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A. Make sure your group attends

1. Send reminder cards or e-mail and call to confirm.
   • Ask if they will attend.
   • Leave a message to return call if they will not be attending.
     
     
2. Show that attendance is important and noticed.
   • Have a sign-in sheet, pencil and name tags. Pre-print (carefully) names of those who agree to attend.
   • Keep an attendance record that is passed out at every meeting with or on the back of the agenda.
   • Greet all as they arrive personally. If impossible, assign others to do so.

B. Be totally prepared

1. Be responsible.
• Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes early dressed appropriately.
• Have an agenda at each place with any other handouts.
• Have your meeting notes with you and by-laws, if needed.
• Bring your own gavel and time clock if needed.
• Food and/or drinks will help.

C. Come to order on time

1. Acknowledge
   • Thank those who kept their word by being on time.
   • Ask for a time limited introduction (and mean it) to give each person an opportunity to tell what they want the group to know about them or use opening moments to review minutes.
   • Allow those who come in during the introductions to give theirs at the end-but not after the meeting has begun.

D. Give the purpose and guidelines

1. State the reason you are meeting and the mission of the organization.
2. If you have time limits on reports, communicate them.

E. Keep it moving

1. Follow the agenda.
• Keep participants on the subject.
• Keep track of requests to speak.
• Know and use Robert's Rules of Order when necessary.
2. End on time or early

F. Practice

1. Turn yourself on.
   • Get excited. Speak so all can hear and at a clipped rate. Sit and stand erect.
   • Use gestures, facial expression and eye contact. Be present. Have fun.
2. Be a leader.
   • Be polite, get total participation, and hold your opinion. Use humor.

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