Facilitating Effective Meetings Tips

Effective Meeting Facilitation Tips:

1. Start On Time
2. Use an agenda
3. Introduce new attendees
4. Old business
5. New business
6. Take attendance
7. Use ground rules for member behavior
8. Understand various types of member behavior, for example:

Interrupter – never lets anyone finish

Knitter – role is to not pay attention

Side Talker – constantly discussing other topics with neighbor

Observer – silent one does not speak or become visibly engaged with meeting purpose.

9.  Parliamentary procedure
10. Focus on interests instead of postures to develop consensus.
11. Ask questions
12. Paraphrase
13. Summarize
14. Restate purpose
15. Poll for consensus
16. Parking lot – park issues on flip chart that cannot be resolved or that take too long.
17. Remain neutral as chair
18. Use note taker

More Resources:

Running Effective Meetings

Conducting Effective Meetings For Dummies

Conduct Effective Meetings – Knowledge Solutions

Planning and Facilitating Effective Meetings – US NOAA

Toastmaster’s Meeting Resources

Dialog Guide – US Dept of Ed