| Making Meetings More Exciting | Meeting Minutes |
| Parlimentary Procedure | Brainstorming & Goal Setting |
| Keys To Running Effective Meetings | |
Brainstorming & Goal Setting
The purpose of brainstorming is to encourage greater involvement
of members in the organization by allowing them to help create the ideas used
in a group. Using the method below allows the organization to get input
from all members rather than from just the dominating members that speak up.
Since all members participate in the formation of the goals, they are
more likely to be invested in the action plans developed to accomplish each
goal. When brainstorming, always begin by establishing the purpose of
the activity and acceptable behavior guidelines.
The Blue Dot/Red Dot Activity
- Divide members into groups of 3 to 5 (depending on the size of the organization) and give each group 5 sheets of paper and a marker.
- Give the groups 20-30 minutes to generate goals for the organization. Instruct them to only write one goal per sheet of paper.
- Have each group, one at a time, explain and hang on the wall each of their goals. Put similar goals near or on the top of each other on the wall.
- Give everyone 3 blue dots and 3 red dots (stickers).
- First, the blue dots: blue dots indicate priority. Instruct everyone to stick the blue dots on a goal they feel particularly strong about or spread them out among their top three choices. Give everyone time to distribute his or her blue dots.
- Note the red dots, red dots indicate energy. Instruct everyone to stick the red dots on goals which individuals feel capable of accomplishing, or on the goals the combined organization has energy to accomplish (may or may not be the same goal(s) selected for the blue dots.)
- Examine the goals that received a high number of blue dots and red dots. These should be the goals your organization focuses on for the upcoming year.
- At this point, form committees to look at each goal and write objectives for each goal. Remind members that objectives should indicate a plan for action and a time line for accomplishment.
- At future meetings ask the committees to report to their progress. Committees should feel comfortable enlisting other organization member’s help since all members agreed to the importance of selected goals.
VARIATION: Add another color dot for long-term
goals.
NOTE: This activity will also work when trying
to come up with ideas for programs, events, and social functions for your
organization.