| Meetings often sound,
look and feel the same. Everyone sits in the same chair, drinks the same
coffee, and says the same thing every time. Predictability and monotony
are the enemies of creativity. Adding variety to meetings can make them
more interesting and enticing to attend. It can also make it natural to
explore new ideas "outside the box". Here are eight ideas to
add variety to your meetings: 1.
Have different people plan and chair different meetings. This is good
not only for variety, but it also forces more members to develop leadership
skills. It's great for succession planning.
2. Hold meetings at different locations each time.
For a multi-facility organization, hold some meetings away from head
office and try field locations. You'll get to know the "grassroots"
better. You can even hold some meetings out in the sun (or rain), standing
up…
3. Change room setup and get people to sit in different
places every time. This will break down barriers and give members chances
to get to know people they haven't met or worked with.
4. Change the normal agenda sequence and see if it
works. One organization even tried a "backwards" meeting,
starting with the adjournment, and ending with the approval of minutes.
5. When it comes to complex or controversial issues,
try unusual discussion activities, to get people thinking "outside
the box". For example, get people to articulate the merits of views
they oppose. Their opponents will then give them feedback on how well
they listened.
6. Take time to celebrate successes and recognize special
efforts. Consider symbolic rewards for productive participation, like
"the velvet glove award" for diplomacy skills, or the "speedy
Gonzales award" for giving the most substantial content in the
least amount of time.
7. Have a few light-hearted stories (short and appropriate),
and tell one of them when the group has reached a major milestone. This
will break the continuity and add levity to the meeting.
8. Have unexpected refreshments and meals, to surprise
everyone and keep them interested. How about potluck, or taking turns
providing desserts, or trying unusual international cuisine? (but be
mindful of your members' culinary pet peeves)
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