Using networks
Better ways to manage meetings
Cost-effective meeting management in the humanitarian sector
Authors:
R. Walker
Publisher:
Network Learning, 2005
One of a series of documents on improving day-to-day activities of humanitarian workers, this paper explores the management of meetings and ways this can be improved to be more effective and time-saving.
Meetings in general, but specifically in this field, are often considered to be bureaucratic and unnecessary. The author therefore emphasizes the importance of determining, at the earliest stage of planning, whether a meeting is actually at all necessary. An indeterminable number of costs and benefits ought to be taken into consideration, not least people’s time, the divisive nature of ‘office’ politics and further complicating matters. A clear purpose and expected outcomes are prerequisites to any kind of forum in this field.
The author details many options which would maximize the desired benefits and minimize the costs. Areas touched upon include location, the various aspects of meeting agendas, the role of chairpersons, documenting proceedings and noting actions points.
A list of helpful information sources is provided.
