Meetings, meetings, meetings
I'm sure you've been to many conferences and conventions over the years. Some are great. Some you just have to be there. Others you just don't ever want to attend again.
I was at an annual convention on Sunday which has followed the same format, the same procedures and the same results for 50 years. Needless to say, it's boring. Everyone comes to see old friends - so breakfast and lunch are the highlights of the day. Every year we are hopeful of better attendance than the last year and in the morning we get up to 80 people (out of a possible 400). However, as soon as lunch is over and the afternoon session reconvenes, the hall empties out. We all have so much packed into our schedules, and we know what will/won't happen in the afternoon session. More than 50% peel out to get home before dark or maybe get some yardwork done before dark. Stalwart members stay to support the convention, on principle.
This year, the refreshing consultation in the afternoon was around how boring the program is every year, and how much time gets wasted! It was a relief to have this undercurrent which everyone is aware of, brought to the surface with real recommendations for change. The consultation was productive, insightful and constructive. It was not emotionally charged and noone got defensive.
With real change, we can infuse the convention with real value to each member, increase participation and make every minute count. Otherwise, it's hard to justify saving the date each year any more.
In contrast, at our Toastmasters meeting last night, the officers were discussing the size of the group this fall compared to 6 months ago and what that means to how meetings are run. Toastmasters is so flexible and adaptable, you can run a meeting with as few as 4 participants and as many as 45 and still involve all attendees in the program. It's that flexibility and evolution that keep Toastmasters fresh and inviting bringing new members through every year.
I was at an annual convention on Sunday which has followed the same format, the same procedures and the same results for 50 years. Needless to say, it's boring. Everyone comes to see old friends - so breakfast and lunch are the highlights of the day. Every year we are hopeful of better attendance than the last year and in the morning we get up to 80 people (out of a possible 400). However, as soon as lunch is over and the afternoon session reconvenes, the hall empties out. We all have so much packed into our schedules, and we know what will/won't happen in the afternoon session. More than 50% peel out to get home before dark or maybe get some yardwork done before dark. Stalwart members stay to support the convention, on principle.
This year, the refreshing consultation in the afternoon was around how boring the program is every year, and how much time gets wasted! It was a relief to have this undercurrent which everyone is aware of, brought to the surface with real recommendations for change. The consultation was productive, insightful and constructive. It was not emotionally charged and noone got defensive.
With real change, we can infuse the convention with real value to each member, increase participation and make every minute count. Otherwise, it's hard to justify saving the date each year any more.
In contrast, at our Toastmasters meeting last night, the officers were discussing the size of the group this fall compared to 6 months ago and what that means to how meetings are run. Toastmasters is so flexible and adaptable, you can run a meeting with as few as 4 participants and as many as 45 and still involve all attendees in the program. It's that flexibility and evolution that keep Toastmasters fresh and inviting bringing new members through every year.
posted by Kerri at 10:23 AM
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