Start Meeting.
Getting your Chapter together for the first time can be a scary task. Remember, if you’ve put the right messaging out about the group, the right people will come. The young people in your group are full of talent, you’ve just got to give them the opportunity to use it!
Make Chapters Great?
To make your Chapter great, you need to create the right environment. If people feel included, safe, respected and heard, you’re off to a good start!. Remember – inclusion is a key part of what you’ll be role modelling to your school. It starts in your meetings!
A good way to get these expectations out in the open is to brainstorm a treaty. Grab a big piece of paper, some pens, and ask everyone what behaviour, commitment and environment they’re looking for in their Chapter. Hold your group to this treaty, and use it to keep those expectations out in the open.
- There is life outside of Chapters! Respect everyone’s time by running your meetings to time. Why? Because a team that feels respected is a team that will feel committed, and a committed team can change the world. A clear start and finish provides clarity. It draws people into firming up ideas, finding solutions and defining action.
- To get from A to B, you have to know where you are and where you want to go. So define B at the start. What is your clear purpose, aim or goal for this meeting? Once you figure this out, you will have a greater chance of arriving where you want to be. And then that purpose drives the conversation.
- When people respond to ideas with “no, but…”, the pathways to point B often start to get shutdown. So keep it positive and use “yes, and…” statements instead! Keep discussions positive by being positive yourself and by redirecting negative statements.
- You know that guy who does all the talking, rambles on, and you just can’t get a word in? Yeah, don’t be that guy. Not only don’t be that guy, but if you are running the meeting, don’t let others take the meeting hostage. Be mindful of people who haven’t said much and ask for their input. If someone is unnecessarily dominating the meeting, thank them and redirect the conversation.
- Everyone should leave the meeting knowing what needs to be done, by whom and by when. Finish by having a quick review. Go around the circle and have each person state the tasks they are responsible for.
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You’re a team now! There’ll be some ups and downs, these are natural. To find out more of what to expect of your team, check out the ‘Five Stages of Team Development’ download.
