Engaging and Active MeetingsA guide for participants and facilitators

Julie Black, Ed.M.

Photo: Steve FairAugust 3, 2012

“It’s supposed to be hard.

If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it.

The hard is what makes it great.”

Tom Hank’s character in A League of Their Own

Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images SportFeb. 19, 2006

Irma! High five!

That meeting was incredible!

How did you do it?

Come prepared.

Be supportive of other participants and the facilitator.

Actively participate.

You arrive late? You arrive early?

The meeting room is dirty and there are not enough seats for participants?

You prepare the meeting space ensuring it is clean and arranged for the meeting?

You inconsistently follow an agenda?

You begin on time and follow the agenda?

You tune in and out of participant’s updates?

You are clearly present and actively engaged?

You don’t follow up on “action items” from previous meetings?

You follow a thoughtful agenda and follow up on “action items” from previous meetings as well as finishing each meeting with a recap of “action items” developed during the current meeting?

What is the purpose?

Who are the participants?

How do I produce the ideal environment to achieve the purpose of this meeting?

Welcome everyone.

Thank you for coming.

We are here today to...

And here’s how we’re going to do it…

Come prepared.

Are supportive of other participants and the facilitator.

Actively participate.

Photo: Jeff ChristiansenMay 9, 2006

Questions?Thank you!