RUNNING BETTER MEETINGS

 SIMPLE FORMULA FOR BETTER MEETINGS TO RETAIN VOLUNTEERS

By Del Albright

• Cardinal rule of volunteerism – don’t run me off with bad meetings!

• Poor supervision and lack of organization are next on the run-off list.

• Time is the most precious volunteer commodity.

• Rabbit chasing is best left in the backwoods.

• Following the agenda is imperative.

• Good meetings save time and make life easier.  

Use this simple formula for running better meetings.

 

CARAT – acronym applied backwards = TARAC.

T = TIME – start and stop on time.  Avoid negative reinforcement.

A = AGENDA – have one and stick to it.

R = ROLES/RULES – everyone knows why they are at the meeting and what are the ground rules.

A = ACTION – who, what and when; without them you wasted time.

Are action items SMART (Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic, Timely)

C = COMMITMENT – verbalizing the action by the doer.