Tips on Making Organizational Family Meetings More Interesting and Enjoyable

Many organizational meetings where family members are also present are marked by a significant lack of caring and imagination on the part of the organizers. Lack of caring for the sufferings of their spouses and children who are made to sit through long winded speeches. Lack of imagination on how to make meetings more effective and interesting. What an absolute waste of time, money and energy!

Let us explore a few creative tips on how to make these meetings interesting and proactive!

Tip # 1: The KISS Principle: Keep it short and sweet. Agenda of the meeting should specify exact timings for each item and stick to it.

Tip # 2: Have a master of ceremony to help the chairman control the meeting and make the meeting more lively and interactive.

Tip # 3: As far as possible, leave the business discussions of the organizations to business meetings. The president or secretary can update the members on the essential activities and special announcements in between as the meeting progresses.

Tip # 4: If it is an annual meeting and some speeches and reports are unavoidable, sprinkle them in between the entertainment or cultural programs. There is no need for the stoic and frozen presence of the whole panel of office bearers and guest speakers on the dais.

Tip # 5: Do not exceed the half an hour limit for organizational matters during the family meetings. The lesser the better!

Tip # 6: The felicitations by leaders of sister organizations or neighboring chapters should be interspersed between the cultural events.

Tip# 7: Conduct the programs by and for the kids in the beginning itself. Give preference to those who are dressed up for dances.

Tip # 8: The master of ceremony should collect snippets of information about members and their families like birthdays, special occasions and achievements and announce these during the events.

Tip # 9: Interactive games are a must for family gatherings. Do not just be satisfied with individual performances from a few members. Involve those members who are introvert and try to bring out their special talents.

Tip # 10: Keep lots of prizes for the participants. Give a number of spot prizes (highest number of keys, credit cards, money in husbands purse etc). Give welcome presents and colorful balloons or balls to kids.

Sprinkle a little care here and a spot of planning there so there will never be a dull moment again during our family and other organizational meetings!