Planning the 10-Minute Building Meeting

MINUTES
TOPIC
RATIONALE

2 MINUTES:

(minutes 1-2)

 Brief overview of major topics discussed at last month's Rep Council meeting. We're keeping members informed. We try to reduce the hush-hush attitude so often prevalent during negotiations. Keeping members informed is not a matter of how much they are told. Rather, it's a matter of their feeling that leaders are working hard and regularly to inform them.

4 MINUTES:

(minutes 3-6)

 Here is a current issue. We need your consensus before we go to the next Rep meeting, where we shall submit your collective views. The mere process of getting members' consensus reinforces in the member's mind that his/her opinion is actively sought and subsequently presented to the voting body. The rep who neglects this step is asking for mistrust and hostility from members.

3 MINUTES:

(minutes 7-9)

 A 3-minute review of a current issue that is close to the heart, soul and guts of members in the building. This may not be the burning issue to come up at the Rep meeting, but members need to feel that the Assoc. is conscious of a currently felt need of theirs. We could fill up these minutes with "important" matters, but the individual members need to feel some relief on a topic that touches his/her. Often just talking about a problem gives considerable relief.

1 MINUTE:

(minute 10)

 We're having some success in this area, or, we're optimistic in this area - thanks to YOUR efforts. Keep up the good work.

Praise. Encourage. Nourish the members toward developing a spirit of cautious optimism. An "all is lost" attitude, culminating in "I give up" too often kills support for Association goals, especially during negotiations.
"Time's up! We told you we could do it in 10 minutes! Don't forget to leave your Questions and Suggestions at the door"