Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education

Organizational Development

Excerpts from the School Committee Manual

Tips for Running Effective Meetings
Reminders for the School Chairperson

1. Make sure that all Committee members have read a copy of the school’s mission statement and that they are clear about the goals of the School Committee.
2. Start and end meetings on time.
3. Provide a well thought out agenda, distributed in advance of the meeting, with allotted times for each agenda item.
4. Facilitate meetings so that discussions are focused, there are opportunities for open and even participation (i.e., it is not always the same people sharing opinions), and all items are covered within the allotted time.
5. Stay on top of follow-up so that there is progress between meetings.
6. Make sure that someone volunteers/is assigned the task of taking minutes during each meeting.
7. Distribute minutes between monthly meetings with an agenda for the next meeting and an invitation for adding to or changing that agenda between meetings.
8. Summarize progress and assigned tasks at the end of each meeting.
9. Make sure that ALL members feel that they are being heard, appreciated and that their opinions are taken seriously.
10. Thank everyone for attending each meeting and for committing their time and energies to the Committee.

Steps to Prepare for School Committee Meetings:

1. Carefully review minutes from previous meeting.
2. Check-in and follow up on assigned tasks.
3. Develop meeting agendas that reinforce short- and long-term goals.
4. Arrive at meeting place early to check in on seat arrangement and set up table (e.g., put out agendas, materials and refreshments).
5. Prepare materials that will assist members with their goals (e.g., synagogue calendar, copies of curriculum).
6. Prepare a folder for each Committee member and bring folders to every meeting.

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