Effective Meetings (continued)

Active faciliation strategies

• set ground rules, for example:

1. challenge ideas instead of individuals
2. start on time/stop on time
3. one conversation at a time
4. confidentiality
   

• appoint roles, for example:

1. facilitator
2. note taker
3. timekeepter
   

• use parking lot for items important but irrelevant to the issue at hand
  
• involve all participants at the start, for example:

1. 5-minute informal conversation
2. paird interviews
3. roundtable sharing of good news

• assign pre-meeting tasks (only if necessary), and

1. explain why it is important
2. give adequate lead time
3. provide clear instructions
4. emphasize need to complete it in advance
5. plan a process for using assignment at meeting
   

• separate presentation from discussion, and ask reflection questoins at the end, for example:

1. What points did you agree/disagree with?
2. How could the proposal be improved?
3. What new questions does it raise?
   

• use flip charts - tips:

1. write the words that people say if possible
2. share scribe role among multiple members
3. keep all information visible (hang charts)
4. clarify with team when you add your ideas
5. seek permission to paraphrase ideas
6. use color
7. print clearly