How to Write an Effective Meeting Agenda

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:WriteEffectiveMeetingAgenda

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Introduction If you go to the trouble of planning and presenting a meeting to your staff, you want

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Introduction

If you go to the trouble of planning and presenting a meeting to your staff, you want to make sure to use their time--and yours--effectively. This method of writing a meeting agenda will help you accomplish that and help your staff retain the information given at the meeting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Steps

1

Step One

Head your agenda with the date, time and title or purpose of the meeting.
2

Step Two

Create a welcome message for your staff. An inspirational quote, a list of items to bring to the meeting or a list of tasks that must be completed prior to the meeting are good ideas. A quality welcome message will help to get your staff members engaged.
3

Step Three

Compile a list of topics you will be discussing at the meeting. The first item on the list should refer to the welcome message as this will make the message meaningful and purposeful.
4

Step Four

Approximate the time that will be spent on each item. This will help your staff determine the importance of each item and prepare to participate in the discussion if time allows.
5

Step Five

Include an "Open" or "Questions" item at the end of your meeting. Give staff time for feedback or to clarify information.
6

Step Six

Complete the agenda by adding a task for staff to complete or a question they must reply to. Remember to follow up on these tasks so the staff knows they are important.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Make sure staff members have the agenda 24 to 48 hours prior to the meeting so they can review what is to be discussed and properly prepare for the meeting.
  • Have staff members keep notes on agendas and keep them in a notebook or file for easy reference.
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