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Making Meetings Work

How to Get Started, Get Going, and Get It Done

By: Ann M. Delehant

Foreword by Stephanie Hirsh

Are you attending more meetings and getting less done?

Offering a step-by-step planning process designed for principals, teacher leaders, staff developers, and trainers, this resource provides guidelines for determining whether to have a meeting, and for helping groups work together to make decisions and develop action plans. Demonstrating how effective meetings can sustain commitment and support, this excellent facilitation guide covers:

Planning a meeting and building the agenda
Considering innovative alternatives to traditional meetings
Using energizers for motivating groups
Determining "who" gets to make "what" decisions
Establishing procedures for efficient use of time

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Product Details

Grade Level: K-12
ISBN: 9781412914611
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2006
Page Count: 200
Publication date: December 04, 2006

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Description

Are you attending more meetings and getting less done?

Even with our busy schedules, meetings can be a productive use of time when we follow some simple guidelines. Based on her work with thousands of educators, meetings expert Ann Delehant's indispensable guide is packed with tools, strategies, tips, and ideas that fit the unique context of schools, learning communities, and instructional leaders.

Offering step-by-step planning processes designed for principals, teacher leaders, staff developers, and trainers, this book provides guidelines for determining whether to have a meeting, helping groups work together to make decisions, and developing action plans. Demonstrating how effective meetings can sustain commitment and support, this excellent facilitation handbook covers:

Planning a meeting and building the agenda
Considering innovative alternatives to traditional meetings
Using energizers and other ideas for engaging and motivating groups
Determining "who" gets to make "what" decisions
Establishing norms and procedures for efficient use of time

School leaders, school improvement and grade-level teams, and school boards will find this a dynamic resource to help groups work toward collaboration and change the environment and school community culture for the better!

Key features

Practical tools that lead groups through planning and running meetings
Focuses on making decisions and action plans
Based on Ann Delehant's work with thousands of educators
Contains innovative alternatives to the traditional meeting
Includes energizers and other ideas for motivating groups

Author(s)

Ann M. Delehant

Ann M. Delehant is a caring educator and committed training and development professional. She is an experienced facilitator and staff developer, with deep school and district experience. Ann currently works as an independent consultant, serving as a facilitator, coach, trainer, and change agent. She addresses a variety of topics, including systems change, collaborative teamwork, coaching, facilitation skills, effective staff development practices, data/accountability, and long-range planning. She is frequently asked to serve as an external facilitator, assisting teams as they develop strategic work plans, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and make collaborative decisions. Ann recently completed training to develop skills as a life coach and is a founding member of Coaching School Results, Inc.
is a caring educator and committed training and development professional. She is an experienced facilitator and staff developer, with deep school and district experience. Ann currently works as an independent consultant, serving as a facilitator, coach, trainer, and change agent. She addresses a variety of topics, including systems change, collaborative teamwork, coaching, facilitation skills, effective staff development practices, data/accountability, and long-range planning. She is frequently asked to serve as an external facilitator, assisting teams as they develop strategic work plans, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and make collaborative decisions. Ann recently completed training to develop skills as a life coach and is a founding member of Coaching School Results, Inc.

Ann is an associate of W. P. Dolan and Associates, a management and labor consulting firm that specializes in deep systemic change and collaborative work. In this role, she works with Dr. W. Patrick Dolan, supporting board of education, district, and union leaders who are committed to long-term reform initiatives. Ann has notable state and national affiliations. She is a senior consultant for and served as a Trustee of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and was a founding member of the New York State Staff Development Council. Ann received the NSDC Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

Table of Contents

List of Handouts

Foreword by Stephanie Hirsh

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. Planning a Meeting

2. Getting the Group Started

3. Running a Meeting

4. Making Decisions

5. Taking Action

Conclusion

References

Extended Readings

Index

Reviews

"Helps individuals who value people’s time and wish to apply effective management skills to meetings. Identifies the critical issues to consider when convening people for the purpose of working together. Offers an introduction and explanation for each issue and brings the explanation to life through case studies, and by providing ready-to-use tools and strategies to promote implementation."

From the Foreword by Stephanie Hirsh

"When I need a resource to make my meetings more productive, I go to this book. The stories and tools help me understand and implement processes that make a difference in the work that we do as colleagues and that ultimately affect student learning."

Jody Hoch, K-12 Director of Mathematics
Rush-Henrietta Central School District, NY

"Ann Delehant's work offers structures and tools that ensure that meetings are productive, respectful of people and their time, and result in high performance for staff and students."

Karen A. Anderson, Leadership Coach and Consultant

"Delivers just what the title promises; it is a comprehensive guide to planning and delivering meetings and evaluating their effectiveness. The depth of the explanations and direction of the book underscores the importance of really thinking about what we want to get out of a meeting and how to get there in an intentional way."

Principal Magazine, November/December 2007
National Association of Elementary School Principals

Other Titles in: Group Facilitation | Leadership

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