Many books are written on how to conduct a productive, energy-producing meeting. The key for the new principal, however, is to think well about what you want to achieve (including how you want the participants to talk about the meeting afterwards) and to plan in advance all of the steps you will need to take to achieve your purpose.
Steps for pre-planning prior to the meeting:
1. State your purpose in writing.
2. Plan meeting processes, step by step, that will achieve your purpose.
3. Draft an agenda complete with purpose, activities, time limits, assigned responsibilities, and desirable outcome.
4. Discuss your proposed agenda with your leadership team or teacher leaders and ask for input; revise if needed.
5. Prepare materials (both informational and process materials)
6. Set up the meeting room in an arrangement that will support any group work that is planned and any tools (projectors, chart paper, markers, post-its, etc.) that will help the meeting share and organize ideas.
7. Arrive at the meeting place early to greet participants as they come in the door.
When you make the effort to prepare in advance, your meeting will be focused, your participants will be more inclined to make an effort themselves, and you will be more likely to achieve your purpose. You will also raise the bar for other administrators and teacher leaders who hold meetings at the school because of your demonstrated commitment to ensuring that staff time is valued and used well.
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