. (1996). Designing Realistic Agendas In Kaner S., Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision Making (pp. 123-138). Gabriola Island: BC, Canada. New Society Publishers.
- OSU Extension Factsheets on effective meetings. http://ohioline.osu.edu/lc-fact/0001.html [Making Meetings Manageable]
http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/1555.html [Planning and Conducting Effective Public Meetings]
http://ohioline.osu.edu/lc-fact/0002.html [Participating in Meetings] - Mind Tools (2007). Running Effective Meetings.
www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/RunningMeetings.htm
Additional Resources