Making Staff Meetings Work

Jennifer Anderson of Northwestern State University shared information on how to conduct effective meetings at the National College Media Convention fall 2006 in St. Louis. Here are a few of her tips:

Guard against unproductive meetings that last a long time, develop frustrations and are disorganized by applying effective meeting techniques such as:

1. Only conduct a meeting if it's necessary. Have clear objectives.
2. Invite your adviser.
3. All meetings must have an agenda.
4. Start on time.
5. Someone should take notes.
6. Decisions must be documented.
7. Ask for feedback about new meeting organization.
8. Always know what time it is. End at a set time.
9. Remember the main reason for meeting.
10. Praise in public, criticize in private.
11. Avoid using meetings to ruin reputations.
12. Keep personal and business distinct.
13. Make meetings fun. Organize contests. Offer prizes.

If meetings are dominated by a few people, pass out pennies to those people. Each time they talk, they spend a penny.

Check out www.effectivemeetings.com