What? So What? Now What? Try this for more effective community meetings.

It’s a good thing I don’t gamble. I have a terrible poker face.

When I was in graduate school and we had lab meetings, my lab mates would grin at me across the table. Apparently, I couldn’t hide when I was bored.

It was pretty much the same when I worked for a big social science shop. Our department director was brilliant but oh my, those meetings went from one topic to another with no clear decisions made.

Later, when I started working with community coalitions and community-based nonprofits, it was a similar experience. Too packed agendas, meetings that went on and on, and little work done.

Is it just me or can you relate?

You may be wondering why your coalition members don’t seem excited or engaged.

Could more effective meetings help?

If you’re the leader I think you are, your biggest desire is to change your community for the better and you want your community partners to work together to make that happen.

You don’t just want people to attend the community coalition meeting.

You certainly don’t want them to leave asking themselves, “What was that meeting even about?” “Why was I there?” “What are we doing anyway?”

Your time and your community members’ time is valuable. You want the people you serve to be excited about your work together.

You are someone with a huge desire to make a difference and move your coalition to action. Effective meetings will get your community excited about being part of the change.

Here is one activity I often use when I facilitate a community meeting or training.

 I have a set of post-it notes that say:

• “What?”

• “So What”

• “Now What”

You don’t need to buy special notes to use activity in your meetings. You could simply ask participants to reflect on:

The “What” - the thing they learned they didn’t know.

The “So What” -  why this is important.

The “Now What” – what action they will take.

Then ask people to share their thoughts with someone next to them, share them in small groups, or share out as a group. Be sure and write down what people commit to and follow up with them. Nothing will kill enthusiasm faster then someone ready to work and then not being contacted.

Try this activity and let me know how it works for your group.

Take care- Ann

P.S.

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