Several years ago, I listened as nine mid-level BPW leaders stood up and reported on their recent meetings. I gleaned at least nine great ideas, and one inspired this article. These ideas are as fresh as ever. Read through them, and think about your next meeting.
District One Director Marie Thomas organized a group participation activity, “Everything You Wanted to Know about BPW.” What basics would you like to refresh in the minds of your group?
District Two Director Angela Henderson arranged a fun parliamentary procedure workshop borrowed from state conference. The lesson is that you can find great programs anywhere, you don’t have to dream them all up yourself. What topics have you heard lately that you can adapt to your next meeting?
District Three Director Kelly Ogg planned a membership workshop from National Top Recruiter Linda Burns. What local stars are available to you? How can they share effectively at your next meeting?
District Four Director Carolyn Martin held a roundtable discussion on membership. A roundtable is a great way to get back to basics on an issue. You get input from the group, and the group gets more involved in the issue. What burning topic could you fire up with a roundtable?
District Five Director Carolyn Clemons asked the presidents not just to share at the meeting, but to send their ideas ahead of time so they could be distributed on paper to all participants. I’ll admit that this great lesson inspired this article. If you do this one, you’ll be getting people involved and thinking ahead of time, as well as learning where people stand before you enter the meeting. Great idea! Can you solicit input ahead of time for distribution?
District Six Director Nyla Goodin certainly knows how to hold fun meeting. She handed out folders, but they turned out to be empty except for a number! All the “ones” sat together and the “twos” sat together, to keep participants from sitting with the same friends they always sit with. They played games, had a quiz, put on a skit of a “model meeting” as well as meeting the full slate of business and reports. Could humor be an appropriate tactic for your group?
District Seven Director Lucinda Ray Involved all the members in her message to the Presidents. This is a good lesson. How can you ensure that you make everyone feel included?
District Eight Director Melinda Olbert’s group brainstormed fundraising, membership and program, getting many new and interesting ideas. Brainstorming is another terrific basic. Sometimes, though, we need to be reminded of our basics. Which topic should you brainstorm at your next meeting?
District Nine Director Jerry Jones used state officers to present workshops, to great reviews. Once again, the lesson is to use what you have available. You’ll be surprised who says yes when you just ask. So, who can you ask to participate in your next meeting?
With nine solid ideas in hand, what will your next meeting be like? Take advantage of this opportunity. Choose to make it great.
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
