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Powerful Meetings

What does it look like if the chair is being a bully?

By Ann Macfarlane | December 2, 2021

Guest post by Nicole Schenk Do you suspect that your chair is being a bully? Essentially, this occurs when the chair is not doing their duty to protect the rights…

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How can I start running better meetings with Robert’s Rules?

By Ann Macfarlane | November 9, 2021

For people who aren’t familiar with it, Robert’s Rules of Order is an intimidating book. That’s why we help make it easy for you to get started with the most…

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When can you bring up a new topic during a meeting?

By Ann Macfarlane | June 11, 2021

At a recent council meeting I attended, the city issued a proclamation honoring efforts to assist the homeless. In responding to the proclamation, a local pastor asked the council to…

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Disruptive members derailing your Zoom meetings? Use these rules!

By Ann Macfarlane | May 24, 2021

A client is running Zoom meetings for 300-400 members. Not surprisingly, the meetings are challenging! People fail to follow common courtesy, Points of Order are rife, sometimes discourse collapses. It…

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Are your meetings seven hours long?

By Ann Macfarlane | February 23, 2021

  This strange time of COVID-19 is producing some strange situations. We hear reports of local government meetings lasting far into the night, in some cases taking as long as…

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How disagreeable are your meetings? Take our survey

By Ann Macfarlane | February 16, 2021

We had some wild stories at our webinar on “difficult board chair or member.” One person commented, “Seems like Zoom makes all interactions tougher and bolder.” While the norm has…

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How to be objective about subjective comments

By Ann Macfarlane | September 28, 2020 | 4

  What can you do when your colleagues on a board or council say things that you find offensive? What if they are making subjective statements that hurt your feelings?…

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“That’s a bold-faced lie”

By Ann Macfarlane | July 27, 2020

  It beats me how people can say that parliamentary procedure is boring. An article about a recent meeting of Branson Missouri aldermen is full of interest (read it here).…

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Essential tips for effective online meetings

By Ann Macfarlane | March 25, 2020

  Moving your meeting online presents special challenges. Here are our best tips for success. Make sure you can meet this way. Refer to state law and your bylaws to…

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When COVID-19 cancels your meeting

By Ann Macfarlane | March 23, 2020 | 10

  Updated 5/11/2020   We’re having to adjust to a different world right now. In general, it’s always best to have an in-person meeting on matters of great importance. This provides…

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Blog Categories

  • Dear Dinosaur (26)
  • Effective Local Government (44)
  • Great School Boards (7)
  • Inspired Leadership (22)
  • Meeting Minutes (19)
  • Powerful Meetings (41)
  • Robert's Rules of Order (69)
  • Successful Nonprofit Boards (38)
  • Voting and Quorum (21)
  • Your Resources (13)

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Recent Posts

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Mar 23
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Live Zoom Workshop – Crash Course for the Chair

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Live Zoom Workshop – Difficult Board Chair or Member

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Jun 15
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Live Zoom Workshop – Great School Board Meetings

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