CIS 422/522

Things you might want to do in your first group meeting

Set up an agenda in advance.
Agree upon a moderator/facilitator, perhaps a different one for each meeting. This person's main job will be to run the meeting, and will let most of the ideas and discussion come from the group.
Establish turn-taking protocols.
Pick a group name.
Figure out good days and times for people to meet regularly.
Set up an email list.
Exchange phone numbers, and appropriate times to be called.
Prompt for input, and then wait for response. Ask people what they think, and how they feel about decisions that are made.
Be patient while others are forming their thoughts before speaking.
Set a start and end time. Start and end on time.
Assign specific amounts of time to each agenda item, and stick to the schedule.
Make a list of roles (i.e. from the project assignment).
Take turns letting each person discuss their particular strengths, how they think they can best contribute, and what role(s) they would like.
Assign tasks.
Set up a schedule of specific deliverables, assigned to individuals, with dates attached. Decide how the group will confirm that each deadline has been met (i.e. what other person will verify the task is adequately completed).

A.Hornof 1/8/08