• Introduction and broad goals of our organization
• Review of our key Objectives & Critical Success Factors.
  • What makes us unique?
  • What will make us successful?
  • What are our shared visions?
• Review of our Prior Goals.
  • Financial
  • Progress
• Goals for Next Period
  • Strategic undertakings
    • Financial goals
    • Other key efforts
• Reiterate key goals.
• Vote of Thanks and conclusion of the meeting.

Chairing a meeting

The chairperson is the most important person in the meeting. He or she will set the pace for the meeting, make sure that people stick to the topics, ensure that democratic decisions are taken, and that everyone is on board with these decisions. Chairing is a great skill and it is important to teach members to chair meetings and rotate the job where possible so that more people can practice this skill. However, it is always good to have an experienced chairperson for important meetings. The chairperson should introduce the topics clearly and guide the discussion especially when people start repeating points. When a discussion throws up opposing views, the chairperson should also try to summarize the different positions and where possible, propose a way forward. The way forward can involve taking a vote on an issue, having a further discussion at another date, or making a compromise that most people may agree with. The chairperson should ask for agreement from the meeting on the way forward, and apologies to those who still wanted to speak. Here are the basic steps for chairing a meeting: The Chairperson opens the meeting and presents the agenda.

• S/he should start a meeting by setting a cut-off time when everyone agrees that the meeting should end. This helps to encourage people to be brief.
• S/he calls on individuals to introduce or lead the discussion of points on the agenda and gives everyone a chance to speak.
• S/he also ensures that no one dominates discussion.
• S/he should try to summarize the discussion clearly restating ideas and proposals put forward. However, there is no need to repeat everything that has been said.
• S/he must be able to get agreement on what the decision is – s/he must ensure that everyone understands the decision, delegates to someone the duty of carrying out the decision, ensures that the person given the responsibility knows what s/he has to do and when it should be done and reported on.
• S/he ensures that everyone takes part in the discussions and decision-making.
• S/he ensures that the date for the next meeting is always set at the meeting.