The Journey
         A newsletter for Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.  

How to Conduct Effective Meetings

Can meetings be fun while also accomplishing chapter business? Is there a way to ensure your chapter meetings will be well-attended?

Fortunately, the answer to both of these questions is an enthusiastic YES! By preparing ahead of time, you and your fellow officers can conduct meetings that are interesting, positive and productive.

Here's how to maximize your meetings and motivate members to keep coming back for more.

Food for Thought

Consider holding lunchtime meetings in which members bring a bag lunch or gather with their trays in the cafeteria.

Change of Pace

Offer a movie night with popcorn by showing videos from International Convention or Honors Institute, or a film that relates to the Honors Study Topic. You may also consider turning a Hallmark Awards work night into a pizza party, serving afternoon tea in someone's home, or hosting a Saturday picnic-in-the-park meeting that includes family members.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Consider varying the presenters at your meeting so that one person is not the only one speaking. When appropriate, invite guest speakers of interest to all types of students. You can easily create an atmosphere of enthusiasm by decorating or holding "theme meetings" to keep the membership thinking creatively and feeling good about themselves as individuals and bonded as a group.

All Work and No Play...

Remember to have plenty of "just for fun" gatherings for the chapter. If members sense that work is always required, they won't attend. Have events for entire families. Enlist one member to play games with children present to give their Phi Theta Kappa parents a break.

A Room with a View

Change the location of your meeting. Try a cozy off-campus location as a change of scenery from the same classroom time after time. For added fun, follow the meeting with a casual social event.

Remember to Share

Help everyone to feel involved by seeking broad-based participation in projects - have several team leaders in addition to your regular officers. Avoid  giving the impression that one person "or just the officers" are totally running the show. Encourage member participation in the meeting. Asking "What does everyone think?" rather than stating "Here's what we're going to do, like it or not..." makes a huge difference. Maximizing involvement creates excitement and the opportunity to develop leadership skills.

Points of Order

For official chapter business, such as officer elections and revising chapter bylaws, your chapter will want to follow parliamentary procedure. If you need to refine this skill, check out the book Robert's Rules of Order.

All Dressed Up...

Ask members to wear their Phi Theta Kappa clothing on meeting days to show their pride in the chapter and to help remind other members of the meeting.

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

Attach tasteful cartoons and humorous anecdotes to the more mundane memos that need to be circulated to members and officers.

We Are Family

Plan a joint meeting with your sister chapter at a fun location. After business is taken care of, share some fellowship time.

And the Winner Is...

Consider giving "Member of the Month" awards and having small door prizes, just for fun. Make attending meetings and participating so much fun that no one will want to be left out!

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
Center for Excellence
1625 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS  39211
800.946.9995