That was a good meeting!

Good meetings are rare in many organizations. The purposes of meetings include sharing information, decision making, problem solving, education, planning, evaluation, and peer support. The structure of meetings flows from the basic function(s) of the group. Consideration is given to membership, degree of formality, limits of authority, and responsibility. Suggestions for successful meetings focus on establishing an agenda, sticking to the time schedule, appropriately using visual aids, and doing necessary post-meeting follow-up. Responsible and meaningful participation in the group process is an essential aspect of meeting effectiveness and efficiency. When all the elements are managed skillfully, the meeting can be GREAT.