Meetings at yunity are perhaps a little different to where you come from. The following is a list of general points that have lead to successful yunity meeting in the past
In general
- A 'meeting' is when people come together to interact in according to a pre-decided intention, format, time-frame, etc.
- A 'gathering' is when people come together around an intention. The details are not decided or are subject to change with the emergent group.
- If a meeting has a start time, don't be surprised to find it's started if you turn up later.
- If go to a meeting that's already started, don't expect the group to update you with all the information you missed.
- Do record the outcomes of a meeting: it allows people who weren't there to collaborate and supports a culture of cooperation. Can be as simple as noting and individual/group actions
- At the beginning of a meeting, remind participants of what they consent to by being there.
- Be open. Let people know all decided details of meeting in advance. When, where, how, why. This can be done face-to-face, using a recognized notice board or the wiki calendar.
- Meet now! All of yunity can never be in one room, it is not wrong to have a meeting that not everyone can attend.
- If you want to host a meeting, consider simply stating a time. This can be more pain-free for everyone involved and it is your doocratic right.
- You can make decisions within meetings with the people that are there. Make sure to note these down.
- If you are hosting a meeting, consider the intention and how to achieve it. Single facilitator? Two? Game to begin with? Feedback round?
- Encourage others to host meetings on where you normally would. Role rotation is beneficial on many levels.
- If you want meetings to be on time, do not wait if it frustrates you - start on time. People will quickly learn that when you mean x'o'clock, you mean x'o'clock and will arrive on time in future.
- People are not machines. Snacks, a nice location, breaks either side of the meeting, keeping meeting less than 90 minutes - all good things.
Morning round
A favorite at WuppDays, sometimes the only place that everyone can be together. The following is a template for how someone might facilitate a morning round incorporating the learning and wisdom of many morning rounds: how to participate awesomely, small talk aversion, separation of personal sharing and work organization, etc
- Good morning! *Big smile*
- The weather is (great/tornado/flood), perfect for (finally getting out the house/playing board games/doing manual work).
- How did everyone sleep? (One word shout-out/mime/etc)
- This morning round provides everyone the possibility to express themselves and think about their day.
- First we will go round in turn, each person able to say how their feeling or what they're thinking and after everyone has spoken people can make announcements.
- Take as much time as you need whilst remembering that everyone has the same right to talk. You don't have to say anything: you can pass or have a silent meditation.
- You can give a small nod when you're finished talking to give an easy way for the next person to know they can start.
- Would someone like to start? Don't be shy. (Look around, is anyone smiling? You can invite them to start.)
- ...
- (If people start trying to make announcements, remind them this is about their feeling and thoughts and that there is space for that afterwards)
- ...
- Thank you all for sharing. (Pause.) Now we have time to share any announcements for the group. Mmeetings, lost items, personal requests, workshops, etc, etc...
- ...
- (If people start a dialogue which doesn't involve whole group, tell them this and ask them to continue afterwards)
- ...
- (When it's starting to slow down) OK, are there any more announcements that everyone needs to hear?
- Thank you all for being here, have a great day! (move/leave the circle)