Group Meetings

To learn about setting up meetings, creating agendas, and taking minutes, see "Running Effective Meetings" at www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/RunningMeetings.htm. Or go to www.mindtools.com and click on "Communications Skills," then from the list.

Meetings are often dreaded by group members because they lack focus and appear to be unproductive. However, group meetings can be a great asset if they are planned properly and administered effectively. Learn how to have a great group meeting and then complete the activity

Preparation
  1. Give appropriate notice to those involved.
  2. Identify a purpose for the meeting.
  3. Include only people who are relevant to the discussion.
  4. Distribute an agenda before the meeting. Include the following items:
    • Call to order
    • Approval of previous minutes and treasurer's report
    • Unfinished business (specify)
    • New business (specify)
    • Announcements
    • Adjournment
  5. Establish start, stop, and break times.
  6. Set deadlines for follow-up actions.
During the meeting
  • Start promptly and end on time.
  • Use Robert's Rules of Order
  • Assign someone to take notes and write the minutes.
  • Use an appropriate discussion model
    • Standard agenda
    • Nominal Group Technique
Behavior to avoid
  • Hold unnecessary meetings.
  • Invite everyone
  • Let people dominate the discussion
  • Allow discussion to wander from the topic
  • Fail to act on decisions made
Meetings Links

Meetings and Conventions Magazine http://www.meetings-conventions.com/
Read the current issue to learn tips for conducting group meetings.

Interactive Activity

Quick Quiz


Small Group Communication | Interpersonal Communication | Teaching Resources | References


Content author: Tim Borchers, Moorhead State University
Technical questions: ab_webmaster@abacon.com
Interested in contributing to this website? CAlperAB@aol.com

©1999 Allyn & Bacon